Timely and everlasting is the following speech of M. Alexander.
Once again saint Maximus the Confessor saves it.
” When someone who showed that they loved him said your cities may pay more taxation, Alexander observed and detested the gardener who eradicates the vegetables from the roots. (” κηπουρόν μισῶ τὸν ἐκ ριζῶν ἐκτέμνοντα τὰ λάχανα ” P.G. 91, 805).
