Basel, Universitätsbibliothek, AN I 8

...but not the contemplation of piety; yet without this, I believe the other to be in vain. But for as many as have become displeasing according to them, they look correctly toward one thing: the sophistical manner of conversing with one another among themselves, insofar as they turn themselves toward the zeal for philosophy. And it is necessary that every worldly impulse be deceived for the sake of such a thing, and to observe the opinions of these men to such a degree of empty folly. But [this continues] until the time of the surrounding body; and from there, one must render to God, even if for a season this is necessary, instead of the phrase, "and we are able among those"; and to those who have spoken otherwise: for that man also nourished an elder.

And such nonsense falls into one thing. And you shall know these things, comparing them also for our persuasion, since they do not prevent the same thing from falling away. And those who surpass the needs, just as the things of the past—on the one hand, then, to be worn down by vexation, where some striking of their own lies; on the other hand, to offer consolation is pitiable. For they not only expect what is in the depth through such nonsense, but they also cast them into something equally greater; and there, being mixed even with the women, and where these very things proceed for you is nonsense and malice. And these things they do as if among you, provoking to no benefit. And they do not even cause them to exist. And that the eternal one should put away all such preparation concerning this, and that sacrifices should occur. And again, both for me and for those [who are] to circumscribe these very things against them by his law. — Since these things are so, and the beautiful is true and good. And it risks being nonsense, that which is among the empty, to bear such people along with those who are not observers. But until the time concerning the things that lie before us. And one must render the senses to the divinity of piety, insofar as there is no need to receive a word concerning this. And to put away the tongue as secondary with decorum, that empty tongue as well. For how could one devise nothing for the hearing of the slightest salvation? And who is toward ignorance, the simplicity of the soul? Since for the inexperienced one does not circumscribe every opinion. But it bears good fruits for us as well, and from there: and to give rest to this world. And a greater collection of healings. And there is a word also of the rebuke of wickedness, so that you might drive them away most reasonably.

After this, therefore, one must exhort such things and manifest the need here while doing so, in return for which they are able to take up; since everything is just as we said before—as, for instance, that while they dare every act of piety, they hold toward it and toward God. And thus the beautiful and the direct and the truly spoken are said concerning God. And here, that every... and there this fruit is not even bearable; but rather, if for as much as pertains to them, it seems necessary to be with the mysteries; as if rejecting more skillfully; and one must leave this behind, suppose that he also is so much for the good.

O observers, insofar as you participate in the account of this part of worldly glory. And one should try to represent this; just as they care to remove that which is the rectitude of the downward-rush. Furthermore, toward the one, it is nevertheless equal according to the greater; either glory, or according to the lesser. Instead of saying that it is both according to the greater and the equal, for he who [does] the greater will not dare to strike. And the great one calls their own labors a little and "I search," as he himself philosophizes toward him; good, then, to all those both there and in a friendly manner. But not where he will move by giving. And he excludes their wild beasts being pulled up. Just as the word of the prophet said of old, nor will he give from the other; on the contrary, most of all those from theft for the sake of providing their... and of the innate things, to heal passions, the most decorous...