[1] St. John, the Abbot of Sinai wrote "Paul the Simple was a clear example for us, for he was the rule and type of blessed simplicity.

The account of his life is found in Palladius of Helenopolis De Vitis Patrum 8,28 and Tyrannius Rufinus Historia Eremitica 31.

Paul was a farmer who, at the age of sixty, discovered that his beautiful wife was having an affair and so left her to become a hermit.

Anthony responded by saying it would be quite impossible for a man of sixty years to adopt such a radical life style.

"[3] St. Anthony continued to test Paul's endurance and humility through hard work, severe fasting, with nightly vigils, constant singing of Psalms and prostrations.