Post on 07-Aug-2018
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E D I T I O N D E L A P A C I F I C A T I O N
T H E W O R K S O F
VOLTAIRE A CONTEMPORARY VERSION
W ITH NOTES BY TOBIAS SMOLLETT, R EVISED AND MODERNIZED
NEW TRANSLATIONS BY W ILLIAM F. FLEMING, AND AN
INTRODUCTION BY OLIVER H. G. LEIGH
A CRITIQUE AND BIOGRAPHY
BY
T H E R T . H O N . J O H N M O R L E Y
F O R T Y - T H R E E V O L U M E S
ONE HUNDRED ANS SIXTY-EIGHT DESIGNS, COMPRISINGS REPRODUCTIONS
OF RARE OLD ENGRAVINGS, STEEL PLATES, PHOTOGRAVURES,
AND CURIOUS FAC-SIMILES
VOLUME V
AKRON, OHIO
THE WERNER COMPANY
1!"
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The WORKS of VOLTAIRE
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EDITION DE LA PACIFICATION
Limited to one thousand sets
for America and reat !ritain"
#!et$een t$o ser%ants of &umanit'( $ho a))eared
ei*hteen hundred 'ears a)art( there is a m'sterious re+ation"
, , , , Let us sa' it $ith a sentiment of
)rofound res)ect- .ES/S WEPT- VOLTAIRE S0ILED"
Of that di%ine tear and of that human smi+e is com)osed the
s$eetness of the )resent ci%i+i1ation"#
VICTOR &/O"
VOLTAIRE AT T&E A23 E OR T&IRT4
EDITION DE LA PACIFICATION
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T&E WORKS OF
VOLTAI RE
A CONTE0PORAR4 VERSION
WIT& NOTES !4 TO!IAS S0OLLETT( REVISED AND 0ODERNI5ED
NEW TRANSLATIONS !4 WILLIA0 F" FLE0IN( AND AN
INTROD/CTION !4 OLIVER &" ( LEI&
A CRITI6/E AND !IORAP&4
!4
T&E RT" &ON" .O&N 0ORLE4
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FORT47T&REE VOL/0ES
ONE &/NDRED AND SI8T47!I&T DESINS( CO0PRISIN REPROD/CTIONS
OF RA8! OLD ENRAVINS( STEEL PLATES( P&OTORAV/RES(
A0D C/RIO/S FAC7SI0IL93
VOL/0E V
COPTEI&T :;<:
!4 E" R" Du0oNT
OWNED !4
T&E WERNER CO0PANT
AKRON( O&IO
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0ADE !4
T&E WERNER CO0PANV
AKRON( O&IO
Stac=
Anne>
P6
?<@
ESB
:;<B
'"S
VOLTAIRE
A P&ILOSOP&ICAL DICTIONAR4
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VOL" I
A( !( C7 APPARITION
A P&ILOSOP&ICAL DICTIONAR4"
The DICTIONNAIRE P&ILOSOP&I6/E is Vo+taires
)rinci)a+ essa' in )hi+oso)h'( thou*h not a sustained
$or=" The misce++aneous artic+es he contriuted to
Diderots ENC4CLOPEDIE $hich com)ose this Dic7
tionar' emod' a mass of scho+ar+' research( criti7
cism( and s)ecu+ation( +it u) $ith )un*ent sa++ies at
the forma+ and t'rannous ecc+esiasticism of the
)eriod and the ases of e+ief on $hich it stood"
These short studies reect e%er' )hase of Vo+7
taires s)ar=+in* *enius" Thou*h some of the %ie$s
enunciated in them are no$ uni%ersa++' he+d( and
others ha%e ecome oso+ete throu*h e>tended
=no$+ed*e( the' $ere start+in*+' ne$ $hen Vo+taire(
at )eri+ of freedom and re)utation( s)read them e7
fore the )eo)+e of a++ ci%i+i1ed nations( $ho read
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them sti++ $ith their rst charm of st'+e and su7
stance"
LIST OF PLATES
VOL" V
PACK
VOLTAIRE AT T&E AE OF T&IRT4 Frontis)iece
0A&O0ET ;G
Louis AND 0DLLE" DE LA VALLIERE " " :9?
ANCIENT REECE ?GG
A P&ILOSOP&ICAL DICTIONAR4"
A"
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T&E +etter A has een accounted sacred in a+most
e%er' nation( ecause it $as the rst +etter" The
E*')tians added this to their numer+ess su)ersti7
tionsH hence it $as that the ree=s of A+e>andria
ca++ed it hier a+)haH and( as ome*a $as the +ast of the
+etters( these $ords a+)ha and ome*a si*nied the
e*innin* and the end of a++ thin*s" This $as the
ori*in of the caa+istic art( and of more than one
m'sterious fo++'"
The +etters ser%ed as ci)hers( and to e>)ress mu7
sica+ notes" .ud*e $hat an innit' of usefu+ =no$+7
ed*e must thus ha%e een )roduced" A( ( c( d( e(
f( *( $ere the se%en hea%ensH the harmon' of the
ce+estia+ s)heres $as com)osed of the se%en rst +et7
ters H and an acrostic accounted for e%er'thin* amon*
the e%er %enera+e Ancients"
A( !( C( OR ALP&A!ET"
W&4 has not the a+)haet a name in an' Euro)ean
+an*ua*e A+)haet si*nies nothin* more than A(
!( and A( !( si*nies nothin*( or ut indicates t$o
sounds( $hich t$o sounds ha%e no re+ation to each
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B Phi+oso)hica+
other" !eta is not formed from a+)haH one is rst(
the other is second( and no one =no$s $h'"
&o$ can it ha%e ha))ened that terms are sti++
$antin* to e>)ress the )orta+ of a++ the sciences
The =no$+ed*e of numers( the art of numeration(
is not ca++ed the one7t$oH 'et the rst rudiment of
the art of e>)ressin* our thou*hts has not in a++
Euro)e otained a )ro)er desi*nation"
The a+)haet is the rst )art of *rammar H )erha)s
those $ho are acJuainted $ith Araic( of $hich I
ha%e not the s+i*htest notion( can inform me $hether
that +an*ua*e( $hich is said to contain no fe$er than
ei*ht' $ords to e>)ress a horse( has one $hich si*7
nies the a+)haet"
I )rotest that I =no$ no more of Chinese than of
Araic( ut I ha%e read( in a sma++ Chinese %ocau7
+ar'( that this nation has a+$a's had t$o $ords to
e>)ress the cata+o*ue or +ist of the characters of its
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+an*ua*e - one is =o7tou( the other hai7)ienH $e ha%e
neither =o7tou nor hai7)ien in our Occidenta+
ton*ues" The ree=s( $ho $ere no more adroit than
ourse+%es( a+so said a+)haet" Seneca( the )hi+os7
o)her( used the ree= )hrase to desi*nate an o+d
man $ho( +i=e me( as=s Juestions on *rammar( ca++7
in* him S=edon ana+)haetos" No$ the ree=s had
this same a+)haet from the Phoenicians from that
)eo)+e ca++ed the +etter nation ' the &ere$s them7
se+%es( $hen the +atter( at so +ate a )eriod( $ent to
sett+e in their nei*horhood"
It ma' $e++ e su))osed that the Phoenicians( '
Dictionar'" @
communicatin* their characters to the ree=s( ren7
dered them a *reat ser%ice in de+i%erin* them from
the emarrassment occasioned ' the E*')tian
mode of $ritin* tau*ht them ' Cecro)s" The
Phoenicians( in the ca)acit' of merchants( sou*ht to
ma=e e%er'thin* eas' of com)rehensionH $hi+e the
E*')tians( in their ca)acit' of inter)reters of the
*ods( stro%e to ma=e e%er'thin* dicu+t"
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I can ima*ine I hear a Phoenician merchant +anded
in Achaia sa'in* to a ree= corres)ondent- #Our
characters are not on+' eas' to $rite( and communi7
cate the thou*hts as $e++ as the sound of the %oice H
the' a+so e>)ress our res)ecti%e dets" 0' a+e)h(
$hich 'ou choose to )ronounce a+)ha( stands for an
ounce of si+%er( eta for t$o ounces( tau for a hun7
dred( si*ma for t$o hundred" I o$e 'ou t$o hun7
dred ounces H I )a' 'ou a tau( and sti++ o$e 'ou an7
other tauH thus $e sha++ soon ma=e our rec=onin*"#
It $as most )roa+' ' mutua+ trac $hich ad7
ministered to their $ants( that societ' $as rst esta7
+ished amon* menH and it is necessar' that those
et$een $hom commerce is carried on shou+d under7
stand one another"
The E*')tians did not a))+' themse+%es to com7
merce unti+ a %er' +ate )eriod H the' had a horror of
the seaH it $as their T')hon" The T'rians( on the
contrar'( $ere na%i*ators from time immemoria+ H
the' rou*ht to*ether those nations $hich Nature
had se)arated( and re)aired those ca+amities into
$hich the re%o+utions of the $or+d freJuent+'
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9 Phi+oso)hica+
)+un*ed a +ar*e )ortion of man=ind" The ree=s( in
their turn( carried to other nations their commerce
and their con%enient a+)haet( $hich +atter $as a+7
tered a +itt+e( as the ree=s had a+tered that of the
T'rians" When their merchants( $ho $ere after7
$ards made demi7*ods( $ent to Co+chis to esta+ish
a trade in shee)s=ins $hence $e ha%e the fa+e of
the *o+den eece the' communicated their +etters to
the )eo)+e of the countr'( $ho sti++ 7retain them $ith
some a+teration" The' ha%e not ado)ted the a+)ha7
et of the Tur=s( to $hom the' are at )resent su7
Mect( ut $hose 'o=e( than=s to the Em)ress of Rus7
sia( I ho)e the' $i++ thro$ o"
It is %er' +i=e+' I do not sa' it is certain od
forid Q that neither T're nor E*')t( nor an' other
countr' situated near the 0editerranean Sea( com7
municated its a+)haet to the nations of Eastern Asia"
If( for e>am)+e( the T'rians( or the Cha+daeans( $ho
d$e+t near the Eu)hrates( had communicated their
method to the Chinese( some traces of it $ou+d ha%e
remainedH $e shou+d ha%e had the si*ns of the
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t$ent'7t$o( t$ent'7three( or t$ent'7four +etters(
$hereas the' ha%e a si*n for each $ord in their +an7
*ua*e H and the numer of their $ords( $e are to+d(
is ei*ht' thousand" This method has nothin* in
common $ith that of T're H it is se%ent'7nine thou7
sand nine hundred and se%ent'7si> times more
+earned and more emarrassin* than our o$n" !e7
sides this )rodi*ious dierence( the' $rite from the
to) to the ottom of the )a*e H $hi+e the T'rians and
Dictionar'" *
the Cha+dasans $rote from ri*ht to +eft( and the
ree=s( +i=e ourse+%es( $rote from +eft to ri*ht"
E>amine the Tartar( the &indoo( the Siamese( the
.a)anese characters H 'ou $i++ not nd the +east re7
sem+ance to the ree= or the Phoenician a+)haet"
4et a++ these nations( and not these a+one( ut
e%en the &ottentots and Kars( )ronounce the
%o$e+s and consonants as $e do( ecause the +ar'n>
in them is essentia++' the same as in us Must as the
throat of the rudest oor is made +i=e that of the
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nest o)era7sin*er( the dierence( $hich ma=es of
one a rou*h( discordant( insu))orta+e ass( and of
the other a %oice s$eeter than the ni*htin*a+es( ein*
im)erce)ti+e to the most acute anatomist H or( as the
rain of a foo+ is for a++ the $or+d +i=e the rain of a
*reat *enius"
When $e said that the T'rian merchants tau*ht
the ree=s their A( !( C( $e did not )retend that
the' a+so tau*ht them to s)ea=" It is )roa+e that
the Athenians a+read' e>)ressed themse+%es in a
etter manner than the )eo)+e of Lo$er S'ria H their
throats $ere more e>i+e( and their $ords $ere a
more ha))' assem+a*e of %o$e+s( consonants( and
di)hthon*s" The +an*ua*e of the Phoenician )eo7
)+e $as rude and *ross( consistin* of such $ords as
ShasirothMAshtaroth( Shaaoth( Choti=et( Tho)heth(
etc" enou*h to terrif' a son*stress from the o)era
of Na)+es" Su))ose that the Romans of the )resent
da' had retained the ancient Etrurian a+)haet( and
some Dutch traders rou*ht them that $hich the'
+o Phi+oso)hica+
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no$ use H the Romans $ou+d do %er' $e++ to recei%e
their characters( ut it is not at a++ +i=e+' that the'
$ou+d s)ea= the !ata%ian +an*ua*e" .ust so $ou+d
the )eo)+e of Athens dea+ $ith the sai+ors of Ca)thor(
$ho had come from T're or !aireuthH the' $ou+d
ado)t their a+)haet as ein* etter than that of
0israim or E*')t( ut $ou+d reMect their s)eech"
Phi+oso)hica++' s)ea=in*( and settin* aside a++ in7
ferences to e dra$n from the &o+' Scri)tures(
$hich certain+' are not here the suMect of discussion(
is not the )rimiti%e +an*ua*e a tru+' +au*ha+e
chimera
What $ou+d e thou*ht of a man $ho shou+d
see= to disco%er $hat had een the )rimiti%e cr' of a++
anima+s H and ho$ it ha))ens that( after a series of
a*es( shee) +eat( cats me$( do%es coo( +innets
