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The Rabbis' conception of saintliness may be gathered from their description of Biblical and Talmudical personages styled by them "saints." R. Meïr thought that "Adam was a great saint. Knowing that he had caused death to mankind, he fasted daily for 130 years, ceased cohabitation, and covered his body with fig-leaves" ('Er. 18b). Another saint was David, who prayed, "preserve my soul, for I am a saint" ("ḥasid"; Ps. lxxxvi. 2, Hebr.). The Talmud justifies David's self-praise by comparing him with other kings, who slept till the third hour of the day, while David arose at midnight to give thanks unto God (Ps. cxix. 62; Ber. 4a). Job is counted as a saint of the Gentiles (B. B. 15b).