To Florus 1.65
I criticized, and rightly criticized, your abject and feeble inconsistency. It led you first to say that you did not condemn marriage, and then to say that human beings are transferred into the devil's legal possession because of the union of man and woman. That union plainly belongs to marriage's condition and nature; indeed, as far as our present dispute is concerned, in that alone lies the reality of marriage.
Latin
Argui ergo, et iure argui, deiectam et debilem varietatem, qua fuerat effectum ut et nuptias te non damnare praemitteres, et diceres, ob viri et feminae commixtionem, quam de nuptiarum conditione et natura venire perspicuum est, immo in qua sola (quantum ad conflictum nostrum respicit) nuptiarum veritas est, homines in diaboli iura transcribi.
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.