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Nicene and Post-Nicene Church Fathers Series 2 - The Still Small ...

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To Antipater, the governor. 2606<br />

Letter CLXXXVI. 2605<br />

Philosophy is an excellent thing, if only for this, that it even heals its disciples at small<br />

cost; for, in philosophy, the same thing is both dainty <strong>and</strong> healthy fare. I am told that you<br />

have recovered your failing appetite by pickled cabbage. Formerly I used to dislike it, both<br />

on account of the proverb, 2607 <strong>and</strong> because it reminded me of the poverty that went with<br />

it. Now, however, I am driven to change my mind. I laugh at the proverb when I see that<br />

cabbage is such a “good nursing mother of men,” 2608 <strong>and</strong> has restored our governor to the<br />

vigour of youth. For the future I shall think nothing like cabbage, not even Homer’s lotus, 2609<br />

not even that ambrosia, 2610 whatever it was, which fed the Olympians.<br />

2605 Placed in 374.<br />

2606 cf. Letter cxxxvii.<br />

2607 <strong>The</strong> Greek proverb was δὶς κράμβη θάνατος, vide Politian. Miscel. 33. cf. “Occidit miseros crambe repetita<br />

magistros.” Juv. vii. 154.<br />

2608 κουροτρόφος. Ithaca is ἀγαθὴ κουροτρόφος, because it bore <strong>and</strong> bred hardy men. Od. ix. 27.<br />

2609 Od. ix. 93.<br />

2610 Od. v. 93.<br />

To Antipater, the governor.<br />

647

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