Apollonius was talking about <br />proper education and conduct with a young <br />man who was building a luxurious <br />house in Rhodes. "As for me" said the Tyanian <br />at last, "when I enter a temple <br />however small it may be, I very much prefer <br />to see a statue of ivory and gold <br />than a clay and vulgar one in a large temple".-- <br /> <br />The "clay" and "vulgar"; the detestable: <br />that already some people (without enough training) <br />it deceives knavishly. The clay and vulgar.<br /><br />Constantine P. Cavafy<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/apollonius-of-tyana-in-rhodes/
