To Florus 2.31
If it comes through the parents’ union, openly condemn the marriage your argument condemns, and spare us the work of proving you a Manichaean. But if you do not dare say this, and, defiant of reason, bow to those having intercourse, you produce unheard-of monstrosities of argument. You say that lust is diabolical and, although located in the feelings of those coupling, provides the parents’ pleasure but the newborn children’s guilt. You certainly expose your own madness and shamefulness. But please do not presume so far as to think we are not free to defend newborn children’s innocence while honoring God, when you are permitted—and pleased—to accuse God while clearing the lustful people’s own bodies of what you call lust’s guilt.
Latin
Si per commixtionem parentum, damna nuptias professione, quas argumentatione condemnas; et deme nobis laborem, quo te convicimus esse Manichaeum. Sin autem tu non id audes dicere, ac ratione contumax concumbentibus inclinaris, ut per argumentorum hactenus inaudita portenta, dicas libidinem diabolicam esse, eamque in sensu coeuntium positam, ad voluptatem parentum, ad reatum pertinere nascentium; tuam quidem amentiam et turpitudinem prodis; sed precor ne tibi tantum arroges, ut putes nobis liberum non esse cum honore Dei nascentium innocentiam contueri; cum tibi liceat et libeat, cum accusatione Dei a reatu, quem dicis libidinis, libidinantium membra purgare.
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.