Philonis Judaei Opera Omnia (Vol. 3)

PHIL. IUD. ON THE HEIR OF DIVINE THINGS §. 1. 2.

Of such a promise the wise man heard, "Your reward shall be very great," original: "Ὁ μισθός σου πολὺς σφόδρα," (Gen. 15:1) he asks, saying, "What will you give me, Master? I am going on childless. The son of my housekeeper original: "οἰκέτιδος" will be my heir, this 482 P. Damascene Eliezer." And again, "Since you have not given me offspring, my household servant original: "οἰκογενής" will be my heir." And yet, who would not be struck dumb and breathless by the dignity and magnitude of the one speaking the oracle, if not from fear, then from overwhelming joy? For, just as deep sorrows silence us, so do excessive joys. Hence, Moses confesses that he became "thick-lipped and slow-tongued, from the time God began to speak to him." original: "ἰσχνόφωνος καὶ βραδύγλωσσος" (Exod. 4:10) And the testimony of the prophet is true; for then it is likely that the vocal instrument is held back, while the reason logos rational principle articulated in the mind is put into use with an unsubjugated flow, philosophizing on the successive beauties of concepts rather than words, with a well-turning and high-speaking power. Admirable virtues are both boldness and appropriate frankness parrhesia frank speech/boldness toward one's superiors, such that even the comic poet seems to have spoken truly, rather than comically:

§. 2. When, then, does a servant show frank speech toward a master? Is it not when he is conscious of no wrongdoing on his own part, and is saying and doing everything for the sake of his owner? When, then, is it worthy for the servant of God to speak freely toward his own ruler and master, and the master of the universe? It is when he is free from sins, and judges his devotion to his master from his own conscience, finding more joy in being a servant of God than if he ruled over the whole human