Parish pump…

The pump is part wood/part metal, the barrel is wood, the weeds are home grown Guernsey weeds and the flowers are gorgeous! So I think this fits the theme of wood for MonoMonday.
Since I’ve drawn attention to the weeds I decided my saying of the day should be ‘a rose among thorns’.
The saying "a rose among thorns" originates from the Roman historian Ammianus Marcellinus, who used the phrase in his work Rerum Gestarum in the 4th century. He used it to describe a eunuch named Eutherius, highlighting his virtue and positive qualities despite being part of a marginalised group. The phrase essentially means someone or something good and virtuous standing out amidst a group of less desirable or negative individuals or things.
The phrase has roots in ancient symbolism, with roses representing beauty and love in both Greek and Roman times. The thorns, however, add a layer of complexity, suggesting that beauty and love can also be accompanied by hardship or danger.
In Christian tradition, the rose, with its thorns, has been associated with the Virgin Mary and Christ's suffering, representing the coexistence of beauty and pain.
The phrase has also appeared in various literary and artistic contexts, often used to explore themes of love, betrayal, and personal growth. It's also been used as a compliment, particularly when a woman is in the company of men.