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NPNF2-08. Basil: Letters and Select Works - Holy Bible Institute

NPNF2-08. Basil: Letters and Select Works - Holy Bible Institute

NPNF2-08. Basil: Letters and Select Works - Holy Bible Institute

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To Theodorus.Letter CXXIV. 2406To Theodorus.It is sometimes said that slaves to the passion of love, when by some inevitable necessitythey are separated from the object of their desire, are able to stay the violence of their passionby indulging the sense of sight, if haply they can look at the picture of the beloved object.Whether this be true or not I cannot say; but what has befallen me in your case, my friend,is not very different. I have felt a disposition towards your godly <strong>and</strong> guileless soul, somewhat,if I may so say, of the nature of love; but the gratification of my desire, like that of all otherblessings, is made difficult to me by the opposition of my sins. However, I have seemed tosee a very good likeness of you in the presence of my very reverend brothers. And if it hadbeen my lot to fall in with you when far away from them, I should have fancied that I sawthem in you. For the measure of love in each of you is so great, that in both of you there isa plain contest for the superiority. I have thanked God for this. If any longer life be left me,I pray that my life may be made sweet through you, just as now I look on life as a wretchedthing to be avoided, because I am separated from the companionship of those I love best.For, in my judgment, there is nothing in which one can be cheerful when cut off from thosewho truly love us.2406 Placed in 373.563

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