To Florus 5.53
Just as what comes from necessity cannot be attributed to my possibility, so what comes from possibility cannot be attributed to necessity. That is, the nature of my body and mind cannot be assigned to my will, as though I were this way because I willed it, since I could not will before I existed. Likewise, the will’s evil cannot be attached to nature, mixing the works of possibility into necessity.
Latin
Quomodo ergo quod a necessario venit, possibili meo adscribi non potest; ita quod a possibili venit, necessario adscribi non potest. Id est, quomodo natura corporis et animi mei voluntati meae applicari non potest, ut ideo sic videar esse quia volui, cum non potuerim velle antequam essem, ita malum voluntatis naturae non potest admoveri, ut necessitati possibilitatis opera misceantur.
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.