$hist+e The' understand one another )erfect+'
in their res)ecti%e idioms( and much etter than $e
do" E%er' s)ecies has its +an*ua*e H that of the Es7
Juimau> $as ne%er that of Peru H there has no more
een a )rimiti%e +an*ua*e or a )rimiti%e a+)haet
than there ha%e een )rimiti%e oa=s or )rimiti%e
*rass"
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Se%era+ rais assert that the Samaritan $as the
ori*ina+ ton*ue H other )ersons sa' that it $as that
of Lo$er !rittan'" We ma' sure+'( $ithout of7
fendin* either the )eo)+e of !rittan' or those of
Samaria( admit no ori*ina+ ton*ue"
0a' $e not( a+so( $ithout oendin* an' one( su)7
)ose that the a+)haet ori*inated in cries and e>c+a7
Dictionar'" : :
mations Infants of themse+%es articu+ate one sound
$hen an oMect catches their attention( another $hen
the' +au*h( and a third $hen the' are $hi))ed(
$hich the' ou*ht not to e"
As for the t$o +itt+e o's $hom the E*')tian
=in* Psammeticus $hich( ' the '( is not an
E*')tian $ord rou*ht u)( in order to =no$ $hat
$as the )rimiti%e +an*ua*e( it seems hard+' )ossi+e
that the' shou+d oth ha%e cried ee ee $hen the'
$anted their rea=fast"
From e>c+amations formed ' %o$e+s as natura+
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to chi+dren as croa=in* is to fro*s( the transition
to a com)+ete a+)haet is not so *reat as it ma' e
thou*ht" A mother must a+$a's ha%e said to her
chi+d the eJui%a+ent of come( *o( ta=e( +ea%e( hush
etc" These $ords re)resent nothin*H the' descrie
nothin*H ut a *esture ma=es them inte++i*i+e"
From these sha)e+ess rudiments $e ha%e( it is
true( an immense distance to tra%e+ efore $e arri%e
at s'nta>" It is a+most terrif'in* to contem)+ate
that from the sim)+e $ord come( $e ha%e arri%ed
at such sentences as the fo++o$in* - 0other( I shou+d
ha%e come $ith )+easure( and shou+d ha%e oe'ed
'our commands( $hich are e%er dear to me( if I
had not( $hen runnin* to$ards 'ou( fa++en ac=7
$ards( $hich caused a thorn to run into m' +eft +e*"
It a))ears to m' astonished ima*ination that it
must ha%e reJuired a*es to adMust this sentence( and
a*es more to )ut it into +an*ua*e" &ere $e mi*ht
te++( or endea%or to te++( the reader ho$ such $ords
: ? Phi+oso)hica+
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are e>)ressed and )ronounced in e%er' +an*ua*e of
the earth( as father( mother( +and( $ater( da'( ni*ht(
eatin*( drin=in*( etc"( ut $e must( as much as )os7
si+e( a%oid a))earin* ridicu+ous"
The a+)haetica+ characters( denotin* at once the
names of thin*s( their numer( and the dates of
e%ents( the ideas of men( soon ecame m'steries e%en
to those $ho had in%ented the si*ns" The Cha+daeans(
the S'rians( and the E*')tians attriuted somethin*
di%ine to the comination of the +etters and the man7
ner of )ronouncin* them" The' e+ie%ed that names
had a force a %irtue inde)endent+' of the thin*s
$hich the' re)resented H the' $ent so far as to )re7
tend that the $ord $hich si*nied )o$er $as )o$er7
fu+ in itse+fH that $hich e>)ressed an an*e+ $as
an*e+ic( and that $hich *a%e the idea of od $as
di%ine" The science of numers natura++' ecame a
)art of necromanc'( and no ma*ica+ o)eration cou+d
e )erformed $ithout the +etters of the a+)haet"
Thus the c+ue to a++ =no$+ed*e +ed to e%er' error"
The ma*i of e%er' countr' used it to conduct them7
se+%es into the +a'rinth $hich the' had constructed(
and $hich the rest of man=ind $ere not )ermitted to
enter" The manner of )ronouncin* %o$e+s and con7
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sonants ecame the most )rofound of m'steries( and
often the most terri+e" There $as( amon* the S'r7
ians and E*')tians( a manner of )ronouncin* .e7
ho%ah $hich $ou+d cause a man to fa++ dead"
St" C+ement of A+e>andria re+ates that 0oses
=i++ed a =in* of E*')t on the s)ot ' soundin* this
Dictionar'" :3
name in his ear( after $hich he rou*ht him to +ife
a*ain ' )ronouncin* the same $ord" St" C+ement
is %er' e>act H he cites the author( the +earned Arta7
)anus" Who can im)each the testimon' of Arta7
)anus
Nothin* tended more to retard the )ro*ress of the
human mind that this )rofound science of error
$hich s)run* u) amon* the Asiatics $ith the ori*in
of truth" The uni%erse $as ruta+i1ed ' the %er' art
that shou+d ha%e en+i*htened it" Of this $e ha%e
*reat e>am)+es in Ori*en( C+ement of A+e>andria(
Tertu++ian( etc"
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Ori*en( in )articu+ar( e>)ress+' sa's - #If( $hen
in%o=in* od( or s$earin* ' him( 'ou ca++ him the
od of Araham( Isaac( and .aco 'ou $i++( '
these $ords( do thin*s the nature and force of $hich
are such that the e%i+ s)irits sumit to those $ho
)ronounce themH ut if 'ou ca++ him ' another
name as od of the roarin* sea( etc"( no eort $i++
e )roduced" The name of Israe+ rendered in ree=
$i++ $or= nothin* H ut )ronounce it in &ere$ $ith
the other $ords reJuired( and 'ou $i++ eect the
conMuration"#
The same Ori*en had these remar=a+e $ords-
#There are names $hich are )o$erfu+ from their o$n
nature" Such are those used ' the sa*es of E*')t(
the ma*i of Persia( and the !rahmins of India"
What is ca++ed ma*ic is not a %ain and chimerica+ art(
as the Stoics and E)icureans )retend" The names
Saaoth and Adonai $ere not made for created
:G Phi+oso)hica+
ein*s( ut e+on* to a m'sterious theo+o*' $hich
has reference to the creator H hence the %irtue of these
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names $hen the' are arran*ed and )ronounced ac7
cordin* to ru+e(# etc"
It $as ' )ronouncin* +etters accordin* to the
ma*ica+ method( that the moon $as made to descend
to the earth" Vir*i+ must e )ardoned for ha%in*
faith in this nonsense( and s)ea=in* of it serious+'
in his ei*hth ec+o*ue -
Carmina de cce+o )ossunt deducere +unam"
Pa+e Phoee( dra$n ' %erse( from hea%en descends"
DR4DENS VIRIL"
In short( the a+)haet $as the ori*ia of a++ mans
=no$+ed*e( and of a++ his errors"
A!!E"
T&E $ord ae( +et it e rememered( si*nies
father" If 'ou ecome one 'ou render a ser%ice to
the state H 'ou dout+ess )erform the est $or= that
a man can )erformH 'ou *i%e irth to a thin=in*
ein* - in this action there is somethin* di%ine" !ut
if 'ou are on+' 0onsieur IAe ecause 'ou ha%e
had 'our head sha%ed( $ear a sma++ co++ar( and a
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short c+oa=( and are $aitin* for a fat enece( 'ou
do not deser%e the name of ae"
The ancient mon=s *a%e this name to the su)erior
$hom the' e+ectedH the ae $as their s)iritua+
father" What dierent thin*s do the same $ords
si*nif' at dierent times The s)iritua+ ae $as
once a )oor man at the head of others eJua++' )oor H
ut the )oor s)iritua+ fathers ha%e since had incomes
Dictionar'" :
of t$o hundred or four hundred thousand +i%res( and
there are )oor s)iritua+ fathers in erman' $ho ha%e
re*iments of *uards"
A )oor man( ma=in* a %o$ of )o%ert'( and in con7
seJuence ecomin* a so%erei*n Tru+'( this is in7
to+era+e" The +a$s e>c+aim a*ainst such an ause H
re+i*ion is indi*nant at it( and the rea++' )oor( $ho
$ant food and c+othin*( a))ea+ to hea%en a*ainst
0onsieur I Ae"
!ut I hear the aes of Ita+'( erman'( F+anders(
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and !ur*und' as= - #Wh' are not $e to accumu+ate
$ea+th and honors Wh' are $e not to ecome
)rinces The isho)s are( $ho $ere ori*ina++' )oor(
+i=e us H the' ha%e enriched and e+e%ated themse+%es H
one of them has ecome su)erior e%en to =in*s H +et
us imitate them as far as $e are a+e"#
ent+emen( 'ou are ri*ht" In%ade the +and H it e7
+on*s to him $hose stren*th or s=i++ otains )osses7
sion of it" 4ou ha%e made am)+e use of the times of
i*norance( su)erstition( and infatuation( to stri) us
of our inheritances( and tram)+e us under 'our feet(
that 'ou mi*ht fatten on the sustance of the unfor7
tunate" Trem+e( for fear that the da' of reason
$i++ arri%e
A!!E4 A!!OT"
SECTION I"
AN ae' is a re+i*ious communit'( *o%erned '
an aot or an aess"
The $ord aot aas in Latin and ree=( aa
in Cha+dee and S'riac came from the &ere$ a(
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: B Phi+oso)hica+
meanin* father" The .e$ish doctors too= this tit+e
throu*h )ride H therefore .esus said to his disci)+es -
#Ca++ no one 'our father u)on the earth( for one is
'our Father $ho is in hea%en"#
A+thou*h St" .erome $as much enra*ed a*ainst
the mon=s of his time( $ho( in s)ite of our Lords
command( *a%e or recei%ed the tit+e of aot( the
Si>th Counci+ of Paris decided that if aots are s)ir7
itua+ fathers and e*et s)iritua+ sons for the Lord(
it is $ith reason that the' are ca++ed aots"
Accordin* to this decree( if an' one deser%ed this
a))e++ation it e+on*ed most assured+' to St" !ene7
dict( $ho( in the 'ear ?9( founded on 0ount Cas7
sino( in the =in*dom of Na)+es( that societ' so emi7
nent for $isdom and discretion( and so *ra%e in its
s)eech and in its st'+e" These are the terms used '
Po)e St" re*or'( $ho does not fai+ to mention the
sin*u+ar )ri%i+e*e $hich it )+eased od to *rant to
this ho+' founder that a++ !enedictines $ho die on
0ount Cassino are sa%ed" It is not( then( sur)risin*
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that these mon=s rec=on si>teen thousand canon7
i1ed saints of their order" The !enedictine sisters
e%en assert that the' are $arned of their a))roach7
in* disso+ution ' some nocturna+ noise( $hich the'
ca++ the =noc=s of St" !enedict"
It ma' $e++ e su))osed that this ho+' aot did
not for*et himse+f $hen e**in* the sa+%ation of his
disci)+es" Accordin*+'( on the ?ist of 0arch( G3(
the e%e of Passion Sunda'( $hich $as the da' of his
death( t$o mon=s one of them in the monaster'(
Dictionar'" :@
the other at a distance from it had the same %ision"
The' sa$ a +on* road co%ered $ith car)ets( and
+i*hted ' an innite numer of torches( e>tendin*
east$ard from the monaster' to hea%en" A %ener7
a+e )ersona*e a))eared( and as=ed them for $hom
this road $as made" The' said the' did not =no$"
#It is that(# reMoined he( #' $hich !enedict( the
$e++7e+o%ed of od( has ascended into hea%en"#
An order in $hich sa+%ation $as so $e++ secured
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soon e>tended itse+f into other states( $hose so%er7
ei*ns a++o$ed themse+%es to e )ersuaded that( to
e sure of a )+ace in Paradise( it $as on+' necessar' to
ma=e themse+%es a friend in it( and that ' donations
to the churches the' mi*ht atone for the most cr'in*
inMustices and the most enormous crimes"
Connin* ourse+%es to France( $e read in the
#E>)+oits of Kin* Da*oert# estes du Roi Da*o7
ert( the founder of the ae' of St" Denis( near
Paris( that this )rince( after death( $as condemned
' the Mud*ment of od( and that a hermit named
.ohn( $ho d$e+t on the coast of Ita+'( sa$ his sou+
chained in a oat and eaten ' de%i+s( $ho $ere ta=7
in* him to$ards Sici+' to thro$ him into the er'
mouth of Etna H ut a++ at once St" Denis a))eared
on a +uminous *+oe( )receded ' thunder and +i*ht7
nin*( and( ha%in* )ut the e%i+ s)irits to i*ht( and
rescued the )oor sou+ from the c+utches of the most
crue+( ore it to hea%en in trium)h(
f'7 Char+es 0arte+( on the contrar'( $as damned
od' and sou+ for ha%in* re$arded his ca)tains
Vo+" ?
