"Whoever wants to become a Christian must first become a poet.”
-Elder Porphyrios
consolation of PhiloSophia
“…When she saw that the Muses of poetry were present by my couch giving words to my lamenting, she was stirred a while; her eyes flashed fiercely, and said she,
’ Who has suffered these seducing mummers to approach this sick man? Never do they support those i n sorrow by any healing remedies, but rather do ever foster the sorrow by poisonous sweets. These are they who stifle the fruit-bearing harvest of reason with the barren briars of the passions: they free not the minds of men from disease, but accustom them thereto. I would think it less grievous if your allurements drew away from me some uninitiated man, as happens in the vulgar herd. In such an one my labours would be naught harmed, but this man has been nourished in the philosophies of Zeno and Plato; and to him have ye reached? Away with you, Sirens, seductive unto destruction! leave him to my Muses to be cared for and to be healed.’”
Book 1 of “The Consolation of Philosophy” - Boethius