In what, then, are we different from ants, when compared to them? For just as they care for the things of the body, so also do we; and would it were for these alone; but not, it is even for things far worse. For not for necessary things only do we care like them, but also for things superfluous. For those insects pursue a business free from all blame, but we follow after all covetousness, and not even the ways of ants do we imitate, but the ways of wolves, but the ways of leopards… or rather we are even worse than these. For to them nature has assigned that they should be thus fed, but us God hath honoured with speech, and a sense of equity, and we are become worse than the wild beasts.

– St. John Chrysostom, Homil. LXIX 4.