To Florus 5.58
A substance’s beginning, and its good beginning, are governed by the unity of necessity. The human being also receives freedom of will, still within the line of necessity. But here necessary things end; from this point wills divide into opposites. The nature of division does not belong to necessity’s unity. Thus we are compelled to possess the capacity, but not compelled to use that capacity either well or badly. The capacity to sin is therefore capable of good and evil, but voluntary good and evil, because it could not be capable of a person’s own good unless it were capable of wrongdoing too.
Latin
Et incipere, et bene incipere substantiam, a necessarii unione dirigitur. Accipit etiam arbitrii libertatem; aeque adhuc necessarii linea continetur; sed iam necessariorum finis est; hinc finduntur in contraria voluntates. Ad unionem ergo necessarii divisionis natura non pertinet. Ita possibilitatem habere cogimur; uti autem vel bene vel male ipsa possibilitate non cogimur. Ita fit ut etiam possibilitas peccandi capax boni malique, sed voluntarii sit; quoniam boni proprii capax esse non poterat, nisi capax esset et pravi.
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.