To Florus 4.22
He therefore commands us not to love the world or the things in it, and says that God’s love cannot be present in lovers of this age. But in saying that love must be withdrawn from the world, he does not mean us to understand that its creator is someone other than the true God. Rather, he wants the faithful to recognize that no desires of the present life should be preferred to virtues. Their minds must not become so occupied with acquiring wealth or pursuing pleasures that they are drawn away from the vigor of Christian philosophy, which is the true philosophy. “For everything in the world is the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, and the pride of life, which is not from the Father but from the world. The world passes away, and its desire; but whoever does God’s will remains forever” (1 John 2:16–17). By the name “world,” then, he indicated the conduct of people who suppose there is nothing after this life, and the various displays and luxuries of mortals.
Latin
Praecipit ergo non diligi mundum, neque ea quae in mundo sunt; et dicit quoniam dilectoribus saeculi Dei caritas inesse non possit: sed non ut hoc nomine dilectionis a saeculo submovendae, alterum eius quam Deum verum intellegi faciat conditorem; verum ut agnoscant fideles, nullas praesentis vitae cupiditates praeferendas esse virtutibus, ne mens eorum aut comparandis opibus, aut conquirendis voluptatibus occupata, a christianae, quae vera est, philosophiae deducatur vigore. Quoniam omne quod est in mundo, concupiscentia carnis, et concupiscentia oculorum est, et superbia vitae; quae non est ex Patre, sed ex mundo est; et mundus transit, et concupiscentia eius; qui autem facit voluntatem Dei, manet in aeternum [n37] . Mundi ergo nomine, mores hominum nihil post hanc vitam esse autumantium, diversasque mortalium tam pompas quam luxurias indicavit.
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.