Gregory the Great, on Ezek 2:6

“And thou, O son of man, fear not, neither be thou afraid of their words: for thou art among unbelievers and destroyers, and thou dwellest with scorpions. Fear not their words, neither be thou dismayed at their looks: for they are a provoking house.”

“But why he ought not to fear the tongues of detractors, the reason is also added, when it is immediately subjoined: "Because the unbelieving and subverters are with you, and you dwell among scorpions." For those to whom he was sent to speak would need to be feared if they had pleased Almighty God in faith and work. But because they are unbelieving and subverters, detracting in their words, they are not to be feared, because it is very foolish if we seek to please those whom we know do not please the Lord. But the judgments of the just ought to be held in fear and reverence, because they are members of Almighty God, and they reprove on earth that which the Lord rebukes from heaven. For the detraction of the perverse is the approbation of our life, because it is already shown that we have something of justice if we begin to displease those who do not please God. For no one can be pleasing in one and the same matter to the Almighty Lord and to His enemies. For he denies himself a friend to God who pleases His enemy. And he will be opposed to the enemies of truth who is subjected to that same truth in his mind. Whence holy men, inflamed in the rebuke of free speech, do not fear to arouse against themselves the hatred of those whom they know do not love God. Which the Prophet ardently displaying, offered to the Creator of all as if in a gift, saying: "Did I not hate those who hate You, O God, and waste away over Your enemies? With perfect hatred I hated them, and they have become enemies to me."”

Imported from an open dataset — not yet checked against the printed edition.