To Florus 6.5
Against us, Mani believes mortals are driven by nature into shameful acts and crimes. He supposes the origin of darkness supplied the material both for bodies and for crimes; that sexual pleasure is the corruption of the human race, the vindication of the devil’s claim, and the force driving people into every dishonor. The advocate of inherited sin follows him in every way, as his heir and offspring, repeatedly proclaiming natural crimes, an eternal necessity of evil arising from dark nothingness, and an affection assigned to the senses that pollutes all the saints and places God’s image in the devil’s kingdom (Genesis 1:26–27).
Latin
Credit quippe adversum nos Manichaeus naturaliter mortales in flagitia facinoraque compelli; opinatur tenebrarum originem et corporibus materiam et criminibus praestitisse; voluptatem sexuum tabem esse generis humani, assertricem iuris diabolici, et in universa dedecora hominum coactricem. Quem Traducianus omnifariam secutus, quippe eius haeres et soboles, naturalia crimina, aeternam de tenebroso nihilo mali necessitatem, et affectionem sensibus destinatam sanctorum omnium pollutricem atque imaginem Dei in regno diaboli collocantem, oratione multiplici testatur.
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.