Works of Saint Gregory of Nazianzus

...prefer the song; until where the questioning; and the things of opposition studied by you; yesterday you were theatrical; today dramatic, rhetorical; yesterday a foul-mouthed, impudent person; today modest, gentle; yesterday a decorator; today a disciplinarian; today a wine-drinker; tomorrow a water-drinker; today even your pleasant things are told to me, and anointed with the first parts; tomorrow groveling and rustic; instead of laughter for you, [you are] wretched; instead of comedy for you, [you are] unpleasant; instead of proud and arrogant; the appearing is incomplete; instead of a golden-roofed [house], a house of poverty; and your body is grass; if thus
A small red decorative flourish.

you neglect; and thus varied; the wine leads you to revelry and stain; and not the pleasant things; and remember the words of the sophist; but remember also the times and the accompanying benefits; for all things that we say run together and are beneficial; for see what the visible things are; the whole creation, the queen of the days, precedes and brings gifts from itself; everything that is most beautiful and most pleasant; do not
A large red ornamental initial Omicron.
live thus; let not revelry be worshiped by us as if...

the circle of the moon is brighter; and the dance of the stars purer; in the moments of the waves, they are heard; the form of the sun; the winds are calmed; the plants; for our nightingales are chirping; do not let this be more terrible to me; the things thrown away from the winter; and let there not be song for me; and the plant on high; and everything is crying out; and the joint is shadowy in the green fields; our... is seen in the islands; and to these, which are mostly for those who love God; and with its own wing; and the dolphin leaps with arrogance; breathing, not yet... and sending up alone; and passing by the sea with all sadness; now the grass, the plow is released; the merchant of blood; and the God who gives the fruit, having been initiated; and brings the plowman under the yoke; and cuts the sweet furrow; and is warmed by hopes.
Now the shepherd and herdsman
fit the pipes; and sing a lawful song; in plants and seasons they are harvesting; now the planter of plants is every door; and builds with sacred reeds; and every bird speaks; and the arrogant [bird] is shaken, feather-throwing; and nightingales with the... nets together clear away.