To Florus 2.11
But now it has begun to be offered as medicine, and pleasure has gained the support of authority. With almost the whole world’s consent, shamelessness runs riot: the queen of minds, ruling through the bodily organs, the conqueror of decency, the undefeated captor of every soul. The more honorable our defense of truth, the harder it has therefore become. For the few who heal through speech have little power against reckless crowds hostile to their own remedies. What then? Should we sound the retreat at the sight of them, avenge the insults we have suffered by keeping silent, and laugh at others’ shipwrecks from the safe harbor of our conscience? But first, the goodwill we owe the human race opposes such hatred. So do our hope and faith in God. Besides repeatedly restoring the seemingly hopeless wreckage of the times, God has rewarded with eternal recompense the steadfastness he wished us to exercise until death, even when no result followed in the present.
Latin
At nunc, postquam pro medicamine coepit offerri, et delectationi accessit auctoritas, ut consensu pene mundi, membripotens regina mentium, expugnatrix honestatis, et invicta animorum omnium captivatrix turpitudo baccharetur; nobis quanto honestior, tanto durior tuendae veritatis causa facta est. Quia contra praecipites populos et suis remediis infensos, non multum valet raritas oratione medicantium. Quid igitur? Horumne intuitu, receptui canere debebimus, et contumelias nostras ultum ire silentio, ac de conscientiae portu aliorum ridere naufragia? Verum contradicit huic odio, primo benignitas quam generi debemus humano; deinceps spes et fides, quam habemus in Deum, qui extra id quod frequenter desperatas temporum levavit ruinas; constantiam tamen quam usque ad mortis horam exerceri voluit, etiamsi nullus in praesentiarum sequeretur effectus, aeterna remuneratione donavit.
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.