Two Apologies and Dialogue with Trypho

D E D I C A T I O.

On the contrary, if we wish to hear the truth, there is no book anywhere, nor can there be, more exposed and vulnerable to that injury of time, nor one that more strongly demands all the aids and assistances of all ancient books. Above all, however, a most exquisite perception of all Jewish learning and all Christian antiquity is necessary; without which, to hope to interpret or understand the scriptures is the height of the most foolish arrogance. Those very interpreters whom they admire and prefer to the ancients (unless, just as they prefer the recent to the ancient, they also prefer those who are most ignorant of antiquity and like themselves to the best and most learned) did not ignore this in the least. Rather, having first collected from everywhere as much knowledge of all antiquity as they could—especially Christian and Jewish knowledge—thus instructed, they finally girded themselves for the arduous task.

But if anyone thinks that all antiquity has been thoroughly exhausted by the industry of these and other learned men, and therefore that it makes no difference whether one seeks its knowledge and science from the ancients themselves with great labor, or from the recent ones by a shorter and more expeditious path, that person errs vehemently. For no antiquity—least of all sacred antiquity—is either exhausted, or, given how literary matters stand now, can be exhausted over many centuries. And even if this were not the case, there would still be the greatest difference between reading the recent and the ancient. Nevertheless, I allow him to enjoy his shortcuts, provided that to me...