[De contemptu mundi]

nothing more deformed or horrible can be said. But the angels who stood firm in the praise of their creator with happy constancy: and did not consent to Lucifer: were so solidified in the perfection of their beatitude through the attainment of the ultimate end: that they neither wish anymore nor can they degenerate from the glory of their dignity. And to man alone was free will given: so that he might be able to do good or evil: and to discern good from evil and evil from good. If he has done good: unto eternal life: but if evil: into eternal fire. And thus the demon is obstinate in his malignancy: the angel unless for good: but man, from the power of free will given to him, can do both. But that we may follow our style: the devil immediately gave or transformed himself into the species or body of a serpent: having the face of a virgin (He was indeed a kind of serpent bearing such a countenance): and walking erect, just as all serpents did before the curse was placed upon them: and approaching our parents: who were already standing under the tree whose fruit had been forbidden to them: he assails them with fair words: asking them: why they did not eat of such a beautiful fruit: feigning that he did not know. Which when it had been explained to him by them