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: 9 Phi+oso)hica+
' *i%in* them ae's" These( thou*h +a'men( ore
the tit+e of aot( as married $omen ha%e since orne
that of aess( and had con%ents of fema+es" A ho+'
isho) of L'ons( named Eucher( ein* at )ra'er( had
the fo++o$in* %ision - &e thou*ht he $as +ed ' an
an*e+ into he++( $here he sa$ Char+es 0arte+( $ho(
the an*e+ informed him( had een condemned to e%er7
+astin* ames ' the saints $hose churches he had
des)oi+ed" St" Eucher $rote an account of this re%7
e+ation to !oniface( isho) of 0a'ence( and to Fu+7
rad( *rand cha)+ain to Pe)in7+e7ref( )ra'in* them
to o)en the tom of Char+es 0arte+ and see if his
od' $ere there" The tom $as o)ened" The inte7
rior of it ore mar=s of re( ut nothin* $as found
in it e>ce)t a *reat ser)ent( $hich issued forth $ith a
c+oud of oensi%e smo=e"
!oniface $as so =ind as to $rite to Pe)in7+e7ref
and to Car+oman a++ these )articu+ars re+ati%e to the
damnation of their father H and $hen( in 99( Louis
of erman' sei1ed some ecc+esiastica+ )ro)ert'( the
isho)s of the assem+' of Creci reminded him( in a
+etter( of a++ the )articu+ars of this terri+e stor'(
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addin* that the' had them from a*ed men( on $hose
$ord the' cou+d re+'( and $ho had een e'e7$it7
nesses of the $ho+e"
St" !ernard( rst aot of C+air%au>( in ::: had
+i=e$ise had it re%ea+ed to him that a++ $ho recei%ed
the monastic hait from his hand shou+d e sa%ed"
Ne%erthe+ess( Po)e /ran II"( ha%in*( in a u++ dated
:<;?( *i%en to the ae' of 0ount Cassino the tit+e
Dictionar'" i*
of chief of a++ monasteries( ecause from that s)ot
the %enera+e re+i*ion of the monastic order had
o$ed from the osom of !enedict as from a ce+es7
tia+ s)rin*( the Em)eror Lothario continued this
)rero*ati%e ' a charter of the 'ear : :3@( $hich *a%e
to the monaster' of 0ount Cassino the )re7eminence
in )o$er and *+or' o%er a++ the monasteries $hich
$ere or mi*ht e founded throu*hout the $or+d( and
ca++ed u)on a++ the aots and mon=s in Christendom
to honor and re%erence it"
Pascha+ II"( in a u++ of the 'ear :::3( addressed
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to the aot of 0ount Cassino( e>)resses himse+f
thus - #We decree that 'ou( as +i=e$ise a++ 'our suc7
cessors( sha++( as ein* su)erior to a++ aots( e a+7
+o$ed to sit in e%er' assem+' of isho)s or )rinces H
and that in a++ Mud*ments 'ou sha++ *i%e 'our o)in7
ion efore an' other of 'our order"# The aot of
C+uni ha%in* a+so dared to ca++ himse+f the aot of
aots( the )o)es chance++or decided( in a counci+
he+d at Rome in :::?( that this distinction e+on*ed
to the aot of 0ount Cassino" &e of C+uni con7
tented himse+f $ith the tit+e of cardina+ aot( $hich
he after$ards otained from Ca+i>tus II"( and $hich
the aot of The Trinit' of Vendome and some oth7
ers ha%e since assumed"
Po)e .ohn 88"( in :3?B *ranted to the aot of
0ount Cassino the tit+e of isho)( and he continued
to dischar*e the e)isco)a+ functions unti+ :3B@ H ut
/ran V"( ha%in* then thou*ht )ro)er to de)ri%e
him of that di*nit'( he no$ sim)+' entit+es himse+f
?O Phi+oso)hica+
Patriarch of the &o+' Re+i*ion( Aot of the &o+'
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0onaster' of 0ount Cassino( Chance++or and rand
Cha)+ain of the &o+' Roman Em)ire( Aot of A7
ots( Chief of the !enedictine &ierarch'( Chance++or
Co++atera+ of the Kin*dom of Sici+'( Count and o%7
ernor of the Cam)a*na and of the maritime )ro%ince(
Prince of Peace"
&e +i%es( $ith a )art of his ocers( at San7er7
mano( a +itt+e to$n at the foot of 0ount Cassino( in
a s)acious house( $here a++ )assen*ers( from the
)o)e do$n to the meanest e**ar( are recei%ed(
+od*ed( fed( and treated accordin* to their ran="
The aot each da' %isits a++ his *uests( $ho some7
times amount to three hundred" In :39( St" I*natius
shared his hos)ita+it'( ut he $as +od*ed in a house
on 0ount Cassino( si> hundred )aces $est of the
ae'" There he com)osed his ce+erated Institute
$hence a Dominican( in a $or= entit+ed( #The
Turt+e7Do%e of the Sou+(# sa's- #I*natius d$e+t
for t$e+%e months on this mountain of contem)+a7
tion( and( +i=e another 0oses( framed those second
ta+es of re+i*ious +a$s $hich are inferior in noth7
in* to the rst"#
Tru+'( this founder of the .esuits $as not re7
cei%ed ' the !enedictines $ith that com)+aisance
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$hich St" !enedict( on his arri%a+ at 0ount Cassino(
had found in St" 0artin the hermit( $ho *a%e u) to
him the )+ace in his )ossession( and retired to 0ount
0arsica( near Carnio+a" On the contrar'( the !ene7
dictine Amrose CaMeta( in a %o+uminous $or= $rit7
Dictionar'" ?:
ten for the )ur)ose( has endea%ored to trace the
ori*in of the .esuits to the order of St" !enedict"
The +a>it' of manners $hich has a+$a's )re%ai+ed
in the $or+d( e%en amon* the c+er*'( induced St"
!asi+( so ear+' as the fourth centur'( to ado)t the idea
of assem+in* in one communit' the so+itaries $ho
had ed into deserts to fo++o$ the +a$ H ut( as $i++
e e+se$here seen( e%en the re*u+ars ha%e not a+$a's
een re*u+ar"
As for the secu+ar c+er*'( +et us see $hat St" C')7
rian sa's of them( e%en from the third centur' -
#0an' isho)s( instead of e>hortin* and settin* an
e>am)+e to others( ne*+ected the aairs of od( us7
ied themse+%es $ith tem)ora+ concerns( Juitted their
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)u+)its( aandoned their oc=s( and tra%e++ed in other
)ro%inces( in order to attend fairs and enrich them7
se+%es ' tracH the' succored not their rethren
$ho $ere d'in* of hun*erH the' sou*ht on+' to
amass hea)s of mone'( to *ain )ossession of +ands '
unMust artices( and to ma=e immense )rots '
usur'"#
Char+ema*ne( in a di*est of $hat he intended to
)ro)ose to the )ar+iament of 9::( thus e>)resses him7
se+f - #We $ish to =no$ the duties of ecc+esiastics(
in order that $e ma' not as= of them $hat the' are
not )ermitted to *i%e( and that the' ma' not demand
of us $hat $e ou*ht not to *rant" We e* of them to
e>)+ain to us c+ear+' $hat the' ca++ Juittin* the $or+d(
and ' $hat those $ho Juit it ma' e distin*uished
from those $ho remain in it H if it is on+' ' their not
?? Phi+oso)hica+
earin* arms( and not ein* married in )u+icH if
that man has Juitted the $or+d $ho continues to add
to his )ossessions ' means of e%er' sort( )reachin*
Paradise and threatenin* $ith damnationH em)+o'7
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in* the name of od or of some saint to )ersuade
the sim)+e to stri) themse+%es of their )ro)ert'(
thus entai+in* $ant u)on their +a$fu+ heirs( $ho
therefore thin= themse+%es Mustied in committin*
theft and )i++a*e H if to Juit the $or+d is to carr' the
)assion of co%etousness to such a +en*th as to rie
fa+se $itnesses in order to otain $hat e+on*s to
another( and to see= out Mud*es $ho are crue+( inter7
ested( and $ithout the fear of od"#
To conc+ude - We ma' Mud*e of the mora+s of the
re*u+ar c+er*' from a haran*ue de+i%ered in :G;3(
in $hich the Ae Triteme said to his rethren-
#4ou aes( $ho are i*norant and hosti+e to the
=no$+ed*e of sa+%ationH $ho )ass 'our da's in
shame+ess )+easures( in drin=in* and *amin*H $ho
> 'our aections on the thin*s of this +ife H $hat an7
s$er $i++ 'ou ma=e to od and to 'our founder( St"
!enedict#
The same ae ne%erthe+ess asserted that one7
third of a++ the )ro)ert' of Christians e+on*ed of
ri*ht to the order of St" !enedict( and that if the'
had it not( it $as ecause the' had een roed of
it" #The' are so )oor at )resent(# added he( #that
their re%enues do not amount to more than a hundred
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mi++ions of +ouis dors"# Triteme does not te++ us to
$hom the other t$o7thirds e+on*( ut as in his time
Dictionar'" ?3
there $ere on+' fteen thousand ae's of !ene7
dictines( esides the sma++ con%ents of the same order(
$hi+e in the se%enteenth centur' their numer had
increased to thirt'7se%en thousand( it is c+ear( '
the ru+e of )ro)ortion( that this ho+' order ou*ht no$
to )ossess %e7si>ths of the )ro)ert' in Christen7
dom( ut for the fata+ )ro*ress of heres' durin* the
+atter a*es"
In addition to a++ other misfortunes( since the Con7
cordat $as si*ned( in ::( et$een Leo 8" and
Francis I"( the =in* of France nominatin* to near+'
a++ the ae's in his =in*dom( most of them ha%e een
*i%en to secu+ars $ith sha%en cro$ns" It $as in con7
seJuence of this custom ein* ut +itt+e =no$n in
En*+and that Dr" re*or' said )+easant+' to the
Ae a++ois( $hom he too= for a !enedictine - #The
*ood father ima*ines that $e ha%e returned to those
fau+ous times $hen a mon= $as )ermitted to sa'
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$hat he )+eased"#
SECTION II"
Those $ho ' from the $or+d are $iseH those
$ho de%ote themse+%es to od are to e res)ected"
Perha)s time has corru)ted so ho+' an institution"
To the .e$ish thera)euts succeeded the E*')tian
mon=s idiotoi( monoi idiot then si*nif'in* on+'
so+itar'" The' soon formed themse+%es into odies
and ecame the o))osite of so+itaries" Each societ'
of mon=s e+ected its su)erior H for( in the ear+' a*es
of the church( e%er'thin* $as done ' the )+ura+it'
?G Phi+oso)hica+
of %oices" 0en sou*ht to re*ain the )rimiti%e +iert'
of human nature ' esca)in* throu*h )iet' from the
tumu+t and s+a%er' inse)ara+' attendant on *reat
em)ires" E%er' societ' of mon=s chose its father
its aa its aot( a+thou*h it is said in the *os)e+(
#ca++ no man 'our father"#
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Neither aots nor mon=s $ere )riests in the
ear+' a*es H the' $ent in troo)s to hear mass at the
nearest %i++a*e H their numers( in time( ecame con7
sidera+e" It is said that there $ere u)$ards of
ft' thousand mon=s in E*')t"
St" !asi+( $ho $as rst a mon= and after$ards
!isho) of Caesarea and Ca))adocia( com)osed a
code for a++ the mon=s of the fourth centur'" This
ru+e of St" !asi+s $as recei%ed in the East and in
the West H no mon=s $ere =no$n ut those of St"
!asi+ H the' $ere rich( too= )art in a++ )u+ic aairs(
and contriuted to the re%o+utions of em)ires"
No order ut this $as =no$n unti+( in the si>th
centur'( St" !enedict esta+ished a ne$ )o$er on
0ount Cassino" St" re*or' the reat assures us(
in his Dia+o*ues( that od *ranted him a s)ecia+ )ri%7
i+e*e( ' $hich a++ the !enedictines $ho shou+d die
on 0ount Cassino $ere to e sa%ed" ConseJuent+'(
Po)e /ran II"( in a u++ of the 'ear :<;?( dec+ared
the aot of 0ount Cassino chief of a++ the ae's
in the $or+d" Pascha+ II" *a%e him the tit+e of Aot
of Aots( Patriarch of the &o+' Re+i*ion( Chan7
ce++or Co++atera+ of the Kin*dom of Sici+'( Count
and o%ernor of the Cam)a*na( Prince of Peace( etc"
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Dictionar'" ?
A++ these tit+es $ou+d a%ai+ ut +itt+e $ere the' not
su))orted ' immense riches"
Not +on* a*o I recei%ed a +etter from one of
m' erman corres)ondents( $hich e*an $ith these
$ords - #The aots( )rinces of Kem)ten( E+%en*en(
Eudestet( 0usach( !er*hs*aden( Vissemur*(
Prum( Sta+e( and Cor%e'( and the other aots
$ho are not )rinces( enMo' to*ether a re%enue of
aout nine hundred thousand orins( or t$o mi++ions
and ft' thousand French +i%res of the )resent cur7
renc'" Whence I conc+ude that .esus Christs cir7
cumstances $ere not Juite so eas' as theirs"# I re7
)+ied - #Sir( 'ou must confess that the French are
more )ious than the ermans( in the )ro)ortion of
G :B7G: to unit' H for our consistoria+ eneces a+one(
that is( those $hich )a' annats to the Po)e( )roduce
a re%enue of nine mi++ions H and t$o mi++ions ft'
thousand +i%res are to nine mi++ions as i is to G :B7G:"
Whence I conc+ude that 'our aots are not su7
cient+' rich( and that the' ou*ht to ha%e ten times
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more" I ha%e the honor to e(# etc" &e ans$ered me
' the fo++o$in* short +etter- ##Dear Sir( I do not
understand 'ou" 4ou dout+ess fee+( $ith me( that
nine mi++ions of 'our mone' are rather too much for
those $ho ha%e made a %o$ of )o%ert' H 'et 'ou $ish
that the' had ninet'" I e* 'ou $i++ e>)+ain this
eni*ma"# I had the honor of immediate+' re)+'in* -
#Dear Sir( there $as once a 'oun* man to $hom it
$as )ro)osed to marr' a $oman of si>t'( $ho $ou+d
+ea%e him a++ her )ro)ert'" &e ans$ered that she
?B Phi+oso)hica+
$as not o+d enou*h"# The erman understood m'
eni*ma"
The reader must e informed that( in :@( it $as
)ro)osed in a counci+ of &enr' III"( Kin* of France(
to erect a++ the ae's of mon=s into secu+ar com7
mendams( and to *i%e them to the ocers of his court
and his arm'H ut this monarch( ha))enin* after7
$ards to e e>communicated and assassinated( the
)roMect $as of course not carried into eect"
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In :@< Count dAr*enson( the minister of $ar(
$ished to raise )ensions from the eneces for che%7
a+iers of the mi+itar' order of St" Louis" Nothin*
