A brother was attacked by lust. He got up at night, went to an old man and told him his thoughts. The old man comforted him and he returned to his cell strengthened. But the struggle began again in him. Again he went to the old man. And he did this many times. The old man did not reproach him but spoke to him of what might help him, saying to him, “Do not give way, but rather come every time the demon wars against you.” And the brother treated the demon with contempt, and he disappeared when he was despised. For, truly, nothing annoys the demon of lust like revealing his works, and nothing pleases him like concealing one’s thoughts.

Apophthegmata Patrum, Anonymous Collection, 32