To Florus 2.77
Nor was it revealed by the law, nor could it have been. No lawgiver would ever reach such madness as to command anyone, ‘Do not be born this way or that.’ And where it would be inappropriate to give a warning so that something may be corrected, it cannot be just to impose punishment.
Latin
Nec a lege ostensum est vel ostendi potuit, quia numquam legislator usque ad hanc veniret amentiam, ut praeciperet cuiquam: Noli ita vel ita nasci; et quod admoneri non decuit, ut corrigatur, iustum esse non potest, ut puniatur.
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.