To Florus 1.45
What shining gold in a heap of dung! What could anyone, even an orthodox believer, have said more truly or more completely? “Sin”, you say, “is the will to commit or retain something justice forbids and from which one is free to abstain” (Augustine, On Two Souls 15). Ecclesiasticus shows this: “God made the human being and left him in the hands of his own decision. He placed before him life and death, water and fire; whatever pleases him will be given to him” (Sirach 15:14, 16–17; Vulgate 15:14, 17–18). And God says through Isaiah: “If you are willing and listen to me, you will eat the good things of the land. If you are unwilling and do not listen, the sword will devour you” (Isaiah 1:19–20). And the apostle: “Come rightly to your senses, and do not sin” (1 Corinthians 15:34). And again: “Do not be deceived; God is not mocked. Whatever a person sows, that he will also reap” (Galatians 6:7–8).
Latin
O lucens aurum in stercore! Quid verius, quid plenius dici a quoquam vel orthodoxo potuisset? Peccatum est, inquis, voluntas admittendi vel retinendi quod iustitia vetat, et unde liberum est abstinere [n41] . Ostendit hoc Ecclesiasticus: Deus, inquit, fecit hominem, et dimisit eum in manibus consilii sui; posuit ante eum vitam et mortem, aquam et ignem; quod placuerit ei, dabitur illi [n42] . Et per Isaiam Deus: Si volueritis, inquit, et audieritis me, quae bona sunt terrae edetis. Si nolueritis, nec audieritis, gladius vos comedet [n43] . Et Apo olus: Resipiscite iuste, et nolite peccare [n44] ; atque iterum: Nolite errare; Deus non irridetur; quae enim seminaverit homo, illa et metet [n45] .
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.