To Florus 4.136
Let little children wrestle with a question arising from these contradictions of words, and, capable of nothing greater than sounds, fight over the cups that amuse them. The catholic faith does not believe God’s law quarrels with itself, nor does it admit any authority that destroys reason. It listens to no opinion or flattery that stains divine fairness. Rather, it not only believes but knows God to be creator of all natures; it imputes sin to nothing other than free will. Through all these things it has no doubt that the inheritance of sin is false.
Latin
Patiantur ergo pueruli de istis verborum contrarietatibus quaestionem, ut nullius maioris rei quam sonorum capaces pro alludentibus sibi poculis praelientur; catholica vero fides neque iurgare adversum se legem Dei credit, neque ullam auctoritatem in exitium rationis admittit; nec cuiquam opinioni atque adulationi in maculam divinae aequitatis auscultat; sed ut Deum non solum credit, verum etiam novit omnium naturarum Creatorem; ibi peccatum nulli alii quam liberae imputat voluntati; per quae omnia traducem peccati falsam esse non dubitat.
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.