1 Samuel 21

1 Samuel 21:13

For behold David the prophet also in his scheme for delivering his life from death feigned himself to the Philistines to be a madman and without sense, and let his spittle fall down upon his beard after the manner of a man who lacked understanding, that he might save his life from death. And if David feigned himself to be mad, and to be without understanding and discretion that he might not destroy his life in this world, how much more is it meet for thee to abide in thy simplicity, and not to be overcome by the indignation of the scoffers, and not to depart from the goal which is laid down for thee, for the sake of life everlasting? — 13 Ascetic Discourses, Discourse 5 -- Second Discourse on Simplicity