To Florus 6.1
I do not doubt that until now our dispute has been regarded as concerning an obscure question rather than the heart of the faith. People living far from spiritual pursuits are moved only by passing breezes of rumor. Fearing the hostility of the times and lacking the protection of verified truth—as commonly happens amid alarm, when people trust no one less than themselves—they think the more crowded road the safer one.
Latin
Non dubito eiusmodi opinionem hactenus super nostro fuisse certamine, ut ad quaestionem involutam magis, quam ad summam spectare fidei crederetur. Procul quippe ab studiis spiritalibus agitantes, solis famae aurulis commoventur; temporumque formidantes invidiam, nec compertae veritatis praesidium tenentes (ut fere in rebus trepidis, nulli minus quam sibi creditur), tutius iter, quod frequentius, arbitrantur.
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.