It seems that the wish to benefit all, and to lavish indiscriminately upon the first comer one’s own gifts, was not a thing altogether commendable, or even free from reproach in the eyes of the many; seeing that the gratuitous waste of many prepared drugs on the incurably-diseased produces no result worth caring about, either in the way of gain to the recipient, or reputation to the would-be benefactor. Rather such an attempt becomes in many cases the occasion of a change for the worse. The hopelessly-diseased and now dying patient receives only a speedier end from the more active medicines; the fierce unreasonable temper is only made worse by the kindness of the lavished pearls, as the Gospel tells us. I think it best, therefore, in accordance with the Divine command, for any one to separate the valuable from the worthless when either have to be given away, and to avoid the pain which a generous giver must receive from one who treads upon his pearl,’ and insults him by his utter want of feeling for its beauty.

Here is an award-winning, new translation that brings to light Gregory's complex identity as an early mystic. Gregory (c. 332-395) was one of the Greek Cappadocian Fathers, along with St. Basil the Great and St. Gregory Nazianzen. +

This book presents 37 letters of Gregory of Nyssa (c. 335-379) translated into English and equipped with scholarly notes. It includes a biography, testimonia from Basil and Gregory Nazianzen, 30 letters established by G. Pasquali and seven additional letters reassigned to Gregory.

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"The Sacred Writings Of ..." provides you with the essential works among the Early Christian writings. The volumes cover the beginning of Christianity until before the promulgation of the Nicene Creed at the First Council of Nicaea. This volume is accurately annotated, including * an extensive biography of the author and his life Gregory of Nyssa (c. 335 – c. 395) (also known as Gregory Nyssen) was bishop of Nyssa from 372 to 376, and from 378 until his death. He is venerated as a saint in Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Oriental Orthodoxy, Lutheranism and Anglicanism. Gregory, his brother Basil of Caesarea and Gregory of Nazianzus are collectively known as the Cappadocian Fathers Gregory lacked the administrative ability of his brother Basil, or the contemporary influence of Gregory of Nazianzus, but was an erudite theologian who made significant contributions to the doctrine of the Trinity and the Nicene creed. Gregory's philosophical writings were influenced by Origen, and he is generally considered to have believed in universal salvation. Since the mid-twentieth century, there has been a significant increase in interest in Gregory's works from the academic community, which has resulted in challenges to many traditional interpretations of his theology. (courtesy of wikipedia.com) Excerpt from Contents: - Gregory of Nyssa Against Eunomius Letter I. Letter II. Book I Book II Book III Book IV Book V Book VI Book VII Book VIII Book IX Book X Book XI Book XII Introduction on Epinoia Answer to Eunomius’ Second Book On the Holy Spirit, Against the Followers of Macedonius On the Holy Trinity, and of the Godhead of the Holy Spirit On “Not Three Gods” On the Faith Ascetic and Moral Treatises. On Virginity On Infants’ Early Deaths On Pilgrimages - Philosophical Works Note on the Treatise “On the Making of Man.” On the Making of Man On the Soul and the Resurrection - Apologetic Works The Great Catechism - Oratorical Works Funeral Oration on Meletius On the Baptism of Christ - Letters Letter I. To Eusebius . Letter II. To the City of Sebasteia . Letter III. To Ablabius . Letter IV. To Cynegius . Letter V. A Testimonial. Letter VI. To Stagirius. Letter VII. To a Friend. Letter VIII . To a Student of the Classics. Letter IX. An Invitation. Letter X . To Libanius. Letter XI. To Libanius. Letter XII . On His Work Against Eunomius. Letter XIII. To the Church at Nicomedia . Letter XIV . To the Bishop of Melitene. Letter XV. To Adelphius the Lawyer Letter XVI. To Amphilochius. Letter XVII. To Eustathia, Ambrosia, and Basilissa . Letter XVIII. To Flavian .

Religious scholar Hart argues that contemporary antireligious polemics are based not only upon conceptual confusions but upon facile simplifications of history and provides a powerful antidote to the New Atheists' misrepresentations of the Christian past.