sentences:  The same is related by Epiphanius of the Dosithean sect.Maimonides (Rambam) raised his voice against ascetic tendencies and practices, and his view maintained the upper hand.He admits the wholesome influence on those needing much discipline of the soul of fasting and vigils, of sexual and social abstemiousness, the self-torture of the hermit, and of the penitent who dwells in deserts and uses only coarse haircloth for the covering of his flesh; but he declares the constant use of what can at best be only a remedial measure in abnormal and unsound conditions of life to be a great folly and injurious extravagance.