What did Clement mean when he said: "Fasting is better than prayer, and charity than both"?

In his second letter to the Corinthians (16:3), the anonymous church father, believed to be Clement of Rome, wrote: > "Fasting is better than prayer, and charity than both". **What did he mean by that?** ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The line in question is from the below passage, which in turn comes from this link > So, brothers, since we have been given no small opportunity to repent, let us take the occasion to turn to God who has called us, while we still have One to accept us. For if we renounce these pleasures and master our souls by avoiding their evil lusts, we shall share in Jesus’ mercy. Understand that "the day" of judgment is already "on its way like a furnace ablaze," and "the powers of heaven will dissolve" and the whole earth will be like lead melting in fire. Then men's secret and overt actions will be made clear. Charity, then, like repentance from sin, is a good thing. But **fasting is better than prayer, and charity than both.** “Love covers a multitude of sins," and prayer, arising from a good conscience, "rescues from death." Blessed is everyone who abounds in these things, for charity lightens sin.