On Dreams (De Insomniis)

The text on this page is partially obscured by a large diagonal watermark from the "Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana," causing some words to appear faded or stained.

For they say that humans set things right starting from failures; for if failing once were right, then everything would be right. And what great thing is it if we also should deem ourselves worthy? For even the ungodly defend themselves; therefore, this very thing is the evil, even the creature original: "ktisma" — often referring to a created being or the physical nature as opposed to the divine. For we must not seek our path in any other way.

The heretic original: "hairetikos" — literally "one who chooses," referring here to one who chooses their own opinion over established doctrine, however, even hates his own voice, from which sins are carried out. For they say the will original: "thelema" — the faculty of choice and desire is the heretical thing. What is more concise than this? For if the soul original: "psyche" hates [evil] and the will [hates it], and the heart hates [it], then the Lord, the knower of hearts original: "kardiognostes" — a title for God as the searcher of human thoughts, will not be idle.

Therefore, from today, let us not receive this same base thing of hatred. Let the tongue not sin; nor let these eyes sin; nor let them rush toward things that belong to others. Let your feet walk uprightly original: "orthopodêsatosan" — to walk a straight path, a metaphor for moral integrity. All your inner world [then] at that time?...

Give, even if one has not given to you. Let one thing be an instruction and another be a lesson in self-control for you. Purchase the matter—not for the price of a sword, nor for gold, but the doctrine original: "dogma" — the core teachings of the faith alone. Just as if we were mixing together common metals—bronze and tin and iron and lead—we seek only the gold, so it is with the soul. But the grace original: "charis" — the unmerited favor or divine influence of God of God is able to bring about change and to cleanse evil things. For just as a corruptible body [can be sustained], the soul can be cleansed.

And may he who teaches do so as we write, or so that these words may be read and your face may not be idle.