John of Damascus
St John Chrysostom, on the ‘Third Psalm, on David, and Absalom.’
On Holy Images — translated by Mary H. Allies
Public domainServed
¶1
Kings put victorious trophies before their conquering generals; rulers erect proud monuments to their charioteers, and brave men, and with the epitaph as a crown, use matter for their triumph. Others, again, write the praises of conquerors in books, wishing to show that their own gift in praising is greater than those praised. And orators and painters, sculpturers and people, rulers, and cities, and places acclaim the victorious. No one ever made images of the deserter or the coward.
Translated by Mary H. Allies. Edition opa.patristics.john-of-damascus.on-holy-images.en.