Had vanity never any share in the public mortifications which attended
the eyes of the multitude? "I scourge myself, but 'tis to expiate your
faults; I go stark naked, but 'tis to reproach the luxury of your
garments; I feed on herbs and snails to correct your vice of gluttony; I
put an iron ring on my body to make you blush at your lewdness.
Reverence me as a man cherished by the gods, who can draw down their
favors on you. When accustomed to reverence, it will not be hard to obey
me; I become your master in the name of the gods; and if you transgress
my will in the least particular, I will have you impaled to appease the
wrath of heaven." If the first fakirs did not use these words, they
probably had them engraven at the bottom of their hearts.--_Dict. Phil._
(Art. "Austerities").