To Florus 1.16
Since, then, it is established that these things were carried out just as I have said, I cannot sufficiently wonder at the man's shamelessness. In his recent work he accuses my books of falsehood, although he admits that they have not yet reached his hands (Augustine, On Marriage and Concupiscence 2.2). It is a dreadful thing that the habit of sinning produces a love of wrongdoing, but more dreadful still that it extinguishes shame. Although it was already clear that this comes from the practice of wickedness, our present dangers have taught us more about it than any of us could have supposed. When could I have believed that this Numidian's forehead had grown so brazen that in one work, indeed in one sentence, he would admit both that I had spoken falsely and that he had not read what I said?
Latin
Cum haec itaque haud aliter quam dixi, constet impleta; mirari satis nequeo hominis impudentiam, qui in hoc recenti opere suo libros meos falsitatis accusat, quos tamen necdum in manus suas venisse testatur [n12] . Durum quidem, quod consuetudo peccandi amorem delicti facit; sed nihil durius, quam quod exstinguit pudorem; quod licet ex improbitatis usu esse constaret, tamen amplius praesentia pericula docuerunt, quam quisquam nostrum poterat autumare. Quando enim crederem eo usque Numidae induruisse frontem, ut in uno opere et uno versu utrumque fateretur, et me falsa dixisse, et se non legisse quid dixerim.
About this text
Julian’s six preserved books to Florus, quoted section by section in Augustine’s unfinished reply. Augustine’s refutations are omitted. Latin of Julian’s words is on each section.
Julian’s own books do not survive as a separate manuscript. English follows his words as Augustine quotes them in the Unfinished Work Against Julian. Augustine’s replies are omitted. We do not restore a Julian text independent of Augustine.
Witnesses
- Copy-text Augustine, Unfinished Work Against Julian (Latin · Julian’s words as quoted, Books 1–6)
- Checked print Augustinus.it Latin of the Unfinished Work (Latin · Same work)
- Checked print Migne PL 45 (Latin · Hard cases)
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. Open Latin on each section (or the Latin source witness link) for the source text. This is not a complete critical edition.