Letter 342: All who are attached to the rose, as might be expected in the case of lovers of the beautiful, are not displeased even at the thorns from out of which the flower blows. I have even heard it said about roses by some one, perhaps in jest, or, it may be, even in earnest, that nature has furnished the bloom with those delicate thorns, like stings of...

Everyone attached to the rose -- as you would expect from lovers of beauty -- does not mind the thorns from which the flower grows. I have even heard someone say about roses (perhaps in jest, or perhaps in earnest) that nature provided those delicate thorns, like stings of love, to excite those who pluck them to more intense desire through these cunningly placed pricks. Why do I bring the rose into my letter? You do not need to be told, when you remember your own. Your letter had the bloom of the rose and opened all of springtime to me through its fair words. But it was armed with certain pointed criticisms and charges against me. Even the thorn of your words is sweet to me, though, for it only kindles a greater longing for your friendship.

ST. BASIL OF CAESAREA Basil to Libanius. All who are attached to the rose, as might be expected in the case of lovers of the beautiful, are not displeased even at the thorns from out of which the flower blows. I have even heard it said about roses by some one, perhaps in jest, or, it may be, even in earnest, that nature has furnished the bloom with those delicate thorns, like stings of love to lovers, to excite those who pluck them to intenser longing by these ingeniously adapted pricks. But what do I mean by this introduction of the rose into my letter? You do not need telling, when you remember your own letter. It had indeed the bloom of the rose, and, by its fair speech, opened out all spring to me; but it was bethorned with certain fault findings and charges against me. But even the thorn of your words is delightful to me, for it enkindles in me a greater longing for your friendship. About this page Source. Translated by Blomfield Jackson. From Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series, Vol. 8. Edited by Philip Schaff and Henry Wace. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1895.) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight. <https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3202342.htm>. Contact information. The editor of New Advent is Kevin Knight. My email address is feedback732 at newadvent.org. (To help fight spam, this address might change occasionally.) Regrettably, I can't reply to every letter, but I greatly app reciate your feedback — especially notifications about typographical errors and inappropriate ads.