Clement of Alexandria Stromata Book III Et: "Bonum est manere sicut ego."[151] Tertullian On Exhortation to Chastity For, withal, when he has laid down the definitive rule with reference to "the widowed and the unwedded," that they are to "marry if they cannot contain," because "better it is to marry than to burn,"[18] Tertullian On Modesty But when things lawful are (only) granted by way of indulgence, who hope for things unlawful? "To the unmarried" also, "and widows," he says, "It is good, by his example, to persevere" (in their present state); "but if they were too weak, to marry; because it is preferable to marry than to bum."[178] Methodius Discourse III. Thaleia "I say therefore," he goes on,[46]