To Florus 3.23
Although the extent of this irreverence is glaringly obvious as soon as it is mentioned, let us—with the permission of the very God whose fairness we defend—consider its character, even through a brief examination. What forces him to become a violator of his own law: the pressure of circumstances that overwhelm him, or his own weakness? Or, since it is neither, is it simply a desire to do wrong? But even Mani could not say this, and so he invented a story that your god had endured a terrible battle.
Latin
Quod licet, quantae sit profanitatis, vix indicatum iam vehementer appareat, tamen pace ipsius divinitatis, cuius aequitatem tuemur, quale sit hoc, vel levi discus sione videamus. Ut ipse itaque fiat legis suae praevaricator, rerum necessitate, quae eum premunt, an sua imbecillitate compellitur? An, quia horum neutrum est, sola libidine delinquendi? At hoc nec Manichaeus dicere potuit et ideo commentus est Deum vestrum grave proelium pertulisse.
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.