Letter 342
Late Antiquity Basil of Caesarea Greek- Basil to Libanius Those who are disposed toward the rose, as lovers of beauty naturally are, do not feel aversion even toward the very thorns from which the flower springs. And I once heard someone say something of this sort about them—jesting perhaps, or perhaps in earnest—that, just as lovers have their certain amorous stings, so Nature has set those slender thorns about the flower, provoking those who gather it, by the well-aimed pricks, to a greater longing. What is the meaning, for me, of this rose brought into my letter? You who remember your own letter need by no means be taught: that letter which had the flower of the rose, spreading out for us the whole spring by its eloquence, yet was set with thorns by certain reproaches and accusations against us. But to me even the thorn of your words is a pleasure, kindling me to a greater longing for our friendship.