To Florus 2.190
I say ‘greatest’ not because I deny that the devil was more guilty, but because, when a basis for instruction was being sought, it was more fitting for the apostle to mention a human being, to whom successive generations of humanity especially looked, than a being of airy substance. Within humanity itself, however, it was established that the first woman sinned first (Genesis 3:6; compare 1 Timothy 2:14). But because fathers’ authority is more effective and greater in all things, he called the man the model of sin—not the one with whom the offense began, but the one who, through the power of the male sex, is shown to have been more readily imitated. You see how the coherence of the interpretation testifies that truth is within it (Genesis 3:6) (1 Timothy 2:14).
Latin
Maximam autem dico, non quia diabolum magis reum fuisse diffitear, sed quia, cum institutionis ratio peteretur, accommodatius Apostolus hominis, quem plurimum successio humanitatis aspexit, quam aeriae substantiae fecerit mentionem. Verum in ipsa humanitate primam mulierem deliquisse constabat; sed quia patrum in omnibus efficacior est et maior auctoritas, eum dixit formam fuisse peccati, non a quo coepit delictum, sed qui per potestatem sexus virilis magis fuisse probatur imitabilis. Vides nempe, ut consequentia intellectus veritatem sibi inesse testetur.
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.