4. With some of these Athanasius vied, by some he
was slightly excelled, and others, if it is not bold to say so, he
surpassed: some he made his models in mental power, others in
activity, others in meekness, others in zeal, others in dangers, others
in most respects, others in all, gathering from one and another various
forms of beauty (like men who paint figures of ideal excellence), and
combining them in his single soul, he made one perfect form of virtue
out of all, excelling in action men of intellectual capacity, in
intellect men of action; or, if you will, surpassing in intellect men
renowned for intellect, in action those of the greatest active power;
outstripping those who had moderate reputation in both respects, by his
eminence in either, and those who stood highest in one or other, by his
powers in both; and, if it is a great thing for those who have received
an example, so to use it as to attach themselves to virtue, he has no
inferior title to fame, who for our advantage has set an example to
those who come after him.