Another time, a monk of Syrian descent was living in Scetis. He came to St. Macarius and said to him, “I have a question, father: When I was in Syria, I was able to fast a great deal and spend days fasting, but now, in Egypt, I cannot complete the day fasting. Why?” Seeing that the monasteries in Syria were in cities in the midst of people, St. Macarius answered him and said, “You used to spend your days fasting because you dined on vainglory, that is, people’s praise of you during the fasting and abstinence from food. But here in the wilderness, no one sees you, and hence you quickly become hungry.” Because of this, the saints said that if the virtues are known, they are ruined and end; and because of this, they would hide their virtues, wisdom, and knowledge.

ON THE EGO & THE LOVE OF PRAISE
H.H. Pope Shenouda III