The Works of Philo Judaeus, Vol. 2

refutation of such doctrines and for establishing the irresistible strength of the better and true wisdom. When, after having had recourse to every expedient of contentious doctrines, men are destroyed—overwhelmed by the opposing violence of contrary arguments—then the wise man will very justly and suitably establish a most sacred chorus and melodiously sing a triumphal song. "For," says Moses, "Israel saw the Egyptians," not dead in any other place, but "on the bank original: "Greek: χεῖλος" (lip/bank) of the river." original: "Exodus xiv. 30." Meaning here by death not the separation of the soul from the body, but the impetuous onset of unholy doctrines and assertions, which men utter by the mouth, the tongue, and the other organs of speech.

But the death of speech is silence—not that silence which well-bred people cultivate, making it a symbol of modesty (for this silence is itself a faculty and a sister of that one which is developed in speech, arranging what is to be said with reference to time), but that silence which the sick and the weary endure against their will on account of the strength of their antagonists. They cannot find any handle to answer them; for whatever thing they touch slips away from them, and whatever thing they seek to take their stand on does not remain. So they of necessity fall before they stand, like that hydrostatic machine called the helix A screw-like water-lifting device, similar to an Archimedes' screw.. In the middle of that engine there are some steps; the husbandman, when he desires to water his fields, mounts upon them but is rolled round of necessity. In order to avoid falling, he is continually catching at the nearest firm thing he can lay his hands on, which he takes hold of to support his whole body. Instead of his hands he uses his feet, and instead of his feet he uses his hands; for he stands on his hands, by means of which actions are usually done, and he acts with his feet, on which it is natural to stand.

XI. But many, who are not able vigorously to refute the plausible inventions of the sophists Professional teachers of rhetoric who often argued for both sides of an issue, viewed here as practitioners of deceit. because they have not practiced discussion by reason of their continued application to action, have taken refuge in the alliance of the only wise Being and have besought Him to become their defender. As one of the friends of Moses, when praying, says in his hymns, "Let the treacherous lips become mute." original: "Psalm xxx. 19." How can they become mute if they are not curbed by the only