Antony vs. The Average Joe

"...How great Antony, the man of God was.  Who from his youth to so great an age preserved a uniform zeal for the discipline, and neither through old age was subdued by the desire of costly food, nor through the infirmity of his body changed the fashion of his clothing, nor washed even his feet with water, and yet remained entirely free from harm,"(93).  

The life of Antony was one one of seclusion and characterized by strict discipline.  It was very different in comparison to the lives of those who lived at the same time period. The quote above shows the discipline of Antony throughout his life, and the result it had in the end.  Because of his devotion to living his life in accordance to God, his life is often regarded as prosperous and virtuous.  The life of Antony is "a sufficient pattern of discipline." My question to you my fellow classmates is, how might this recount of the life of Antony who lived a life of very strict discipline, appeal to the masses about who did not live by such a strict adherence to a life of simplicity, moderation and devotion to God?