The influences that had surrounded him in Egypt, the affection of his foster mother, his own position as the grandson of the king, the luxury and vice that allured in ten thousand forms, the refinement, the subtlety, and the mysticism of a false religion, had made an impression on his mind and character. In the stern simplicity of the wilderness all this disappeared.

Den indflydelse, han havde været omgivet af i Ægypten, hans plejemoders kærlighed, hans egen stilling som kongens barnebarn den overdådighed og lastefuldhed, der lokkede under tusinde forskellige skikkelser, den falske religions underfundighed og mystik havde præget hans sind og karakter. I det strenge og enkle liv i ørkenen forsvandt alt dette.