To Florus 3.9
As the prophet David testifies, the fool did indeed say in his heart that there was no God (Psalm 14:1; Psalm 53:1; LXX/Vulgate Psalms 13:1; 52:1). Yet he did not say that God existed but was unjust. The voice of all nature declared in such harmony that justice belongs inseparably to God that someone denying his existence was more readily found than someone denying his fairness. Someone could arise who thought that what he could not see did not exist; no one had yet been found who called unjust what he believed to be divine (Psalm 14:1; Psalm 53:1;).
Latin
Dixerat quidem, ut David propheta testis est, insipiens in corde suo, quia non esset Deus [n7] , non tamen dixerat, quia esset quidem, sed tamen iniustus Deus; ita concinenter totius naturae voce resonabat inseparabiliter Deo adhaerere iustitiam, ut facilius inveniretur, qui substantiam eius quam qui aequitatem negaret; potuit exsistere, qui putaret non esse, quod non videbat, non fuerat tamen inventus, qui diceret iniquum, quod divinum esse credebat.
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.