Those who labor for the vain things in life strive to make those who labor for God’s sake stumble, that they might not be confronted with examples that accuse their conscience; but in so doing they only embellish the crows of conscientious laborers. Maintain a humble attitude, that you might not lose the fruits of good works. If you cast them away, you will be numbered with those who labor in vain.

St. Ephraim the Syrian
A Spiritual Psalter, Psalm 43