Philonis Judaei Opera Omnia (Vol. 7)

P.A. 191

[...the] comparison with wisdom, which is the true fatherland and the only necessity, which is mistress of the intermediate discipline preliminary studies and conducts beautiful dances through the encyclical general/preparatory studies.

Why did Sarah say to Abraham: Behold, the Lord has concluded shut up/hindered me, so that I do not bear; go in to my handmaid, that you may have a child from her? Genesis 16:2

§. 20. In the literal sense, it is the same as not envying and providing for the wise man, who is both her husband and genuine kinsman; so that, wishing to satisfy her own sterility through the handmaid she possessed, she offered her as a concubine to her husband. Furthermore, an abundance of love toward her husband is assigned to her: for when she herself was thought to be sterile, she did not deem it right that her husband's family should be left deprived of offspring, preferring his benefit to her own dignity. This is the literal sense: but regarding the mind, she prefers this kind of reasoning: For those who are unable to produce beautiful and praiseworthy works from virtue, it is appropriate to follow the intermediate discipline; and, so to speak, to create children for themselves from the encyclical studies, for an abundance of knowledge is like a whetstone for the mind and reason. See Clement of Alexandria, Stromata I, 5. Yet it is written most excellently: He has concluded me; for that which is closed is accustomed to be opened at an opportune time; therefore, her wisdom was not destitute of hope, nor was she fixed in a plan of perpetually lacking offspring, but she knows that she will bear: yet she will bear not in the present, but when the soul demonstrates the purity of perfection. Insofar as she is imperfect, P.A. 192 it is enough for her to use a milder doctrine through the encyclical studies. Whence it is not without reason that in the sacred contests (the Olympics) as well, those who cannot take the first prizes of victory are deemed worthy of the second: for the first, second, and third prizes are proposed to the contestants by the presidents of the games, who represent nature: therefore, to this [the soul], she proposes the first prize of the virtues, but the second of the encyclopedia.