To Florus 1.83
To state it briefly, it is a capacity whose sole watchful task is to ensure that no one is either driven into sin or dragged away from sin by someone else while the will is held captive. That the will cannot be captured unless it chooses to surrender is shown by courage, whose strength in despising pain has constantly shone forth among both pagans and Christians.
Latin
Quod ut breviter absolvatur, possibilitas est ad hoc solum excubans, ne homo vel in peccatum a quoquam impellatur, vel a peccato abstrahatur, voluntate captiva; quam non posse capi, si dedi ipsa noluerit, testatur fortitudo, cuius lacerti in contemptu dolorum et per Gentiles et per Christianos assidue claruerunt.
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.