Contra Julianum imperatorem

Of the blessed Cyril, from the eleventh book of the Against Julian. It is true to say that the arrogant and contemptuous man, a boaster, accomplishes nothing, according to the voice of the prophet; for conceit is a hindrance to progress, according to the common saying that is on the lips of many. From the same book. Conceit is a hindrance to progress. For one who admits his ignorance could more easily be directed to matters not yet understood; but he who is under the illusion of knowing, the very appearance of knowing renders him utterly and completely unwise and ignorant; for he does not accept the words of those who teach. From the twelfth book of the Against Julian. The umpire does not simply bestow exceptional honors upon whichever athletes he wishes, but rather distributes the prizes proportionally to the successes of the contestants. From the same. To give equal shares to unequals is the greatest injustice. From the twelfth book of the Against Julian. It seems to me excellent and wise not to miss the opportune moment for actions. From the twelfth book of the Against Julian. No one would choose to speak ill, I think, as is evident to all; yet this is vulgar and common.

From the fourteenth book of the Against Julian. It is possible for every man to be able to be esteemed and to live brilliantly. From the same. Man is self-invited and goes willingly to anything whatsoever that seems good to him; it seemed good to the Creator of all to have it thus, so that for those who choose to do good, praise is fitting, and for those who go the other path, being justly reproached by all follows. From the fourteenth book of the Against Julian. The Melodist, elegantly indicating the confusion of this life and the bitter overflow of affairs in it, said, "This is the sea, the great and spacious one." From the fourteenth book of the Against Julian. The sharp things for salvation are somehow dark and not clear to all. From the fifteenth book of the Against Julian. The human mind is governed by its own wills, and goes willingly to anything whatsoever of the things to be done; it seemed right and this to the all-wise God; so that even if someone among us should come to partake of the Holy Spirit dwelling in him through holy baptism, he is not thereby prevented from living according to his own judgment and as it seems good to him; but as with free reins, he inclines both toward the good and the opposite.

From the fifteenth book of the Against Julian. There is somehow always a tendency to slander the charioteer, and lack of restraint in speech is present in many; but it is necessary, I think, that the accusations one makes against anything whatsoever be followed by proofs; but if the one who has chosen to accuse is weak in this regard, he will carry away the reputation of being a sycophant. From the fifteenth discourse of the Against Julian. Being easily deceived is characteristic only of youth, and has its pleasure only in appearance, and mocks the eyes. From the sixteenth book of the Against Julian. For those accustomed to farming excellently, it would naturally follow that they ought to be praised. From the sixteenth discourse of the Against Julian. And that the repayment of reward is proportionate to the achievements of each; the rewards will be distributed by God equal to the labors for those who have chosen to act bravely; for the Savior himself will give full assurance, saying that the distribution of the talents did not occur in equal measure, but that he set over ten cities one of those who had distinguished themselves, and over five another. For the life of each is, as it were, weighed, and the repayment of our probity will in some way exactly balance. From the sixteenth discourse of the Against Julian. He who pleases men would naturally have their praises as a kind of recompense; but he will receive nothing at all from God; for the good of manly virtue on earth, I mean, did not make him its overseer, but rather the eyes of those who see. From the sixteenth discourse of the Against Julian. Everything shameful and ugly and unsuitable for those who have chosen to live well is to insult, and no one would be such among those who aim at dignity and probity.

From the eighteenth book of the Against Julian. Each person on earth has taken the reins of his own will, and of his own accord he rushes either toward virtue or toward the worse. From the eighteenth discourse of the Against Julian. There are some, and these are very many in life, who, having assumed without examination that what seems good to them is well, firmly maintain it. They think that they speak altogether and in every way wisely and indisputably; but they steal the reputation of being wise and shrewd only so long as the argument of those who think otherwise does not meet them, rising up with sharper refutations. From the eighteenth discourse of the Against Julian. In "Nothing in excess" lies what is well; in excess lies slander. From the eighteenth discourse of the Against Julian. For those who do not have a decent and admirable life, it is burdensome, it seems, for others to be esteemed for good living and virtue; for they make the matter an accusation of their own baseness, and, irritated by the good reputations of others, they give birth to the flame of envy, although they ought rather, emulating them, to choose the better course, and, shaking every rope, to love to compete with those who are illustrious here, not to make a pretext for fault-finding of what they have been unable to achieve. From the nineteenth discourse of the Against Julian. The matter of eloquence and the brilliance of style lie very much among the pagans; yet there is nothing beneficial in them. For they did not know the God and Creator by nature, but they bring countless gods into life.