1. Our Malachy, born in Ireland,[134] of a barbarous people, was brought up there, and there received his education. But from the barbarism of his birth he contracted no taint, any more than the fishes of the sea from their native salt. But how delightful to reflect, that uncultured barbarism should have produced for us so worthy[135] _a fellow-citizen with the saints and member of the household of God_.[136] He who brings _honey out of the rock and oil out of the flinty rock_[137] Himself did this. His parents,[138] however, were great both by descent and in power, _like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth_.[139] Moreover his mother,[140] more noble in mind than in blood, took pains, _in the very beginning of his ways_,[141] _to show_ to her child _the ways of life_,[142] esteeming this knowledge of more value to him than the empty knowledge of the learning of this world. For both, however, he had aptitude in proportion to his age. In the schools _he was taught_ learning, at home _the fear of the Lord_,[143] and by daily progress he duly responded to both teacher and mother.[144] For indeed he was endowed from the first with a _good spirit_,[145] in virtue of which he was a docile boy and very lovable, wonderfully gracious to all in all things. But he was [now] drinking, instead of milk from the breast of a mother, _the waters of saving wisdom_,[146] and day by day he was increasing in discretion. In discretion, shall I say, or in holiness? If I say both, I shall not regret it, _for I should say the truth_.[147] He behaved as an old man, a boy in years without a boy's playfulness. And when because of this he was regarded with reverence and astonishment by all, he was not found on that account, as commonly happens, more arrogant, but rather quiet and subdued in _all meekness_.[148] Not impatient of rule, not shunning discipline, not averse from reading, not, therefore, eager for games--so especially dear to the heart of boys of that age. _And he advanced beyond all of his own age_[149] in that learning, at least, which suited his years. For in discipline of morals and advance in virtues in a short time he even outshone _all his instructors_.[150] His _unction_,[151] however, rather than his mother, was his teacher. Urged by it he exercised himself not slothfully also in divine things, to seek solitude, _to anticipate vigils_,[152] to _meditate in the law_,[153] to eat sparingly, to pray frequently, and (because on account of his studies he had not leisure to frequent the church, and from modesty would not) to _lift up holy hands everywhere_[154] to heaven; but only where it could be done secretly--for already he was careful to avoid vainglory, that poison of virtues.[155]