Direct quotation
Against Julian 4.3.19
The origin of every virtue lies in the rational soul. All the dispositions through which we are good, either fruitfully or fruitlessly, have their foundation in our mind: prudence, justice, self-control, and courage. Although the power of these dispositions is naturally present in everyone, it does not hasten toward the same goal in everyone. Instead, according to the judgment of the will whose direction they obey, they are directed either toward eternal things or toward temporary things. When this happens, they differ neither in what they are nor in what they do, but only in what they deserve. They therefore cannot suffer any loss of their name or their kind; they are simply enriched by the greatness of the reward they sought, or disappointed by its smallness.
Latin
Virtus est animi habitus, naturae modo atque rationi consentaneus
Cunctarum - inquis - origo virtutum in rationabili animo sita est, et affectus omnes per quos aut fructuose aut steriliter boni sumus, in subiecto sunt mentis nostrae, prudentia, iustitia, temperantia, fortitudo. Horum igitur affectuum vis cum sit in omnibus naturaliter - inquis - non tamen ad unum finem in omnibus properat: sed pro iudicio voluntatis, cuius nutui serviunt, aut ad aeterna, aut ad temporalia diriguntur. Quod cum fit, non in eo quod sunt, non in eo quod agunt, sed in eo solo variant quod merentur. Nec nominis sui igitur - inquis - possunt, nec generis sustinere dispendium, sed solius quod appetiverunt praemii aut amplitudine ditantur, aut exilitate frustrantur
ut nec nominis sui possint, nec generis sustinere dispendium, sed solius quod appetiverunt praemii exilitate frustrentur
About this text
Earlier four-book work to Turbantius, surviving as excerpts arranged by Augustine’s witness. Latin source text is on each section when recovered.
English follows Julian’s words as Augustine excerpts them in Against Julian. This is not a recovered complete To Turbantius.
Witnesses
- Copy-text Augustine, Against Julian (Latin · Excerpts arranged by Augustine’s books)
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.