“Use a little wine,” says the apostle to Timothy, who drank water, “for your stomach’s sake;” most properly applying its aid as a strengthening tonic suitable to a sickly body… and specifying “a little,” lest the remedy should, on account of its quantity, unobserved, create the necessity of other treatment. Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 195) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.2 pg.242
I therefore admire those who have adopted an austere life, and who are fond of water, the medicine of temperance, and flee as far as possible from wine, shunning it as they would the danger of fire. It is proper, therefore, that boys and girls should keep as much as possible away from this medicine. For it is not right to pour into the burning season of life the hottest of all liquids – wine – adding, as it were, fire to fire. For hence wild impulses and burning lusts and fiery habits are kindled; and young men inflamed from within become prone to the indulgence of vicious propensities; so that signs of injury appear in their body, the members of lust coming to maturity sooner than they ought. The breasts and organs of generation, inflamed with wine, expand and swell in a shameful way, already exhibiting beforehand the image of fornication.Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 195) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.2 pg.243
And, besides, it suits divine studies not to be heavy with wine. “For unmixed wine is far from compelling a man to be wise, much less temperate,” according to the comic poet. But towards evening, about supper-time, wine may be used, when we are no longer engaged in more serious readings. Then also the air becomes colder than it is during the day; so that the failing natural warmth requires to be nourished by the introduction of heat. But even then it must only be a little wine that is to be used; for we must not go on to intemperate potations. Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 195) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.2 pg.243
“Be not mighty,” he says, “at wine; for wine has overcome many.” The Scythians, the Celts, the Iberians, and the Thracians, all of them war like races, are greatly addicted to intoxication, and think that it is an honorable, happy pursuit to engage in. But we, the people of peace, feasting for lawful enjoyment, not to wantonness, drink sober cups of friendship, that our friendships may be shown in a way truly appropriate to the name. Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 195) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.2 pg.245-246
Wherefore also Noah’s intoxication was recorded in writing, that, with the clear and written description of his transgression before us, we might guard with all our might against drunkenness.Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 195) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.2 pg.246
“For wine,” says Androcydes, “and gluttonous feeds of flesh make the body strong, but the soul more sluggish.” Accordingly such food, in order to clear understanding, is to be rejected. Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 195) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.2 pg.532