Julian excerpts and cited authorities
Against Julian 5.15.53
Even if newborns could draw some evil from their parents, it would be cleansed by God’s hands, because he himself forms them in their mothers’ wombs.
God’s works are hidden (compare Sirach 3:22–23).
This pronouncement exposes the emptiness of those who think nature’s depths can be comprehended by some investigation.
‘I do not know how you appeared in my womb’ (2 Maccabees 7:22).
Why are children not cleansed by the very act of their making, so that the maker’s majesty purifies them from the alleged pollutions of their parents?
Latin
etiam si nascentes mali aliquid ex parentibus trahere possent, quod expiaretur manibus Dei, quia eos ipse format in uteris matrum
Quae sententia eorum arguit vanitatem, qui putant naturalem profunditatem posse investigatione aliqua comprehendi
Cur non ipso filii mundentur effectu, ut a pollutionibus - inquis - quae dicuntur parentum, maiestate opificis expientur?
About this text
Earlier four-book work to Turbantius, surviving as excerpts arranged by Augustine’s witness. Latin source text is on each section when recovered.
English follows Julian’s words as Augustine excerpts them in Against Julian. This is not a recovered complete To Turbantius.
Witnesses
- Copy-text Augustine, Against Julian (Latin · Excerpts arranged by Augustine’s books)
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.