To Florus 1.116
Believing human beings evil by the condition of birth, the Manichaean assigned them an author through whom the blame for the evil work could be kept away from the good God. Since he had erred in the definition of sin, thinking natural something that can only be voluntary, he consistently went on to invent an evil maker for an evil origin. In this he was more reverent toward God and more defiant toward nature. You, however, say that people are born evil, but that God is the author of the evil: you are more defiant toward God and more respectful toward nature. For nature is defended by its author's majesty, while its author is accused by the ugliness of his work.
Latin
Enimvero credens malos esse homines conditione nascendi, illum eis deputavit auctorem, per quem mali operis crimen a Deo bono separaretur; et quoniam erraverat in definitione peccati, ut putaret naturale esse, quod nisi voluntarium esse non potest; consequenter deinceps malae originis malum est commentus artificem; hic religiosior in Deum, contumacior in naturam. Tu vero dicis, malos quidem nasci, sed Deum esse auctorem malorum; contumacior tu in Deum, honorificentior in naturam; haec quippe auctoris maiestate defenditur, auctor autem foeditate operis accusatur.
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.