To distill means to separate the subtle from the coarse,
and the coarse from the subtle,
to render the fragile and breakable unbreakable,
to transform the material into the immaterial,
the physical into the spiritual
and to beautify what is in need of beautification.
and the coarse from the subtle,
to render the fragile and breakable unbreakable,
to transform the material into the immaterial,
the physical into the spiritual
and to beautify what is in need of beautification.
~ Hieronimus Brunschwig of Strasbourg, 1512
Let my teaching drop as the rain,
My speech distill as the dew,
As the droplets on the fresh grass,
And as the showers upon the herb.
~ Deuteronomy 32:2
I was returning a book on lavender to my friend at church today. In the car on the way, I skimmed through it and lit upon the Brunschwig quote. Fascinated, I copied it down. When class began, the first verse we looked at was the one above. I love intersections of thought, don’t you?
A Living Pencil 
Yes, you are particularly good at them.
And now, as an adult, I’m thinking I would have enjoyed a more inter-disciplinary degree like is offered these days – American Studies or the like, where you study history, literature, music, art, etc.
I loved the Brunschwig quote. It made me realize what a sweet fragrance will come from some of my kids who are experiencing the distilling process right now. Only I hadn’t thought of it in that light till this. This blessed me in unexpected ways. Thanks. Blessings and love, M in SC