"ὥστε εἰ μὲν ὠφελοίη τι καὶ ἡ λέξις ὡς εἴρηται νοουμένη, ἔχειν ἐξ ἑτοίμου τὸ σπουδαζόμενον, εἰ δέ τι μετὰ ἐπικρύψεως ἐν ὑπονοίαις τισὶ καὶ αἰνίγμασιν εἰρημένον ἀργὸν εἰς ὠφέλειαν εἴη κατὰ τὸ πρόχειρον νόημα, τοὺς τοιούτους λόγους ἀναστρέφειν."
— Gregory of Nyssa

January 1, 1970

Quote Details

Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Added on April 10, 2026
Unverified quote
0 likes
MysticsChurch FathersChristian saintsRoman Catholic bishopsTheologians from Greece
Original Language: English

Sources

If indeed the literal meaning, understood as it is spoken, should offer some benefit, we will have readily at hand what we need to make the object of our attention. But if something that is said in a hidden fashion, with certain allegories and enigmas, should yield nothing of benefit according to the readily apparent sense, we will turn such words as these over and over in our mind.