Philonis Judaei Opera Omnia (Vol. 3)

PHIL. IUD. ON THE HEIR OF DIVINE THINGS §. 5.

Where there is an answer, there is necessarily a question. And everyone asks what they do not know, deigning to learn, knowing that the most beneficial work for the sake of knowledge is to seek, to ask, to inquire, to seem to know nothing, and not to think that one has firmly grasped anything. Therefore, the wise use God as their guide and teacher, while those who are less perfect use the wise man. For this reason they also say:

"Speak you to us, and let not God speak to us, lest we die." original: "Λάλησον σὺ ἡμῖν, καὶ μὴ λαλείτω πρὸς ἡμᾶς ὁ θεός..." (Exod. 20:19)

So much frank speech parrhesia boldness does the upright man employ, that he dares not only to speak and shout, but now also to cry out against God from true faith and from a genuine passion. For the passage:

"If you forgive them their sin, forgive; but if not, blot me out of your book which you have written." original: "Εἰ ἀφῇς αὐτοῖς τὴν ἁμαρτίαν..." (Exod. 32:32)

And the passage:

"Did I conceive all this people in my womb? Or did I give birth to them, that you say to me, take them into your bosom, as a nurse carries the nursing child?" original: "Μὴ ἐγὼ ἐν γαστρὶ ἔλαβον..." (Num. 11:12)

And the passage:

"Whence shall I give meat to all this people, that they weep to me? Shall sheep and oxen be slaughtered, or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together and suffice?" original: "Πόθεν μοι κρέα δοῦναι..." (Num. 11:13)

And: "Lord, why have you brought evil upon this people?" And, "Why have you sent me?" And, "Since I went to speak to Pharaoh in your name, he has brought evil upon the people." And, "You have not rescued your people." original: "Κύριε, διὰ τί ἐκάκωσας..." (Exod. 5:22-23) One would fear to say these and suchlike things even to one of the earthly kings. But to declare them and to be bold toward God, this was for him a limit not of mere daring, but of true courage; because all the wise are friends of God, and especially according to the most holy ordinance. And frank speech is a kin of friendship. For toward whom would one speak freely if not toward one's own friend?