The humble one is never hated, is not hurt by words or despised. But because he loves his Lord, he is loved by all. He loves everyone, and everyone loves him. He is pleasing to everyone and to any place he would go he is welcomed as an angel of the light and honours are paid to him. The sage and teacher, if they were to talk, they would be forced to remain silent in the front of the humble one. They would ask him to speak. All eyes would watch him, waiting for him to say a word. And everybody would expect his word, as of God’s word. His speech is as short as the Sophists, who put their thoughts to test. His words are sweeter for the ears of the wise than honeycomb for the throat.

(Translated from Sfântul Isaac Sirul, Cuvinte despre nevoință, Editura Bunavestire, Bacău, 1997, pp. 98-99)