CLEMENT

THE FIRST BOOK OF THE MISCELLANIES OF GNOSTIC NOTES ACCORDING TO THE TRUE PHILOSOPHY

I. 116 S 316 P 1, 1 ... so that you may read them under hand from memory/readily and be able to keep them.” But is it necessary to leave writings to anyone at all, or not? And if the former, what is the need for letters? If the latter, should it be to the earnest or to those who are not? It would indeed be ridiculous to reject the writing of the earnest while accepting the compositions of those who are not like them. 2 But are we to allow Theopompus and Timaeus to write myths and blasphemies, and furthermore Epicurus to initiate atheism, and moreover Hipponax and Archilochus to write in such a shameful manner, yet forbid the one who proclaims the truth to leave behind benefit for people who come later? I believe it is good to leave behind good children for those who come after. Children are those of the body, but discourses are the offspring of the soul. | For this reason, we call those who have instructed us fathers, 317 P 3 and wisdom is social and philanthropic. Solomon says: “Son, if you receive the word of my commandment and hide it with yourself, your ear will obey wisdom.” He indicates that the sown word should be hidden as if in the earth of the soul of the learner, and this is a spiritual planting. Therefore he adds: 2, 1 “And you shall apply your heart to understanding, and you shall apply it to the admonition of your son.” For I believe that as soul is joined to soul and spirit to spirit through the sowing of the word, it increases what has been deposited and brings it to life; and every one who is instructed in obedience to the teacher is a son.

Footnotes:
1-4: The first sheet of L is missing; cf. Vol. I, Introduction, p. XL. Regarding the title of the entire work, cf. Stromata I 182, 3; III 110, 3; V 141, 3; VI 1, 1; Eusebius, Church History VI 13, 1; Photius, Codex 111 (abbreviated, e.g., Stromata V 10, 1; 95, 1; VI 4, 1; Eusebius, Church History V 11, 2; Photius, Codex 109, 111).
10: ἀθεότητι in atheism (the letters 'τητι' are on an erasure) L¹.