13 January 2009

Patristic Quote of the Day

Salt is indeed a healthy seasoning for all food, if it is used in limited amounts; otherwise, used immoderately, both the salt itself is ruined, and it destroys what it seasons... So too the reasoning faculty that is in us, if it should have moderation, provides flavor, gives birth to understanding, produces prudence, enlarges the heart, increases ability, gives mature expression to what must be said, puts eloquently what must be heard, becomes delightful to itself, and becomes perfectly delightful for those who partake of it... We have made these introductory remarks, so that our reasoning may be kept within the bounds of moderation in interpreting the Gospel, so as not to ruin the food of life, the divine nourishment, the heavenly flavor, but so as to preserve them for us with most judicious sobriety, according to the words of the Apostle: "To know no more than it is right to know, but to know with sobriety." -- St. Peter Chrysologus, Sermon 125, par. 1,2

2 comments:

dakotapastor said...

Chrysologus quotes the words of the Apostle: "To know no more than it is right to know, but to know with sobriety."

I'm trying to recall this verse, but can't seem to. What verse is he refering to?

William Weedon said...

Roman 12:3 "Dico enim per gratiam, quae data est mihi, omnibus qui sunt inter vos, non altius sapere quam oportet sapere, sed sapere ad sobrietatem..."

"For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with with sober judgment."