cou+d e more sim)+e( more Must( more usefu+ H ut
his eorts $ere fruit+ess" 4et the Princess of Conti
had had an ae' under Louis 8IV"( and e%en e7
fore his rei*n secu+ars )ossessed eneces" The Du=e
de Su++i had an ae'( a+thou*h he $as a &u*uenot"
The father of &u*h Ca)et $as rich on+' ' his
ae's( and $as ca++ed &u*h the Aot" Ae's
$ere *i%en to Jueens( to furnish them $ith )in7
mone'" O*ine( mother of Louis dOutremer( +eft
her son ecause he had ta=en from her the ae' of
St" 0ar' of Laon( and *i%en it to his $ife( erer*e"
Thus $e ha%e e>am)+es of e%er'thin*" Each one
stri%es to ma=e customs( inno%ations( +a$s $hether
o+d or ne$( aro*ated( re%i%ed( or miti*ated char7
ters( $hether rea+ or su))osed the )ast( the )res7
ent and the future( a+i=e suser%ient to the *rand end
of otainin* the *ood thin*s of this $or+d H 'et it is
a+$a's for the *reater *+or' of od"
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Dictionar'" ?@
A!LE A!ILIT4"
A!LE" An adMecti%e term( $hich( +i=e a+most a++
others( has dierent acce)tations as it is dierent+'
em)+o'ed"
In *enera+ it si*nies more than ca)a+e( more
than $e++7informed( $hether a))+ied to an artist( a
*enera+( a man of +earnin*( or a Mud*e" A man ma'
ha%e read a++ that has een $ritten on $ar( and ma'
ha%e seen it( $ithout ein* a+e to conduct a $ar" &e
ma' e ca)a+e of commandin*( ut to acJuire the
name of an a+e *enera+ he must command more than
once $ith success" A Mud*e ma' =no$ a++ the +a$s(
$ithout ein* a+e to a))+' them" A +earned man
ma' not e a+e either to $rite or to teach" An a+e
man( then( is he $ho ma=es a *reat use of $hat he
=no$s" A ca)a+e man can do a thin* H an a+e one
does it" This $ord cannot e a))+ied to eorts of
)ure *enius" We do not sa' an a+e )oet( an a+e
orator H or( if $e sometimes sa' so of an orator( it
is $hen he has a+'( de>terous+' treated a thorn'
suMect"
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!ossuet( for e>am)+e( ha%in*( in his funera+ ora7
tion o%er the *reat Conde( to treat of his ci%i+ $ars(
sa's that there is a )enitence as *+orious as innocence
itse+f" &e mana*es this )oint a+'" Of the rest he
s)ea=s $ith *randeur"
We sa'( an a+e historian( meanin* one $ho has
dra$n his materia+s from *ood sources( com)ared
dierent re+ations( and Mud*ed sound+' of themH
?9 Phi+oso)hica+
one( in short( $ho has ta=en *reat )ains" If he has(
moreo%er( the *ift of narratin* $ith suita+e e+o7
Juence( he is more than a+e( he is a *reat historian(
+i=e Titus( Li%ius( de Thou( etc"
The $ord a+e is a))+ica+e to those arts $hich
e>ercise at once the mind and the hand( as )aintin*
and scu+)ture" We sa' of a )ainter or scu+)tor( he
is an a+e artist( ecause these arts reJuire a +on* no7
%itiate H $hereas a man ecomes a )oet near+' a++ at
once( +i=e Vir*i+ or O%id( or ma' e%en e an orator
$ith %er' +itt+e stud'( as se%era+ )reachers ha%e een"
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Wh' do $e( ne%erthe+ess( sa'( an a+e )reacher
It is ecause more attention is then )aid to art than
to e+oJuence( $hich is no *reat eu+o*ium" We do
not sa' of the su+ime !ossuet( he $as an a+e
ma=er of funera+ orations" A mere )+a'er of an in7
strument is a+eH a com)oser must e more than a+e H
he must ha%e *enius" The $or=man e>ecutes c+e%7
er+' $hat the man of taste has desi*ned a+'"
An a+e man in )u+ic aairs is $e++7informed(
)rudent and acti%e H if he $ants either of these Jua+7
ications he is not a+e"
The term( an a+e courtier( im)+ies +ame rather
than )raise( since it too often means an a+e atterer"
It ma' a+so e used to desi*nate sim)+' a c+e%er man(
$ho is neither %er' *ood nor %er' $ic=ed" The fo>
$ho( $hen Juestioned ' the +ion res)ectin* the odor
of his )a+ace( re)+ied that he had ta=en co+d( $as an
a+e courtier H the fo> $ho( to re%en*e himse+f on the
$o+f( recommended to the o+d +ion the s=in of a $o+f
Dictionar'" ?;
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ne$+' a'ed( to =ee) his maMest' $arm( $as some7
thin* more than a+e"
We sha++ not here discuss those )oints of our su7
Mect $hich e+on* more )articu+ar+' to mora+it'( as
the dan*er of $ishin* to e too a+e( the ris=s $hich
an a+e $oman runs $hen she $ishes to *o%ern the
aairs of her househo+d $ithout ad%ice( etc" We are
afraid of s$e++in* this dictionar' $ith use+ess dec+a7
mations" The' $ho )reside o%er this *reat and im7
)ortant $or= must treat at +en*th those artic+es re7
+atin* to the arts and sciences $hich interest the )u7
+ic( $hi+e those to $hom the' intrust +itt+e artic+es
of +iterature must ha%e the merit of ein* rief"
A!ILIT4" This $ord is to ca)acit' $hat a+e is
to ca)a+e ai+it' in a science( in an art( in conduct"
We e>)ress an acJuired Jua+it' ' sa'in*( he has
ai+it'H in action( ' sa'in*( he conducts that aair
$ith ai+it'"
A!L4 has the same acce)tationsH he $or=s( he
)+a's( he teaches a+'" &e has a+' surmounted that
dicu+t'"
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A!RA&A0"
SECTION I"
WE must sa' nothin* of $hat is di%ine in Ara7
ham( since the Scri)tures ha%e said a++" We must
not e%en touch( e>ce)t $ith a res)ectfu+ hand( that
$hich e+on*s to the )rofane that $hich a))ertains
to *eo*ra)h'( the order of time( manners( and cus7
toms H for these( ein* connected $ith sacred histor'(
3< Phi+oso)hica+
are so man' streams $hich )reser%e somethin* of
the di%init' of their source"
Araham( thou*h orn near the Eu)hrates( ma=es
a *reat e)och $ith the Western nations( 'et ma=es
none $ith the Orienta+s( $ho( ne%erthe+ess( res)ect
him as much as $e do" The 0ahometans ha%e no
certain chrono+o*' efore their he*ira" The science
of time( tota++' +ost in those countries $hich $ere the
scene of *reat e%ents( has rea))eared in the re*ions
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of the West( $here those e%ents $ere un=no$n" We
dis)ute aout e%er'thin* that $as done on the an=s
of the Eu)hrates( the .ordan( and the Ni+e( $hi+e
the' $ho are masters of the Ni+e( the .ordan and the
Eu)hrates enMo' $ithout dis)utin*" A+thou*h our
*reat e)och is that of Araham( $e dier si>t' 'ears
$ith res)ect to the time of his irth" The account(
accordin* to the re*isters( is as fo++o$s -
#And Terah +i%ed se%ent' 'ears( and e*at Ara7
ham( Nahor( and &aran" And the da's of Terah
$ere t$o hundred and %e 'ears( and Terah died in
&aran" No$ the Lord had said unto Araham( *et
thee out of th' countr' and from th' =indred( and
from th' fathers house( unto a +and that I $i++ sho$
thee" And I $i++ ma=e of thee a *reat nation"#
It is sucient+' e%ident from the te>t that Terah(
ha%in* had Araham at the a*e of se%ent'( died at
that of t$o hundred and %e H and Araham( ha%in*
Juitted Cha+dsea immediate+' after the death of his
father( $as Must one hundred and thirt'7%e 'ears
Dictionar'" 3 :
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o+d $hen he +eft his countr'" This is near+' the o)in7
ion of St" Ste)hen( in his discourse to the .e$s"
!ut the !oo= of enesis a+so sa's - #And Ara7
ham $as se%ent' and %e 'ears o+d $hen he de)arted
out of &aran"#
This is the )rinci)a+ cause for there are se%era+
othersQ of the dis)ute on the suMect of Arahams
a*e" &o$ cou+d he e at once a hundred and thirt'7
%e 'ears( and on+' se%ent'7%e St" .erome and St"
Au*ustine sa' that this dicu+t' is ine>)+ica+e"
Father Ca+met( $ho confesses that these t$o saints
cou+d not so+%e the )ro+em( thin=s he does it ' sa'7
in* that Araham $as the 'oun*est of Terahs sons(
a+thou*h the !oo= of enesis names him the rst(
and conseJuent+' as the e+dest" Accordin* to enesis(
Araham $as orn in his fathers se%entieth 'earH
$hi+e( accordin* to Ca+met( he $as orn $hen his
father $as a hundred and thirt'" Such a reconci+ia7
tion has on+' een a ne$ cause of contro%ers'" Con7
siderin* the uncertaint' in $hich $e are +eft ' oth
te>t and commentar'( the est $e can do is to adore
$ithout dis)utin*"
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There is no e)och in those ancient times $hich has
not )roduced a mu+titude of dierent o)inions" Ac7
cordin* to 0oreri there $ere in his da' se%ent' s's7
tems of chrono+o*' founded on the histor' dictated
' od himse+f" There ha%e since a))eared %e ne$
methods of reconci+in* the %arious te>ts of Scri)ture"
Thus there are as man' dis)utes aout Araham as
3? Phi+oso)hica+
the numer of his 'ears accordin* to the te>tQ
$hen he +eft &aran" And of these se%ent'7%e s's7
tems there is not one $hich te++s us )recise+' $hat
this to$n or %i++a*e of &aran $as( or $here it $as
situated" What thread sha++ *uide us in this +a'7
rinth of conMectures and contradictions from the %er'
rst %erse to the %er' +ast Resi*nation" The &o+'
S)irit did not intend to teach us chrono+o*'( meta7
)h'sics or +o*ic H ut on+' to ins)ire us $ith the fear
of od" Since $e can com)rehend nothin*( a++ that
$e can do is to sumit"
It is eJua++' dicu+t to e>)+ain satisfactori+' ho$
it $as that Sarah( the $ife of Araham( $as a+so
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his sister" Araham sa's )ositi%e+' to Aime+ech(
=in* of erar( $ho had ta=en Sarah to himse+f on ac7
count of her *reat eaut'( at the a*e of ninet'( $hen
she $as )re*nant of Isaac - #And 'et indeed she is
m' sister H she is the dau*hter of m' father( ut not
the dau*hter of m' mother( and she ecame m'
$ife"# The O+d Testament does not inform us ho$
Sarah $as her husands sister" Ca+met( $hose Mud*7
ment and sa*acit' are =no$n to e%er' one( sa's that
she mi*ht e his niece" With the Cha+daeans it $as
)roa+' no more an incest than $ith their nei*hors(
the Persians" 0anners chan*e $ith times and $ith
)+aces" It ma' e su))osed that Araham( the son
of Terah( an ido+ater( $as sti++ an ido+ater $hen he
married Sarah( $hether Sarah $as his sister or his
niece"
There are se%era+ Fathers of the Church $ho do
Dictionar'" 33
not thin= Araham Juite so e>cusa+e ior ha%in*
said to Sarah( in E*')t- #It sha++ come to )ass(
$hen the E*')tians sha++ see thee( that the' sha++
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sa'( This is his $ife( and the' $i++ =i++ me( ut
the' $i++ sa%e thee a+i%e" Sa'( I )ra' thee( thou art
m' sister( that it ma' e $e++ $ith me for th' sa=e"#
She $as then on+' si>t'7%e" Since she had( t$ent'7
%e 'ears after$ards the =in* of erar for a +o%er(
it is not sur)risin* that( $hen t$ent'7%e 'ears
'oun*er( she had =ind+ed some )assion in Pharaoh
of E*')t" Indeed( she $as ta=en a$a' ' him in the
same manner as she $as after$ards ta=en ' Aim7 :
e+ech( the =in* of erar( in the desert"
Araham recei%ed )resents( at the court of Pha7
raoh( of man' #shee)( and o>en( and he7asses( and
men7ser%ants( and maid7ser%ants( and she7asses( and
came+s"# These )resents( $hich $ere considera+e(
)ro%e that the Pharaohs had a+read' ecome *reat
=in*s H the countr' of E*')t must therefore ha%e
een %er' )o)u+ous" !ut to ma=e the countr' in7
haita+e( and to ui+d to$ns( it must Ra%e cost im7
mense +aor" It $as necessar' to construct cana+s for
the )ur)ose of drainin* the $aters of the Ni+e( $hich
o%ero$ed E*')t durin* four or %e months of each
'ear( and sta*nated on the soi+" It $as a+so neces7
sar' to raise the to$n at +east t$ent' feet ao%e these
cana+s" Wor=s so considera+e seem to ha%e re7
Juired thousands of a*es"
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There $ere on+' aout four hundred 'ears e7
t$een the De+u*e and the )eriod at $hich $e >
Vo+" 73
3G Phi+oso)hica+
Arahams Mourne' into E*')t" The E*')tians
must ha%e een %er' in*enious and indefati*a+'
+aorious( since( in so short a time( the' in%ented a++
the arts and sciences( set ounds to the Ni+e( and
chan*ed the $ho+e face of the countr'" Proa+'
the' had a+read' ui+t some of the *reat P'ramids(
for $e see that the art of ema+min* the dead $as
in a short time after$ards rou*ht to )erfection(
and the P'ramids $ere on+' the toms in $hich the
odies of their )rinces $ere de)osited $ith the most
au*ust ceremonies"
This o)inion of the *reat antiJuit' of the P'ra7
mids recei%es additiona+ countenance from the fact
that three hundred 'ears ear+ier( or ut one hundred
'ears after the &ere$ e)och of the De+u*e of Noah(
the Asiatics had ui+t( in the )+ain of Sennaar( a to$er
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$hich $as to reach to hea%en" St" .erome( in his
commentar' on Isaiah( sa's that this to$er $as a+7
read' four thousand )aces hi*h $hen od came
do$n to sto) the )ro*ress of the $or="
Let us su))ose each )ace to e t$o feet and a
ha+f" Four thousand )aces( then( are ten thousand
feetH conseJuent+' the to$er of !ae+ $as t$ent'
times as hi*h as the P'ramids of E*')t( $hich are
on+' aout %e hundred feet" !ut $hat a )rodi*ious
Juantit' of instruments must ha%e een reJuisite to
raise such an edice A++ the arts must ha%e con7
curred in for$ardin* the $or=" Whence commenta7
tors conc+ude that men of those times $ere incom7
Dictionar'" 3
)ara+' +ar*er( stron*er( and more industrious than
those of modern nations"
