To Florus 1.39
Justice deserves testimony not only from its author but also from good and wicked people alike: it has rightly exalted the former and rightly condemned the latter. When, however, it permits mercy to be generous to those who of themselves have earned neither good nor evil, it suffers no injury. For it is itself a great part of justice that God should be merciful to his own work when nothing compels him to severity.
Latin
Testimonium vero, ut ab auctore suo, ita etiam vel a probis, vel a improbis meretur, quod et illos iure provexerit, et istos iure damnaverit. Cum vero per se nec boni quidquam nec mali merentibus misericordiam liberalem esse permittit, nihil sentit iniuriae; quia et hoc ipsum, ut sit clemens operi suo Deus, cum in severitatem non cogitur, pars magna iustitiae est.
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.