The writings of Clement of Alexandria, Vol. 1 (of 2) — John Shaqi
The writings of Clement of Alexandria, Vol. 1 (of 2)Clement, of Alexandria, Saint
Religion
The writings of Clement of Alexandria, Vol. 1 (of 2)
Clement, of Alexandria, Saint
Theology -- Early works to 1800; Theology -- History -- Early Church, ca. 30-600
Of the same sentiments is Plato, who somewhere alludes to God thus:
“Around the King of all are all things, and He is the cause of all good
things.” Who, then, is the King of all? God, who is the measure of the
truth of all existence. As, then, the things that are to be measured
are contained in the measure, so also the knowledge of God measures
and comprehends truth. And the truly holy Moses says: “There shall not
be in thy bag a balance and a balance, great or small, but a true and
just balance shall be to thee,”[66] deeming the balance and measure
and number of the whole to be God. For the unjust and unrighteous
idols are hid at home in the bag, and, so to speak, in the polluted
soul. But the only just measure is the only true God, always just,
continuing the self-same; who measures all things, and weighs them by
righteousness as in a balance, grasping and sustaining universal nature
in equilibrium. “God, therefore, as the old saying has it, occupying
the beginning, the middle, and the end of all that is in being, keeps
the straight course, while He makes the circuit of nature; and justice
always follows Him, avenging those who violate the divine law.”
Whence, O Plato, is that hint of the truth which thou givest? Whence
this rich copiousness of diction, which proclaims piety with oracular
utterance? The tribes of the barbarians, he says, are wiser than these;
I know thy teachers, even if thou wouldst conceal them. You have
learned geometry from the Egyptians, astronomy from the Babylonians;
the charms of healing you have got from the Thracians; the Assyrians
also have taught you many things; but for the laws that are consistent
with truth, and your sentiments respecting God, you are indebted to the
Hebrews,
“Who do not worship through vain deceits
The works of men, of gold, and brass, and silver, and ivory,
And images of dead men, of wood and stone,
Which other men, led by their foolish inclinations, worship;
But raise to heaven pure arms:
When they rise from bed, purifying themselves with water,
And worship alone the Eternal, who reigns for evermore.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account