So much ma' e remar=ed $ith res)ect to Ara7
ham( as re+atin* to the arts and sciences" With
re*ard to his )erson( it is most +i=e+' that he $as
a man of considera+e im)ortance" The Cha+dseans
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and the Persians each c+aim him as their o$n" The
ancient re+i*ion of the ma*i has( from time immemo7
ria+( een ca++ed Kish Irahim( 0i+at Irahim( and it
is a*reed that the $ord Irahim is )recise+' the same
as Araham( nothin* ein* more common amon* the
Asiatics( $ho rare+' $rote the %o$e+s( than to chan*e
the i into a( or the a into i in )ronunciation"
It has e%en een asserted that Araham $as the
!rahma of the Indians( and that their notions $ere
ado)ted ' the )eo)+e of the countries near the Eu7
)hrates( $ho traded $ith India from time immemo7
ria+"
The Aras re*arded him as the founder of 0ecca"
0ahomet( in his Koran( a+$a's %ie$ed in him the
most res)ecta+e of his )redecessors" In his third
sura( or cha)ter( he s)ea=s of him thus - #Araham
$as neither .e$ nor Christian H he $as an orthodo>
0ussu+man H he $as not of the numer of those $ho
ima*ine that od has co++ea*ues"#
The temerit' of the human understandin* has
e%en *one so far as to ima*ine that the .e$s did not
ca++ themse+%es the descendants of Araham unti+ a
%er' +ate )eriod( $hen the' had at +ast esta+ished
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3B Phi+oso)hica+
themse+%es in Pa+estine" The' $ere stran*ers( hated
and des)ised ' their nei*hors" The' $ished( sa'
some( to re+ie%e themse+%es ' )assin* for descend7
ants of that Araham $ho $as so much re%erenced in
a *reat )art of Asia" The faith $hich $e o$e to the
sacred oo=s of the .e$s remo%es a++ these di7
cu+ties"
Other critics( no +ess hard'( start other oMections
re+ati%e to Arahams direct communication $ith the
A+mi*ht'( his att+es and his %ictories" The Lord
a))eared to him after he $ent out of E*')t( and
said( #Lift u) no$ thine e'es( and +oo= from the
)+ace $here thou art( north$ard and south$ard( and
east$ard( and $est$ard" For a++ the +and $hich
thou seest( to thee $i++ I *i%e it( and to th' seed for7
e%er"#
The Lord( ' a second oath( after$ards )romised
him a++ #from the ri%er of E*')t unto the *reat
ri%er( the ri%er Eu)hrates"# The critics as=( ho$
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cou+d od )romise the .e$s this immense countr'
$hich the' ha%e ne%er )ossessed And ho$ cou+d
od *i%e to them fore%er that sma++ )art of Pa+estine
out of $hich the' ha%e so +on* een dri%en A*ain(
the Lord added to these )romises( that Arahams
)osterit' shou+d e as numerous as the dust of the
earth #so that if a man can numer the dust of the
earth( then sha++ th' seed a+so e numered"#
Our critics insist there are not no$ on the face
of the earth four hundred thousand .e$s( thou*h
the' ha'e a+$a's re*arded marria*e as a sacred dut'
Dictionar'" 3@
and made )o)u+ation their *reatest oMect" To these
dicu+ties it is re)+ied that the church( sustituted
for the s'na*o*ue( is the true race of Araham(
$hich is therefore %er' numerous"
It must e admitted that the' do not )ossess
Pa+estine H ut the' ma' one da' )ossess it( as the'
ha%e a+read' conJuered it once( in the rst crusade(
in the time of /ran II" In a $ord( $hen $e %ie$
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the O+d Testament $ith the e'es of faith( as a t')e
of the Ne$( a++ either is or $i++ e accom)+ished( and
our $ea= reason must o$ in si+ence"
Fresh dicu+ties are raised res)ectin* Arahams
%ictor' near Sodom" It is said to e inconcei%a+e
that a stran*er $ho dro%e his oc=s to *ra1e in the
nei*horhood of Sodom shou+d( $ith three hundred
and ei*hteen =ee)ers of shee) and o>en( eat a =in*
of Persia( a =in* of Pontus( the =in* of !a'+on(
and the =in* of nations( and )ursue them to Damas7
cus( $hich is more than a hundred mi+es from Sod7
om" 4et such a %ictor' is not im)ossi+e( for $e see
other simi+ar instances in those heroic times $hen
the arm of od $as not shortened" Thin= of id7
eon( $ho( $ith three hundred men( armed $ith three
hundred )itchers and three hundred +am)s( defeated
a $ho+e arm' Thin= of Samson( $ho s+e$ a thou7
sand Phi+istines $ith the Ma$one of an ass
E%en )rofane histor' furnishes +i=e e>am)+es"
Three hundred S)artans sto))ed( for a moment( the
$ho+e arm' of 8er>es( at the )ass of Thermo)'+ae"
It is true that( $ith the e>ce)tion of one man $ho
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39 Phi+oso)hica+
ed( the' $ere a++ s+ain( to*ether $ith their =in*(
Leonidas( $hom 8er>es had the aseness to *iet(
instead of raisin* to his memor' the monument
$hich it deser%ed" It is moreo%er true that these
three hundred Lacedaemonians( $ho *uarded a
stee) )assa*e $hich $ou+d scarce+' admit t$o men
areast( $ere su))orted ' an arm' of ten thousand
ree=s( distriuted in ad%anta*eous )osts amon*
the roc=s of Pe+ion and Ossa( four thousand of
$hom( e it oser%ed( $ere stationed ehind this %er'
)assa*e of Thermo)'+ae"
These four thousand )erished after a +on* com7
at" &a%in* een )+aced in a situation more e>)osed
than that of the three hundred S)artans( the' ma'
e said to ha%e acJuired more *+or' in defendin* it
a*ainst the Persian arm'( $hich cut them a++ in
)ieces" Indeed( on the monument after$ards
erected on the e+d of att+e( mention $as made
of these four thousand %ictims( $hereas none are
s)o=en of no$ ut the three hundred"
A sti++ more memora+e( thou*h much +ess ce+e7
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rated( action $as that of ft' S$iss( $ho( in :3:(
routed at 0or*arten the $ho+e arm' of the Arch7
du=e Leo)o+d( of Austria( consistin* of t$ent'
thousand men" The' destro'ed the ca%a+r' '
thro$in* do$n stones from a hi*h roc= H and *a%e
time to fourteen hundred &e+%etians to come u) and
nish the defeat of the arm'" This achie%ement at
0or*arten is more ri++iant than that of Thermo)'7
+ae( inasmuch as it is a ner thin* to conJuer than to
Dictionar'" 3;
e conJuered" The ree=s amounted to ten thousand(
$e++ armed H and it $as im)ossi+e that( in a moun7
tainous countr'( the' cou+d ha%e to encounter more
than a hundred thousand Persians at once H it is more
than )roa+e that there $ere not thirt' thousand
Persians en*a*ed" !ut here fourteen hundred S$iss
defeat an arm' of t$ent' thousand men" The
diminished )ro)ortions of the +ess to the *reater
numer a+so increases the )ro)ortion of *+or'" !ut
ho$ far has Araham +ed us These di*ressions
amuse him $ho ma=es and sometimes him $ho reads
them" !esides( e%er' one is de+i*hted to see a *reat
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arm' eaten ' a +itt+e one"
SECTION II"
Araham is one of those names $hich $ere
famous in Asia 0inor and Araia( as Thaut $as
amon* the E*')tians( the rst 5oroaster in Persia(
&ercu+es in reece( Or)heus in Thrace( Odin
amon* the northern nations( and so man' others(
=no$n more ' their fame than ' an' authentic
histor'" I s)ea= here of )rofane histor' on+'H as
for that of the .e$s( our masters and our enemies(
$hom $e at once detest and e+ie%e( their histor'
ha%in* e%ident+' een $ritten ' the &o+' host(
$e fee+ to$ard it as $e ou*ht to fee+" We ha%e to
do here on+' $ith the Aras" The' oast of ha%in*
descended from Araham throu*h Ishmae+( e+ie%7
in* that this )atriarch ui+t 0ecca and died there"
The fact is( that the race of Ishmae+ has een in7
GO Phi+oso)hica+
nite+' more fa%ored ' od than has that of .aco"
!oth races( it is true( ha%e )roduced roersH ut
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the Araian roers ha%e een )rodi*ious+' su)erior
to the .e$ish ones H the descendants of .aco con7
Juered on+' a %er' sma++ countr'( $hich the' ha%e
+ost( $hereas the descendants of Ishmae+ conJuered
)arts of Asia( of Euro)e( and of Africa( esta+ished
an em)ire more e>tensi%e than that of the Romans(
and dro%e the .e$s from their ca%erns( $hich the'
ca++ed The Land of Promise"
.ud*in* of thin*s on+' ' the e>am)+es to e
found in our modern histories( it $ou+d e dicu+t
to e+ie%e that Araham had een the father of t$o
nations so $ide+' dierent" We are to+d that he
$as orn in Cha+daea( and that he $as the son of a
)oor )otter( $ho earned his read ' ma=in* +itt+e
earthen ido+s" It is hard+' +i=e+' that this son of a
)otter shou+d ha%e )assed throu*h im)ractica+e
deserts and founded the cit' of 0ecca( at the dis7
tance of four hundred +ea*ues( under a tro)ica+ sun"
If he $as a conJueror( he dout+ess cast his e'es on
the ne countr' of Ass'ria" If he $as no more than
a )oor man( he did not found =in*doms aroad"
The !oo= of enesis re+ates that he $as se%ent'7
%e 'ears o+d $hen he $ent out of the +and of &aran
after the death of his father( Terah the )otter H ut
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the same oo= a+so te++s us that Terah( ha%in* e7
*otten Araham at the a*e of se%ent' 'ears( +i%ed to
that of t$o hundred and %e H and( after$ard( that
Dictionar'" G:
Araham $ent out of &aran( $hich seems to si*nif'
that it $as after the death of his father"
Either the author did not =no$ ho$ to dis)ose
his narration( or it is c+ear from the !oo= of enesis
itse+f that Araham $as one hundred and thirt'7%e
'ears o+d $hen he Juitted 0eso)otamia" &e $ent
from a countr' $hich is ca++ed ido+atrous to another
ido+atrous countr' named Sichem( in Pa+estine" Wh'
did he Juit the fruitfu+ an=s of the Eu)hrates for a
s)ot so remote( so arren( and so ston' as Sichem It
$as not a )+ace of trade( and $as distant a hundred
+ea*ues from Cha+daea( and deserts +a' et$een" !ut
od chose that Araham shou+d *o this Mourne' H he
chose to sho$ him the +and $hich his descendants
$ere to occu)' se%era+ a*es after him" It is $ith
dicu+t' that the human understandin* com)re7
hends the reasons for such a Mourne'"
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Scarce+' had he arri%ed in the +itt+e mountainous
countr' of Sichem( $hen famine com)e++ed him to
Juit it" &e $ent into E*')t $ith his $ife Sarah( to
see= a susistence" The distance from Sichem to
0em)his is t$o hundred +ea*ues" Is it natura+ that
a man shou+d *o so far to as= for corn in a countr'
the +an*ua*e of $hich he did not understand
Tru+' these $ere stran*e Mourne's( underta=en at
the a*e of near+' a hundred and fort' 'ears
&e rou*ht $ith him to 0em)his his $ife( Sarah(
$ho $as e>treme+' 'oun*( and a+most an infant
$hen com)ared $ith himse+f H for she $as on+' si>7
G? Phi+oso)hica+
t'7%e" As she $as %er' handsome( he reso+%ed to
turn her eaut' to account" #Sa'( I )ra' thee( that
thou art m' sister( that it ma' e $e++ $ith me for
th' sa=e"# &e shou+d rather ha%e said to her( #Sa'(
I )ra' thee( that thou art m' dau*hter"# The =in*
fe++ in +o%e $ith the 'oun* Sarah( and *a%e the )re7
tended rother aundance of shee)( o>en( he7asses(
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she7asses( came+s( men7ser%ants and maid7ser%antsH
$hich )ro%es that E*')t $as then a )o$erfu+ and
$e++7re*u+ated( and conseJuent+' an ancient =in*7
dom( and that those $ere ma*nicent+' re$arded
$ho came and oered their sisters to the =in*s of
0em)his" The 'outhfu+ Sarah $as ninet' 'ears o+d
$hen od )romised her that( in the course of a 'ear(
she shou+d ha%e a chi+d ' Araham( $ho $as then
a hundred and si>t'"
Araham( $ho $as fond of tra%e++in*( $ent into
the horri+e desert of Kadesh $ith his )re*nant
$ife( e%er 'oun* and e%er )rett'" A =in* of this
desert $as( of course( ca)ti%ated ' Sarah( as the
=in* of E*')t had een" The father of the faithfu+
to+d the same +ie as in E*')t( ma=in* his $ife )ass
for his sister H $hich rou*ht him more shee)( o>en(
men7ser%ants( and maid7ser%ants" It mi*ht e said
that this Araham ecame rich )rinci)a++' ' means
of his $ife" Commentators ha%e $ritten a )rodi7
*ious numer of %o+umes to Mustif' Arahams con7
duct( and to e>)+ain a$a' the errors in chrono+o*'"
To these commentaries $e must refer the readerH
the' are a++ com)osed ' men of nice and acute )er7
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Dictionar'" G3
ce)tions( e>ce++ent meta)h'sicians( and ' no means
)edants"
For the rest( this name of !ram( or Aram( $as
famous in .udsea and in Persia" Se%era+ of the
+earned e%en assert that he $as the same +e*is+ator
$hom the ree=s ca++ed 5oroaster" Others sa' that
he $as the !rahma of the Indians( $hich is not dem7
onstrated" !ut it a))ears %er' reasona+e to man'
that this Araham $as a Cha+daean or a Persian( from
$hom the .e$s after$ards oasted of ha%in* de7
scended( as the Fran=s did of their descent from
&ector( and the !ritons from Tua+" It cannot e
denied that the .e$ish nation $ere a %er' modern
horde H that the' did not esta+ish themse+%es on the
orders of Phoenicia unti+ a %er' +ate )eriodH that
the' $ere surrounded ' ancient states( $hose +an7
*ua*e the' ado)ted( recei%in* from them e%en the
name of Israe+( $hich is Cha+daean( from the testi7
mon' of the .e$ F+a%ius .ose)hus himse+f" We
=no$ that the' too= the names of the an*e+s from
