To Florus 2.171
For they had trampled reason and law through their love of crimes, following their own desires, which conscience itself—a force of the greatest power—rebuked. Yet the prophets too were known to have shone repeatedly in their contempt for death for the sake of justice. Many others had run toward destruction with fearless minds for great causes radiant with the splendor of their inherent worth. Lest examples like these obscure the uniqueness of Christ’s virtue, the apostle added something to show that Christ’s love and courage stand at an unmatched height. I too agree that some people, though rarely and scarcely, have chosen to die for just and good causes. But the worthiness of their affairs—that is, the nobility of the causes for which they fought—softened the pain of their dangers. Christ, however, had nothing to love in the activities of the ungodly, and did not disdain to expend himself for those made ugly by their own will. Plainly he excels everyone’s virtues: even if he can have a few companions in endurance, he can have none in the cause for which he endured. Let us therefore despair of nothing from his generosity. If he died for us while we were still sinners, much more, now justified in his blood, shall we be saved through him from wrath (Romans 5:8–9).
Latin
Quippe qui rationem et legem criminum amore calcaverant euntes post desideria sua, quae ipsa conscientia, cuius vis est maxima, castigabat. Verum quia constabat etiam Prophetas propter iustitiam crebro mortis enituisse contemptu et plurimos pro magnis quibusque rebus dignitatisque insitae fulgore rutilantibus securo ad interitum animo cucurrisse, ne non singularitas virtutis Christi dilucidior eiusmodi esset exemplis, intulit Apostolus, per quod ostenderet caritatem et fortitudinem illius unico eminere fastigio. Assentior et ego, licet raro, licet vix, tamen pro rebus iustis et bonis mori elegisse nonnullos. Sed illis negotiorum dignitas, id est ipsarum rerum, pro quibus dimicaverant, claritudo periculorum temperavit dolorem; Christus autem nihil habuit, quod amaret in studiis impiorum, et pro his, qui erant propria voluntate deformes, non est aspernatus impendi; apparet illum omnium virtutibus antecellere, quia, etsi in tolerantia paucos, in causa tamen nullos potest habere consortes. Nihil igitur de eius munificentia desperemus, quia, si pro nobis mortuus est, cum adhuc essemus peccatores, multo magis iustificati nunc in sanguine ipsius salvi erimus per eum ab ira.
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.