The Art of Happiness

everyone who insulted him. When thisperiod of trial was over the Master said tohim, “Now you can go to Athens and learnWisdom.” When the disciple was enteringAthens, he met a certain wise man who satat the gate insulting everybody who cameand went. He also insulted the disciple,who burst out laughing. “Why do youlaugh when I insult you?” said the wiseman. “Because,” said the disciple, “forthree years I have been paying for thiskind of thing and now you give it to me fornothing.” “Enter the city,” said the wiseman, “it is all yours ...”Th e fourth-century Desert Fathers, an assortmentof eccentric characters who retired to the desertsaround Scete for a life of sacrifice and prayer,