the !a'+onians( and that the' ca++ed od ' the
names of E+oi or E+oa( Adonai( .eho%ah or &iao(
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after the Phoenicians" It is )roa+e that the' =ne$
the name of Araham or Irahim on+' throu*h the
!a'+onians H for the ancient re+i*ion of a++ the coun7
tries from the Eu)hrates to the O>us $as ca++ed
Kish Irahim or 0i+at Irahim" This is conrmed
' a++ the researches made on the s)ot ' the +earned
&'de"
The .e$s( then( treat their histor' and ancient
GG Phi+oso)hica+
fa+es as their c+othesmen treat their o+d coats
the' turn them and se++ them for ne$ at as hi*h a
)rice as )ossi+e" It is a sin*u+ar instance of human
stu)idit' that $e ha%e so +on* considered the .e$s as
a nation $hich tau*ht a++ others( $hi+e their histo7
rian .ose)hus himse+f confesses the contrar'"
It is dicu+t to )enetrate the shades of antiJuit' H
ut it is e%ident that a++ the =in*doms of Asia $ere
in a %er' ourishin* state efore the $anderin*
horde of Aras( ca++ed .e$s( had a sma++ s)ot of
earth $hich the' ca++ed their o$n $hen the' had
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neither a to$n( nor +a$s( nor e%en a >ed re+i*ion"
When( therefore( $e see an ancient rite or an ancient
o)inion esta+ished in E*')t or Asia( and a+so amon*
the .e$s( it is %er' natura+ to su))ose that this sma++(
ne$+' formed( i*norant( stu)id )eo)+e co)ied( as
$e++ as the' $ere a+e( the ancient( ourishin*( and
industrious nation"
It is on this )rinci)+e that $e must Mud*e of
.udaea( !isca'( Corn$a++( etc" 0ost certain+' trium7
)hant Rome did not in an'thin* imitate !isca' or
Corn$a++ H and he must e either %er' i*norant or
a *reat =na%e $ho $ou+d sa' that the .e$s tau*ht
an'thin* to the ree=s"
SECTION III"
It must not e thou*ht that Araham $as =no$n
on+' to the .e$s H on the contrar'( he $as reno$ned
throu*hout Asia" This name( $hich si*nies father
of a )eo)+e in more Orienta+ +an*ua*es than one(
Dictionar'" G
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$as *i%en to some inhaitant of Cha+daea from
$hom se%era+ nations ha%e oasted of descendin*"
The )ains $hich the Aras and the .e$s too= to es7
ta+ish their descent from this )atriarch render it
im)ossi+e for e%en the *reatest P'rrhoneans to
dout of there ha%in* een an Araham"
The &ere$ Scri)tures ma=e him the son of Te7
rah( $hi+e the Aras sa' that Tcrah $as his *rand7
father and A1ar his father( in $hich the' ha%e een
fo++o$ed ' se%era+ Christians" The inter)reters
are of fort'7t$o dierent o)inions $ith res)ect to
the 'ear in $hich Araham $as rou*ht into the
$or+d( and I sha++ not ha1ard a fort'7third" It a+so
a))ears( ' the dates( that Araham +i%ed si>t'
'ears +on*er than the te>t a++o$s him H ut mista=es
in chrono+o*' do not destro' the truth of a fact"
Su))osin* e%en that the oo= $hich s)ea=s of Ara7
ham had not een so sacred as $as the +a$( it is not
therefore +ess certain that Araham e>isted" The
.e$s distin*uished oo=s $ritten ' ins)ired men
from oo=s com)osed ' )articu+ar ins)iration"
&o$( indeed( can it e e+ie%ed that od dictated
fa+se dates
Phi+o( the .e$ of Suidas( re+ates that Terah( the
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father or *randfather of Araham( $ho d$e+t at /r
in Cha+daea( $as a )oor man $ho *ained a +i%e+ihood
' ma=in* +itt+e ido+s( and that he $as himse+f an
ido+ater" If so( that ancient re+i*ion of the Saeans(
$ho had no ido+s( ut $orshi))ed the hea%ens( had
)ot( then( )erha)s( een esta+ished in Cha+d";3 H or"
GB Phi+oso)hica+
if it )re%ai+ed in one )art of the countr'( it is %er'
)roa+e that ido+atr' $as )redominant in the rest"
It seems that in those times each +itt+e horde had
its re+i*ion( as each fami+' had its o$n )ecu+iar cus7
tomsH a++ $ere to+erated( and a++ $ere )eacea+'
confounded" Laan( the father7in7+a$ of .aco( had
ido+s" Each c+an $as )erfect+' $i++in* that the
nei*horin* c+an shou+d ha%e its *ods( and contented
itse+f $ith e+ie%in* that its o$n $ere the mi*htiest"
The Scri)ture sa's that the od of the .e$s( $ho
intended to *i%e them the +and of Canaan( com7
manded Araham to +ea%e the ferti+e countr' of
Cha+daea and *o to$ards Pa+estine( )romisin* him
that in his seed a++ the nations of the earth shou+d e
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+essed" It is for theo+o*ians to e>)+ain( ' a++e*or'
and m'stica+ sense( ho$ a++ the nations of the earth
$ere to e +essed in a seed from $hich the' did not
descend( since this much7to7e7%enerated m'stica+
sense cannot e made the oMect of a research )ure+'
critica+" A short time after these )romises Ara7
hams fami+' $as aicted ' famine( and $ent into
E*')t for corn" It is sin*u+ar that the &ere$s
ne%er $ent into E*')t( e>ce)t $hen )ressed ' hun7
*erH for .aco after$ards sent his chi+dren on the
same errand"
Araham( $ho $as then %er' o+d( $ent this Mour7
ne' $ith his $ife Sarah( a*ed si>t'7%e - she $as
%er' handsome( and Araham feared that the E*')7
tians( smitten ' her charms( $ou+d =i++ him in order
to enMo' her transcendent eauties - he )ro)osed to
Dictionar'" G@
her that she shou+d )ass for his sister( etc" &uman
nature must at that time ha%e )ossessed a %i*or
$hich time and +u>ur' ha%e since %er' much $ea=7
ened" This $as the o)inion of a++ the ancientsH it
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has een asserted that &e+en $as se%ent' $hen she
$as carried o ' Paris" That $hich Araham had
foreseen came to )ass H the E*')tian 'outh found his
$ife charmin*( not$ithstandin* her si>t'7%e 'ears H
the =in* himse+f fe++ in +o%e $ith her( and )+aced her
in his sera*+io( thou*h( )roa+'( he had 'oun*er
$omen thereH ut the Lord )+a*ued the =in* and
his sera*+io $ith %er' *reat sores" The te>t does
not te++ us ho$ the =in* came to =no$ that this dan7
*erous eaut' $as Arahams $ifeH ut it seems
that he did come to =no$ it( and restored her"
Sarahs eaut' must ha%e een una+tera+eH for
t$ent'7%e 'ears after$ards( $hen she $as ninet'
'ears o+d( )re*nant( and tra%e++in* $ith her husand
throu*h the dominions of a =in* of Phoenicia named
Aime+ech( Araham( $ho had not 'et corrected
himse+f( made her a second time )ass for his sister"
The Phoenician =in* $as as sensi+e to her attrac7
tions as the =in* of E*')t had een H ut od a)7
)eared to this Aime+ech in a dream( and threatened
him $ith death if he touched his ne$ mistress" It
must e confessed that Sarahs conduct $as as e>7
traordinar' as the +astin* nature of her charms"
The sin*u+arit' of these ad%entures $as )roa+'
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the reason $h' the .e$s had not the same sort of
faith in their histories as the' had in their Le%iticus"
G9 Phi+oso)hica+
There $as not a sin*+e iota of their +a$ in $hich the'
did not e+ie%eH ut the historica+ )art of their
Scri)tures did not demand the same res)ect" Their
conduct in re*ard to their ancient oo=s ma' e com7
)ared to that of the En*+ish( $ho recei%ed the +a$s
of St" Ed$ard $ithout aso+ute+' e+ie%in* that St"
Ed$ard cured the scrofu+aH or to that of the Ro7
mans( $ho( $hi+e the' oe'ed their )rimiti%e +a$s(
$ere not o+i*ed to e+ie%e in the mirac+es of the
sie%e ++ed $ith $ater( the shi) dra$n to the shore
' a %esta+s *ird+e( the stone cut $ith a ra1or( and
so forth" Therefore the historian .ose)hus( thou*h
stron*+' attached to his form of $orshi)( +ea%es his
readers at +iert' to e+ie%e Must so much as the'
choose of the ancient )rodi*ies $hich he re+ates"
For the same reason the Sadducees $ere )ermitted
not to e+ie%e in the an*e+s( a+thou*h the an*e+s are
so often s)o=en of in the O+d Testament H ut these
same Sadducees $ere not )ermitted to ne*+ect the
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)rescried feasts( fasts( and ceremonies" This )art
of Arahams histor' the Mourne's into E*')t and
PhoeniciaQ )ro%es that *reat =in*doms $ere a+read'
esta+ished( $hi+e the .e$ish nation e>isted in a sin7
*+e fami+' H that there a+read' $ere +a$s( since $ith7
out them a *reat =in*dom cannot e>ist H and conse7
Juent+' that the +a$ of 0oses( $hich $as )osterior(
$as not the rst +a$" It is not necessar' for a +a$
to e di%ine( that it shou+d e the most ancient of a++"
od is undouted+' the master of time" It $ou+d(
it is true( seem more conforma+e to the faint +i*ht
Dictionar'" G;
of reason that od( ha%in* to *i%e a +a$( shou+d
ha%e *i%en it at the rst to a++ man=ind H ut if it e
)ro%ed that &e )roceeds in a dierent $a'( it is not
for us to Juestion &im"
The remainder of Arahams histor' is suMect to
*reat dicu+ties" od( $ho freJuent+' a))eared to
and made se%era+ treaties $ith him( one da' sent
three an*e+s to him in the %a++e' of 0amre" The
)atriarch *a%e them read( %ea+( utter( and mi+= to
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eat" The three s)irits dined( and after dinner the'
sent for Sarah( $ho had a=ed the read" One of
the an*e+s( $hom the te>t ca++s the Lord( the Eterna+(
)romised Sarah that( in the course of a 'ear( she
shou+d ha%e a son" Sarah( $ho $as then ninet'7
four( $hi+e her husand $as near+' a hundred(
+au*hed at the )romise a )roof that Sarah con7
fessed her decre)itude a )roof that( accordin* to
the Scri)ture itse+f( human nature $as not then %er'
dierent from $hat it is no$" Ne%erthe+ess( the fo+7
+o$in* 'ear( as $e ha%e a+read' seen( this a*ed $o7
man( after ecomin* )re*nant( ca)ti%ated Kin*
Aime+ech" Certes( to consider these stories as
natura+( $e must either ha%e a s)ecies of understand7
in* Juite dierent from that $hich $e ha%e at )res7
ent( or re*ard e%er' trait in the +ife of Araham as
a mirac+e( or e+ie%e that it is on+' an a++e*or' H ut
$hiche%er $a' $e turn( $e cannot esca)e emar7
rassment" For instance( $hat are $e to ma=e of
ods )romise to Araham that he $ou+d *i%e to
him and his )osterit' a++ the +and of Canaan( $hich
Vo+" 7G
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< Phi+oso)hica+
no Cha+daean e%er )ossessed This is one of the dif7
cu+ties $hich it is im)ossi+e to so+%e"
It seems astonishin* that od( after causin* Isaac
to e orn of a centenar' father and a $oman of
ninet'7%e( shou+d after$ards ha%e ordered that
father to murder the son $hom he had *i%en him
contrar' to e%er' e>)ectation" This stran*e order
from od seems to sho$ that( at the time $hen this
histor' $as $ritten( the sacrice of human %ictims
$as customar' amon*st the .e$s( as it after$ards
ecame in other nations( as $itness the %o$ of .e)h7
thah" !ut it ma' e said that the oedience of Ara7
ham( $ho $as read' to sacrice his son to the od
$ho had *i%en him( is an a++e*or' of the resi*na7
tion $hich man o$es to the orders of the Su)reme
!ein*"
There is one remar= $hich it is )articu+ar+' im7
)ortant to ma=e on the histor' of this )atriarch re7
*arded as the father of the .e$s and the Aras"
&is )rinci)a+ chi+dren $ere Isaac( orn of his $ife
' a miracu+ous fa%or of Pro%idence( and Ishmae+(
orn of his ser%ant" It $as in Isaac that the race of
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the )atriarch $as +essed H 'et Isaac $as father on+'
of an unfortunate and contem)ti+e )eo)+e( $ho $ere
for a +on* )eriod s+a%es( and ha%e for a sti++ +on*er
)eriod een dis)ersed" Ishmae+( on the contrar'( $as
the father of the Aras( $ho( in course of time(
esta+ished the em)ire of the ca+i)hs( one of the most
)o$erfu+ and most e>tensi%e in the $or+d"
The 0ussu+mans ha%e a *reat re%erence for
Dictionar'" :
Araham( $hom the' ca++ Irahim" Those $ho e7
+ie%e him to ha%e een uried at &eron( ma=e a )i+7
*rima*e thither( $hi+e those $ho thin= that his
tom is at 0ecca( *o and )a' their homa*e to him
there"
Some of the ancient Persians e+ie%ed that Ara7
ham $as the same as 5oroaster" It has een $ith
him as $ith most of the founders of the Eastern
nations( to $hom %arious names and %arious ad%en7
tures ha%e een attriuted H ut it a))ears ' the
Scri)ture te>t that he $as one of those $anderin*
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Aras $ho had no >ed haitation" We see him
orn at /r in Cha+dsea( *oin* rst to &aran( then
into Pa+estine( then into E*')t( then into Phoenicia(
and +ast+' forced to u' a *ra%e at &eron"
One of the most remar=a+e circumstances of his
+ife $as( that at the a*e of ninet'( efore he had e7
*otten Isaac( he caused himse+f( his son Ishmae+( and
a++ his ser%ants to e circumcised" It seems that he
had ado)ted this idea from the E*')tians" It is
dicu+t to determine the ori*in of such an o)eration H
ut it is most +i=e+' that it $as )erformed in order
to )re%ent the auses of )uert'" !ut $h' shou+d
a man under*o this o)eration at the a*e of a hun7
dred
On the other hand it is asserted that on+' the
)riests $ere ancient+' distin*uished in E*')t ' this
custom" It $as a usa*e of *reat antiJuit' in Africa
and )art of Asia for the most ho+' )ersona*es to
)resent their %iri+e memer to e =issed ' the $o7
? Phi+oso)hica+
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men $hom the' met" The or*ans of *eneration $ere
