Basil De legendis gentilium libris
EN Lat Orig
Basil

De legendis gentilium libris

prose

Basil advises young Christians on how to read pagan literature — take what is useful, leave what is harmful. The key text in the survival of classical learning within Christianity.

Start Reading

Books

  • 1
    Book 1

    Basil of Caesarea advises Christian youth on reading pagan literature, arguing that Greek poetry and philosophy contain truths that prepare the soul for Scripture.

    5 lines
  • 2
    Book 2

    Basil of Caesarea advises Christian youth on reading pagan literature, arguing that Greek poetry and philosophy contain truths that prepare the soul for Scripture.

    8 lines
  • 3
    Book 3

    Basil of Caesarea advises Christian youth on reading pagan literature, arguing that Greek poetry and philosophy contain truths that prepare the soul for Scripture.

    4 lines
  • 4
    Book 4

    Basil of Caesarea advises Christian youth on reading pagan literature, arguing that Greek poetry and philosophy contain truths that prepare the soul for Scripture.

    11 lines
  • 5
    Book 5

    Basil of Caesarea advises Christian youth on reading pagan literature, arguing that Greek poetry and philosophy contain truths that prepare the soul for Scripture.

    14 lines
  • 6
    Book 6

    Basil of Caesarea advises Christian youth on reading pagan literature, arguing that Greek poetry and philosophy contain truths that prepare the soul for Scripture.

    5 lines
  • 7
    Book 7

    Basil of Caesarea advises Christian youth on reading pagan literature, arguing that Greek poetry and philosophy contain truths that prepare the soul for Scripture.

    10 lines
  • 8
    Book 8

    Basil of Caesarea advises Christian youth on reading pagan literature, arguing that Greek poetry and philosophy contain truths that prepare the soul for Scripture.

    14 lines
  • 9
    Book 9

    Basil of Caesarea advises Christian youth on reading pagan literature, arguing that Greek poetry and philosophy contain truths that prepare the soul for Scripture.

    28 lines
  • 10
    Book 10

    Basil of Caesarea advises Christian youth on reading pagan literature, arguing that Greek poetry and philosophy contain truths that prepare the soul for Scripture.

    8 lines
An open-access project