St Neilos the Ascetic: They were glad, to live with the wild beasts...
They were glad, to live with the wild beasts, judging them less harmful than their fellow men. They avoided men as being treacherous, while they trusted the animals as their friends; for animals do not teach us to sin, but revere and respect holiness.
Thus men tried to kill Daniel but the lions saved him, preserving him when he had been unjustly condemned out of malice (cf Dan. 6:16-23); and when human justice had miscarried, the animals proclaimed his innocence. Whereas Daniel's holiness gave rise to strife and envy among men, among the wild animals it evoked awe and veneration.
St Neilos the Ascetic