+oo=ed u)on as somethin* no+e and sacred as a
s'mo+ of di%ine )o$er - it $as customar' to s$ear
' them H and( $hen ta=in* an oath to another )er7
son( to +a' the hand on his testic+es" It $as )erha)s
from this ancient custom that the' after$ards re7
cei%ed their name( $hich si*nies $itnesses( ecause
the' $ere thus made a testimon' and a )+ed*e"
When Araham sent his ser%ant to as= Reecca for
his son Isaac( the ser%ant )+aced his hand on Ara7
hams *enita+s( $hich has een trans+ated ' the
$ord thi*h"
!' this $e see ho$ much the manners of remote
antiJuit' diered from ours" In the e'es of a )hi7
+oso)her it is no more astonishin* that men shou+d
former+' ha%e s$orn ' that )art than ' the head H
nor is it astonishin* that those $ho $ished to dis7
tin*uish themse+%es from other men shou+d ha%e
testied ' this %enerated )ortion of the human )er7
son"
The !oo= of enesis te++s us that circumcision
$as a co%enant et$een od and Araham H and e>7
)ress+' adds( that $hosoe%er sha++ not e circum7
cised in his house( sha++ e )ut to death" 4et $e are
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not to+d that Isaac $as circumcisedH nor is circum7
cision a*ain s)o=en of unti+ the time of 0oses"
We sha++ conc+ude this artic+e $ith one more o7
ser%ation( $hich is( that Araham( after ha%in* '
Sarah and &a*ar t$o sons( $ho ecame each the
father of a *reat nation( had si> sons ' Keturah(
Dictionar'" 3
$ho sett+ed in AraiaH ut their )osterit' $ere not
famous"
A!/SE"
A VICE attached to a++ the customs( to a++ the +a$s(
to a++ the institutions of man - the detai+ is too %ast
to e contained in an' +irar'"
States are *o%erned ' auses" 0a>imus i++e est
Jui minimis ur*etur" It mi*ht e said to the Chinese(
to the .a)anese( to the En*+ish 'our *o%ernment
s$arms $ith auses( $hich 'ou do not correct
The Chinese $i++ re)+' - We ha%e e>isted as a )eo)+e
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for %e thousand 'ears( and at this da' are )erha)s
the most fortunate nation on earth( ecause $e are
the most tranJui+" The .a)anese $i++ sa' near+' the
same" The En*+ish $i++ ans$er - We are )o$erfu+
at sea( and )ros)erous on +and H )erha)s in ten thou7
sand 'ears $e sha++ rin* our usa*es to )erfection"
The *rand secret is( to e in a etter condition than
others( e%en $ith enormous auses"
A!/SE OF WORDS"
!OOKS( +i=e con%ersation( rare+' *i%e us an' )re7
cise ideas - nothin* is so common as to read and
con%erse un)rota+'"
We must here re)eat $hat Loc=e has so stron*+'
ur*ed Dene 'our terms"
A Murisconsu+t( in his crimina+ institute( an7
nounces that the non7oser%ance of Sunda's and
ho+ida's is treason a*ainst the Di%ine 0aMest'"
G Phi+oso)hica+
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Treason a*ainst the Di%ine 0aMest' *i%es an idea of
the most enormous of crimes( and the most dread7
fu+ of chastisements" !ut $hat constitutes the of7
fence To ha%e missed %es)ers a thin* $hich
ma' ha))en to the est man in the $or+d"
In a++ dis)utes on +iert'( one reasoner *enera++'
understands one thin*( and his ad%ersar' another"
A third comes in $ho understands neither the one
nor the other( nor is himse+f understood" In these
dis)utes( one has in his head the )o$er of actin* H a
second( the )o$er of $i++in* H a third( the desire of
e>ecutin* H each re%o+%es in his o$n circ+e( and the'
ne%er meet" It is the same $ith Juarre+s aout *race"
Who can understand its nature( its o)erations( the
sucienc' $hich is not sucient( and the ecac'
$hich is ineectua+"
The $ords sustantia+ form $ere )ronounced for
t$o thousand 'ears $ithout su**estin* the +east
notion" For these( )+astic natures ha%e een su7
stituted( ut sti++ $ithout an'thin* ein* *ained"
A tra%e++er( sto))ed on his $a' ' a torrent( as=s
a %i++a*er on the o))osite an= to sho$ him the
ford - #o to the ri*ht # shouts the countr'man" &e
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ta=es the ri*ht and is dro$ned" The other runs u)
cr'in* - #Oh ho$ unfortunate I did not te++ him
to *o to his ri*ht( ut to mine #
The $or+d is fu++ of these misunderstandin*s"
&o$ $i++ a Nor$e*ian( $hen readin* this formu+a -
Ser%ant of the ser%ants of odH disco%er that it is
Dictionar'"
the !isho) of !isho)s( and Kin* of Kin*s $ho
s)ea=s
At the time $hen the #Fra*ments of Petronius#
made a *reat noise in the +iterar' $or+d( 0eio7
mius( a noted +earned man of Liiec=( read in the
)rinted +etter of another +earned man of !o+o*na-
#We ha%e here an entire Petrcnius( $hich I ha%e
seen $ith m' o$n e'es and admired"# &aemus hie
Petronium inte*rum( Juern %idi meis ocu+is non sine
admiratione" &e immediate+' set out for Ita+'(
hastened to !o+o*na( $ent to the +irarian Ca))oni(
and as=ed him if it $ere true that the' had the entire
Petronius at !o+o*na" Ca))oni ans$ered that it
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$as a fact $hich had +on* een )u+ic" #Can I see
this Petronius !e so *ood as to sho$ him to me"#
#Nothin* is more eas'(# said Ca))oni" &e then
too= him to the church in $hich the od' of St" Pe7
tronius $as +aid" 0eiomius ordered horses and
ed"
If the .esuit Danie+ too= a $ar+i=e aot( aa7
tern martia+em( for the aot 0artia+( a hundred his7
torians ha%e fa++en into sti++ *reater mista=es" The
.esuit dOr+eans( in his #Re%o+utions of En*+and(#
$rote indierent+' Northam)ton or Southam)ton(
on+' mista=in* the north for the south( or %ice %ersa"
0eta)h'sica+ terms( ta=en in their )ro)er sense(
ha%e sometimes determined the o)inion of t$ent'
nations" E%er' one =no$s the meta)hor of Isaiah(
&o$ hast thou fa++en from hea%en( thou star $hich
B Phi+oso)hica+
rose in the mornin* This discourse $as ima*ined
to ha%e een addressed to the de%i+ H and as the &e7
re$ $ord ans$erin* to the )+anet Venus $as ren7
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dered in Latin ' the $ord Lucifer( the de%i+ has
e%er "since een ca++ed Lucifer"
0uch ridicu+e has een esto$ed on the #Chart
of the Tender Passion# ' 0d++e" Cuderi" The +o%ers
emar= on the ri%er TendreH the' dine at Tendre
sur Estime( su) at Tendre sur Inc+ination( s+ee) at
Tendre sur Desir( nd themse+%es the ne>t mornin*
at Tendre sur Passion( and +ast+' at Tendre sur
Tendre" These ideas ma' e ridicu+ous( es)ecia++'
$hen C+e+ia( &oratius Codes( and other rude and
austere Romans set out on the %o'a*e H ut this *eo7
*ra)hica+ chart at +east sho$s us that +o%e has %ari7
ous +od*in*s( and that the same $ord does not a+7
$a's si*nif' the same thin*" There is a )rodi*ious
dierence et$een the +o%e of TarJuin and that of
Ce+adon et$een Da%ids +o%e for .onathan( $hich
$as stron*er than that of $omen( and the Ae Des7
fontaines +o%e for +itt+e chimne'7s$ee)ers"
The most sin*u+ar instance of this ause of $ords
these %o+untar' eJui%oJues these misunderstand7
in*s $hich ha%e caused so man' Juarre+s is the
Chinese Kin*7tien" The missionaries ha%in* %io7
+ent dis)utes aout the meanin* of this $ord( the
Court of Rome sent a Frenchman( named 0ai*rot(
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$hom the' made the ima*inar' isho) of a )ro%ince
in China( to adMust the dierence" 0ai*rot did not
=no$ a $ord of ChineseH ut the em)eror dei*ned
Dictionar'" @
to *rant that he shou+d e to+d $hat he understood
' Kin*7tien" 0ai*rot $ou+d not e+ie%e $hat $as
to+d him( ut caused the em)eror of China to e con7
demned at Rome
The ause of $ords is an ine>hausti+e suMect"
In histor'( in mora+it'( in Muris)rudence( in medicine(
ut es)ecia++' in theo+o*'( e$are of ami*uit'"
ACADE04"
ACADE0IES are to uni%ersities as maturit' is to
chi+dhood( orator' to *rammar( or )o+iteness to the
rst +essons in ci%i+it'" Academies( not ein* sti7
)endiar'( shou+d e entire+' free H such $ere the acad7
emies of Ita+'H such is the French Academ'H and
such( more )articu+ar+'( is the Ro'a+ Societ' of Lon7
don"
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The French Academ'( $hich formed itse+f( re7
cei%ed( it is true( +etters )atent from Louis 8III"(
ut $ithout an' sa+ar'( and conseJuent+' $ithout
an' suMectionH hence it $as that the rst men in
the =in*dom( and e%en )rinces( sou*ht admission
into this i++ustrious od'" The Societ' of London
has )ossessed the same ad%anta*e"
The ce+erated Co+ert( ein* a memer of the
French Academ'( em)+o'ed some of his rethren to
com)ose inscri)tions and de%ices for the )u+ic
ui+din*s" This assem+'( to $hich !oi+eau and Ra7
cine after$ards e+on*ed( soon ecame an academ'
of itse+f" The esta+ishment of this Academ' of In7
scri)tions( no$ ca++ed that of the !1++es7Lettres( ma'(
9 Phi+oso)hica+
indeed( e dated from the 'ear :BB:( and that of the
Academ' of Sciences from :BBB" We are indeted
for oth esta+ishments to the same minister( $ho
contriuted in so man' $a's to the s)+endor of the
a*e of Louis 8IV"
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After the deaths of .ean !a)tiste Co+ert and the
0arJuis de Lou%ois( $hen Count de Pontchartrain(
secretar' of state( had the de)artment of Paris( he
intrusted the *o%ernment of the ne$ academies to
his ne)he$( the Ae !i*non" Then $ere rst de7
%ised honorar' fe++o$shi)s reJuirin* no +earnin*(
and $ithout remuneration H )+aces $ith sa+aries dis7
a*reea+' distin*uished from the formerH fe++o$7
shi)s $ithout sa+aries H and scho+arshi)s( a tit+e sti++
more disa*reea+e( $hich has since een su))ressed"
The Academ' of the !e++es7Lettres $as )ut on the
same footin* H oth sumitted to the immediate con7
tro+ of the secretar' of state( and to the re%o+tin* dis7
tinction of honoraries( )ensionaries( and )u)i+s"
The Ae !i*non %entured to )ro)ose the same
re*u+ation to the French Academ'( of $hich he $as
a memer H ut he $as heard $ith unanimous indi*7
nation" The +east o)u+ent in the Academ' $ere the
rst to reMect his oers( and to )refer +iert' to )en7
sions and honors" The Ae !i*non( $ho( in the
+auda+e intention of doin* *ood( had dea+t too
free+' $ith the no+e sentiments of his rethren(
ne%er a*ain set his foot in the French Academ'"
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The $ord Academ' ecame so ce+erated that
$hen Lu++i( $ho $as a sort of fa%orite( otained the
Dictionar'" ;
esta+ishment of his O)era( in :B;?( he had interest
enou*h to *et inserted in the )atent( thdt it 7$as a
Ro'a+ Academ' of 0usic( in $hich Ladies and en7
t+emen mi*ht sin* $ithout demeanin* themse+%es"
&e did not confer the same honor on the dancers H
the )u+ic( ho$e%er( has a+$a's continued to *o to
the O)era( ut ne%er to the Academ' of 0usic"
It is =no$n that the $ord Academ'( orro$ed
from the ree=s( ori*ina++' si*nied a societ' or
schoo+ of )hi+oso)h' at Athens( $hich met in a *ar7
den eJueathed to it ' Academus" The Ita+ians
$ere the rst $ho instituted such societies after the
re%i%a+ of +ettersH the Academ' De+ia Crusca is of
the si>teenth centur'" Academies $ere after$ards
esta+ished in e%er' to$n $here the sciences $ere
cu+ti%ated" The Societ' of London has ne%er ta=en
the tit+e of Academ'"
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The )ro%incia+ academies ha%e een of si*na+ ad7
%anta*e" The' ha%e *i%en irth to emu+ation( forced
'outh to +aor( introduced them to a course of *ood
readin*( dissi)ated the i*norance and )reMudices of
some of our to$ns( fostered a s)irit of )o+iteness(
and( as far as it is )ossi+e( destro'ed )edantr'"
Scarce+' an'thin* has een $ritten a*ainst the
French Academ'( e>ce)t fri%o+ous and insi)id )+eas7
antries" St" E%remonds comed' of #The Acade7
micians# had some re)utation in its timeH ut a
)roof of the +itt+e merit it )ossessed is that it is no$
for*otten( $hereas the *ood satires of !oi+eau are
immorta+"
B< Phi+oso)hica+
ADA0"
SECTION I"
So 0/C& has een said and so much $ritten con7
cernin* Adam( his $ife( the )re7Adamites( etc"( and
the rais ha%e )ut forth so man' id+e stories re7
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s)ectin* Adam( and it is so du++ to re)eat $hat oth7
ers ha%e said efore( that I sha++ here ha1ard an idea
entire+' ne$ H one( at +east( $hich is not to e found
in an' ancient author( father of the church( )reacher(
theo+o*ian( critic( or scho+ar $ith $hom I am ac7
Juainted" I mean the )rofound secrec' $ith res)ect
to Adam $hich $as oser%ed throu*hout the hai7
ta+e earth( Pa+estine on+' e>ce)ted( unti+ the time
$hen the .e$ish oo=s e*an to e =no$n in A+e>7
andria( and $ere trans+ated into ree= under one of
the Pto+emies" Sti++ the' $ere %er' +itt+e =no$nH
for +ar*e oo=s $ere %er' rare and %er' dear" !e7
sides( the .e$s of .erusa+em $ere so incensed a*ainst
those of A+e>andria( +oaded them $ith so man' re7
)roaches for ha%in* trans+ated their !i+e into a )ro7
fane ton*ue( ca++ed them so man' i++ names( and
cried so +oud+' to the Lord( that the A+e>andrian
.e$s concea+ed their trans+ation as much as )ossi+e H
it $as so secret that no ree= or Roman author
s)ea=s of it efore the time of the Em)eror Aure7
an"
The historian .ose)hus confesses( in his ans$er
