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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 Antipater, the governor.To Antipater, the governor. 2606Letter CLXXXVI. 2605Philosophy is an excellent thing, if only for this, that it even heals its disciples at smallcost; for, in philosophy, the same thing is both dainty <strong>and</strong> healthy fare. I am told that youhave recovered your failing appetite by pickled cabbage. Formerly I used to dislike it, bothon account of the proverb, 2607 <strong>and</strong> because it reminded me of the poverty that went withit. Now, however, I am driven to change my mind. I laugh at the proverb when I see thatcabbage is such a “good nursing mother of men,” 2608 <strong>and</strong> has restored our governor to thevigour of youth. For the future I shall think nothing like cabbage, not even Homer’s lotus, 2609not even that ambrosia, 2610 whatever it was, which fed the Olympians.2605 Placed in 374.2606 cf. Letter cxxxvii.2607 The Greek proverb was δὶς κράμβη θάνατος, vide Politian. Miscel. 33. cf. “Occidit miseros crambe repetitamagistros.” Juv. vii. 154.2608 κουροτρόφος. Ithaca is ἀγαθὴ κουροτρόφος, because it bore <strong>and</strong> bred hardy men. Od. ix. 27.2609 Od. ix. 93.2610 Od. v. 93.647

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