Complete Works of Philo Judaeus (Vol. 4)

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We have, as far as possible, accurately described in the previous work the manner in which the creation of the world was arranged. But since it is necessary to investigate the laws in logical order, having deferred the particulars, and as it were the images, we shall first investigate the more universal and, as it were, archetypal laws. These are men who lived blamelessly and well, whose virtues happen to be recorded in the most sacred writings, not only for the sake of their own praise, but also to urge those who encounter them to imitate them. For those men became living and rational laws, whom He honored for two reasons: first, wishing to show that the enacted ordinances do not deviate from nature; and second, that it is not a great labor for those who wish to live according to the established laws, since the first men easily and readily used the unwritten legislation before any of the particulars were recorded. So one might rightly say that those who enacted the laws were nothing other than recorders of the life of the ancients, chronicling the deeds and words they used. For they were neither students nor pupils of anyone, nor were they taught by teachers what they ought to do and say; but being self-taught and self-learned, they embraced the sequence of nature and, assuming that nature itself is, in truth, the oldest and most legitimate ordinance, they legislated for their entire lives. They did nothing blameworthy by their own voluntary intent, but they lamented to God concerning things that happened by chance, and appeased Him with prayers and supplications for the possession of a complete life, which is achieved through both: the things that come from providence and those that occur without voluntary intent.

§. 2. Since, therefore, hope is the beginning of the possession of good things, and the virtue-loving soul stretches and opens this like a highway, being eager to attain...