The Works of Philo Judaeus, Vol. 2

PHILO JUDÆUS.

For it was not? the languages that were the causes of men uniting for evil objects, but the emulation and rivalry of their souls in wrong-doing. Even those who have had their tongues cut out can intimate what they wish by nods, looks, and other body motions, as effectively as by the distinct utterance of words. Besides this, one nation by itself—having not merely one language, but one code of laws and one system of manners—has often reached such a pitch of iniquity that it may counterbalance the sins of all the men in the world put together. And again, through ignorance of foreign languages, many have been overwhelmed by those plotting against them; conversely, by knowledge of foreign languages, men have been able to repel dangers. Thus, a community of language is an advantageous thing rather than an injurious one, since nothing contributes so greatly to the safety of a people as their being of one language. If a man has learned many dialects, he is immediately looked upon with respect by those who are also acquainted with them, as being a friendly person; such familiarity provides a feeling of security. Why, then, did God remove the sameness of language among men if it seems it should have been established as a useful thing?

V. Those who cavil at these things and raise malicious objections will be easily refuted by those who can provide solutions to such questions, arguing not in a contentious spirit or through sophisms, but by following the connection of natural consequences, which prevents them from stumbling.