43. (24). And in my judgement the first and greatest miracle that he exhibited was himself.[586] For to say nothing of his _inner man_,[587] the beauty and strength and purity of which his habits and life sufficiently attested, he so bore himself even outwardly in a uniform and consistent manner, and that the most modest and becoming, that absolutely nothing appeared in him which could offend the beholders. And, indeed, _he who offends not in word, the same is a perfect man_.[588] But yet in Malachy, who, though he observed with unusual care, ever detected, I will not say an _idle word_,[589] but an idle nod? Who ever knew his hand or his foot to move without purpose? Yea, what was there that was not edifying in his gait, his mien, his bearing, his countenance? In fine, neither did sadness darken nor laughter turn to levity the joyousness of his countenance.[590] Everything in him was under _discipline_, everything a mark _of virtue_, _a rule_[591] of perfection. Always he was grave, but not austere. Relaxing at times, but never careless; neglecting nothing, though for a time ignoring many things. Quiet often, but by no means at any time idle.[592] From the first day of his conversion to the last of his life, he lived without personal possessions.[593] He had neither _menservants_ nor _maidservants_,[594] nor villages nor hamlets, nor in fact any revenues, ecclesiastical or secular, even when he was a bishop. There was nothing whatever ordained or assigned for his episcopal mensa, by which the bishop might live; for he had not even a house of his own. But he was almost always going about all the parishes[595] serving the Gospel,[596] and _living of the Gospel_,[597] as the Lord appointed for him when he said, _The labourer is worthy of his hire._[598] Except that more frequently, _making the Gospel_ itself _without charge_,[599] as a result of the labours of himself and his companions, he brought with him that by which he might sustain himself and _those who laboured with him in the work of the ministry_.[600] Further, if at times he had to rest he did so in the holy places which he himself had scattered through the whole of Ireland; but he conformed to the customs and observances of those with whom it pleased him to tarry, content with the common life and the common table. There was nought in his food, nought in his clothing, by which Malachy could be distinguished from the rest of the brethren; to such a degree, though he was _greatest_, did he _humble himself in all things_.[601]