to A))ian( that the .e$s had not +on* had an' in7
tercourse $ith other nations - #We inhait(# sa's he(
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Dictionar'" B :
#a countr' distant from the seaH $e do not a))+'
ourse+%es to commerce( nor ha%e $e an' communi7
cation $ith other nations" Is it to e $ondered at
that our )eo)+e( d$e++in* so far from the sea( and
aectin* ne%er to $rite( ha%e een so +itt+e =no$n #
&ere it $i++ )roa+' e as=ed ho$ .ose)hus
cou+d sa' that his nation aected ne%er to $rite an'7
thin*( $hen the' had t$ent'7t$o canonica+ oo=s(
$ithout rec=onin* the #Tar *um# ' On=e+os" !ut it
must e considered that t$ent'7t$o sma++ %o+umes
$ere %er' +itt+e $hen "com)ared $ith the mu+titude
of oo=s )reser%ed in the +irar' of A+e>andria( ha+f
of $hich $ere urned in Caesars $ar"
It is certain that the .e$s had $ritten and read
%er' +itt+eH that the' $ere )rofound+' i*norant of
astronom'( *eometr'( *eo*ra)h'( and )h'sics H that
the' =ne$ nothin* of the histor' of other nations H
and that in A+e>andria the' rst e*an to +earn"
Their +an*ua*e $as a ararous mi>ture of ancient
Phoenician and corru)ted Cha+dee H it $as so )oor
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that se%era+ moods $ere $antin* in the conMu*ation
of their %ers"
0oreo%er( as the' communicated neither their
oo=s nor the tit+es of them to an' forei*ner( no one
on earth e>ce)t themse+%es had e%er heard of Adam(
or E%e( or Ae+( or Cain( or Noah" Araham a+one
$as( in course of time( =no$n to the Orienta+ na7
tions H ut no ancient )eo)+e admitted that Araham
$as the root of the .e$ish nation"
Such are the secrets of Pro%idence( that the father
B? Phi+oso)hica+
and mother of the human race ha%e e%er een tota++'
un=no$n to their descendantsH so that the names
of Adam and E%e are to e found in no ancient
author( either of reece( of Rome( of Persia( or of
S'ria( nor e%en amon* the Aras( unti+ near the
time of 0ahomet" It $as ods )+easure that the
ori*in of the *reat fami+' of the $or+d shou+d e
concea+ed from a++ ut the sma++est and most un7
fortunate )art of that fami+'"
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&o$ is it that Adam and E%e ha%e een un7
=no$n to a++ their chi+dren &o$ cou+d it e that
neither in E*')t nor in !a'+on $as an' trace
an' tradition of our rst )arents to e found Wh'
$ere the' not mentioned ' Or)heus( ' Linus( or
' Tham'ris For if the' had said ut one $ord of
them( it $ou+d undouted+' ha%e een cau*ht '
&esiod( and es)ecia++' ' &omer( $ho s)ea= of
e%er'thin* e>ce)t the authors of the human race"
C+ement of A+e>andria( $ho co++ected so man'
ancient testimonies( $ou+d not ha%e fai+ed to Juote
an' )assa*e in $hich mention had een made of
Adam and E%e" Euseius( in his #/ni%ersa+ &is7
tor'(# has e>amined e%en the most doutfu+ testi7
monies( and $ou+d assured+' ha%e made the most of
the sma++est a++usion( or a))earance of an a++usion( to
our rst )arents" It is( then( sucient+' c+ear that
the' $ere a+$a's utter+' un=no$n to the nations"
We do( it is true( nd amon* the !rahmins( in
the oo= entit+ed the #E1our%eidam(# the names of
Adimo and of Procriti( his $ife" !ut thou*h Adimo
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Dictionar'" B3
has some +itt+e resem+ance to our Adam( the In7
dians sa'- #We $ere a *reat )eo)+e esta+ished on
the an=s of the Indus and the an*es man' a*es
efore the &ere$ horde mo%ed to$ards the .ordan"
The E*')tians( the Persians( and the Aras came
to us for $"isdom and s)ices $hen the .e$s $ere un7
=no$n to the rest of man=ind" We cannot ha%e
ta=en our Adimo from their AdamH our Procriti
does not in the +east resem+e E%eH esides( their
histor' and ours are entire+' dierent"
#0oreo%er( the Veidam( on $hich the Esour7
%eidam is a commentar'( is e+ie%ed ' us to ha%e
een com)osed at a more remote )eriod of antiJuit'
than the .e$ish oo=sH and the + Veidam itse+f is a
ne$er +a$ *i%en to the !rahmins( fteen hundred
'ears after their rst +a$( ca++ed Shasta or Shasta7
ad"#
Such( or near+' such( are the ans$ers $hich the
!rahmins of the )resent da' ha%e often made to the
cha)+ains of merchant %esse+s $ho ha%e ta+=ed to
them of Adam and E%e( and Cain and Ae+( $hen
the traders of Euro)e ha%e *one( $ith arms in their
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hands( to u' their s)ices and +a' $aste their coun7
tr'"
The Phoenician Sanchoniathon( $ho certain+'
+i%ed efore the )eriod at $hich $e )+ace 0oses(
and $ho is Juoted ' Euseius as an authentic
$riter( *i%es ten *enerations to the human race( as
does 0oses( do$n to the time of Noah H ut( in these
ten *enerations( he mentions neither Adam nor E%e(
BG Phi+oso)hica+
nor an' of their descendants( not e%en Noah him7
se+f" The names( accordin* to the ree= trans+a7
tion ' Phi+o of !i+os( are Lon( enos( Pho>( Li7
an( /sou( &a+ieus( Chrisor( Tecnites( A*ro%e(
AmineH these are the rst ten *enerations"
We do not see the name of Noah or ef Adam in
an' of the ancient d'nasties of E*')t - the' are not
to e found amon* the Cha+daeans H in a $ord( the
$ho+e earth has een si+ent res)ectin* them" It
must e o$ned that such a si+ence is un)ara++e+ed"
E%er' )eo)+e has attriuted to itse+f some ima*inar'
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ori*in( 'et none has a))roached the true one" We
cannot com)rehend ho$ the father of a++ nations has
so +on* een un=no$n( $hi+e in the natura+ course
of thin*s his name shou+d ha%e een carried from
mouth to mouth to the farthest corners of the earth"
Let us hum+e ourse+%es to the decrees of that
Pro%idence $hich has )ermitted so astonishin* an
o+i%ion" A++ $as m'sterious and concea+ed in the
nation *uided ' od &imse+f( $hich )re)ared the
$a' for Christianit'( and $as the $i+d o+i%e on
$hich the fruitfu+ one has een *rafted" That the
names of the authors of man=ind shou+d e un7
=no$n to man=ind is a m'ster' of the hi*hest order"
I $i++ %enture to arm that it has reJuired a
mirac+e thus to shut the e'es and ears of a++ nations
to destro' e%er' monument( e%er' memoria+ of
their rst father" What $ou+d Caesar( Anton'(
Crassus( Pom)e'( Cicero( 0arce++us( or 0ete++us
ha%e thou*ht( if a )oor .e$( $hi+e se++in* them
Dictionar'" B
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a+m( had said( #We a++ descend from one father(
named Adam"# A++ the Roman senate $ou+d ha%e
cried( #Sho$ us our *enea+o*ica+ tree"# Then the
.e$ $ou+d ha%e dis)+a'ed his ten *enerations( do$n
to the time of Noah( and the secret of the uni%ersa+
de+u*e" The senate $ou+d ha%e as=ed him ho$
man' )ersons $ere in the ar= to feed a++ the ani7
ma+s for ten $ho+e months( and durin* the fo++o$7
in* 'ear in $hich no food $ou+d e )roduced The
)edd+er $ou+d ha%e said( #We $ere ei*ht Noah and
his $ife( their three sons( Shem( &am( and .a)het(
and their $i%es" A++ this fami+' descended in a ri*ht
+ine from Adam"#
Cicero( $ou+d( dout+ess( ha%e inJuired for the
*reat monuments( the indis)uta+e testimonies $hich
Noah and his chi+dren had +eft of our common fa7
ther" #After the de+u*e(# he $ou+d ha%e said( #the
$ho+e $or+d $ou+d ha%e resounded $ith the names
of Adam and Noah( one the father( the other the
restorer of e%er' race" These names $ou+d ha%e
een in e%er' mouth as soon as men cou+d s)ea=( on
e%er' )archment as soon as the' cou+d $rite( on the
door of e%er' house as soon as the' cou+d ui+d( on
e%er' tem)+e( on e%er' statue H and ha%e 'ou =no$n
so *reat a secret( 'et concea+ed it from us# The
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.e$ $ou+d ha%e ans$ered- #It is ecause $e are
)ure and 'ou are im)ure"# The Roman senate
$ou+d ha%e +au*hed #and the .e$ $ou+d ha%e een
$hi))edH so much are men attached to their
)reMudices
Vo+ V e"
BB Phi+oso)hica+
SECTION II"
The )ious 0adame de !ouri*non $as sure that
Adam $as an herma)hrodite( +i=e the rst men of
the di%ine P+ato" od had re%ea+ed a *reat secret
to her H ut as I ha%e not had the same re%e+ation( I
sha++ sa' nothin* of the matter"
The .e$ish rais ha%e read Adams oo=s( and
=no$ the names of his )rece)tor and his second
$ife H ut as I ha%e not read our rst )arents oo=s(
I sha++ remain si+ent" Some acute and %er' +earned
)ersons are Juite astonished $hen the' read the
#Veidam# of the ancient !rahmins( to nd that the
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rst man $as created in India( and ca++ed Adimo(
$hich si*nies the e*etter( and his $ife( Procriti(
si*nif'in* +ife" The' sa' the sect of the !rahmins
is incontesta+' more ancient than that of the .e$s H
that it $as not unti+ a +ate )eriod that the .e$s cou+d
$rite in the Canaanitish +an*ua*e( since it $as not
unti+ +ate that the' esta+ished themse+%es in the +it7
t+e countr' of Canaan" The' sa' the Indians $ere
a+$a's in%entors( and the .e$s a+$a's imitatorsH
the Indians a+$a's in*enious( and the .e$s a+$a's
rude" The' sa' it is dicu+t to e+ie%e that Adam(
$ho $as fair and had hair on his head( $as father
to the ne*roes( $ho are entire+' +ac=( and ha%e
+ac= $oo+" What( indeed( do the' not sa' As for
me( I sa' nothin*H I +ea%e these researches to the
Re%erend Father !erru'er of the Societ' of .esus"
&e is the most )erfect Innocent I ha%e e%er =no$n H
Dictionar'" B@
the oo= has een urned( as that of a man $ho
$ished to turn the !i+e into ridicu+eH ut I am
Juite sure he had no such $ic=ed end in %ie$"
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SECTION III"
The a*e for inJuirin* serious+' $hether or not
=no$+ed*e $as infused into Adam had )assed 'H
tose $ho so +on* a*itated the Juestion had no
=no$+ed*e( either infused or acJuired" It is as di7
cu+t to =no$ at $hat time the !oo= of enesis( $hich
s)ea=s of Adam( $as $ritten( as it is to =no$ the
date of the #Veidam(# of the #Sans=rit(# or an' other
of the ancient Asiatic oo=s" It is im)ortant to re7
mar= that the .e$s $ere not )ermitted to read the
rst cha)ter of enesis efore the' $ere t$ent'7%e
'ears o+d" 0an' rais ha%e re*arded the forma7
tion of Adam and E%e and their ad%enture as an
a++e*or'" E%er' ce+erated nation of antiJuit' has
ima*ined some simi+ar one H and( ' a sin*u+ar con7
currence( $hich mar=s the $ea=ness of our nature(
a++ ha%e endea%ored to e>)+ain the ori*in of mora+
and )h'sica+ e%i+ ' ideas near+' a+i=e" The Cha+7
daeans( the Indians( the Persians and the E*')tians
ha%e accounted( in simi+ar $a's( for that mi>ture of
*ood and e%i+ $hich seems to e a necessar' a)7
)enda*e to our *+oe" The .e$s( $ho $ent out of
E*')t( rude as the' $ere( had heard of the a++e*or7
ica+ )hi+oso)h' of the E*')tians" With the +itt+e
=no$+ed*e thus acJuired( the' after$ards mi>ed
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that $hich the' recei%ed from the Phoenicians and
B9 Phi+oso)hica+
from the !a'+onians durin* their +on* s+a%er'" !ut
as it is natura+ and %er' common for a rude nation
to imitate rude+' the conce)tions of a )o+ished )eo7
)+e( it is not sur)risin* that the .e$s ima*ined a
$oman formed from the side of a man( the s)irit of
+ife reathed from the mouth of od on the face of
Adam the Ti*ris( the Eu)hrates( the Ni+e and the
O>us( ha%in* a++ the same source in a *arden( and
the foridden fruit( $hich rou*ht death into the
$or+d( as $e++ as )h'sica+ and mora+ e%i+" Fu++ of
the idea $hich )re%ai+ed amon* the ancients( that
the ser)ent $as a %er' cunnin* anima+( the' had no
*reat dicu+t' in endo$in* it $ith understandin*
and s)eech"
This )eo)+e( $ho then inhaited on+' a sma++
corner of the earth( $hich the' e+ie%ed to e +on*(
narro$ and at( cou+d easi+' e+ie%e that a++ men
came from Adam" The' did not e%en =no$ that the
ne*roes( $ith a conformation dierent from their
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o$n( inhaited immense re*ionsH sti++ +ess cou+d
the' ha%e an' idea of America"
It is( ho$e%er( %er' stran*e that the .e$ish )eo7
)+e $ere )ermitted to read the oo=s of E>odus(
$here there are so man' mirac+es that shoc= reason(
'et $ere not )ermitted to read efore the a*e of
t$ent'7%e the rst cha)ter of enesis( in $hich a++
is necessari+' a mirac+e( since the creation is the su7
Mect" Perha)s it $as ecause od( after creatin* the
man and $oman in the rst cha)ter( ma=es them
a*ain in another( and it $as thou*ht e>)edient to
Dictionar'" B;
=ee) this a))earance of contradiction from the e'es of
'outh" Perha)s it is ecause it is said that od
made man in his o$n ima*e( and this e>)ression
*a%e the .e$s too cor)orea+ an idea of od" Perha)s
it $as ecause it is said that od too= a ri from
Adams side to form the $oman( and the 'oun* and
inconsiderate( fee+in* their sides( and ndin* the
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ri*ht numer of ris( mi*ht ha%e sus)ected the
author of some inde+it'" Perha)s it $as e7
cause od( $ho a+$a's too= a $a+= at noon in the
*arden of Eden( +au*hed at Adam after his fa++( and
this tone of ridicu+e mi*ht tend to *i%e 'outh too
*reat a taste for )+easantr'" In short( e%er' +ine of
this cha)ter furnishes %er' )+ausi+e reasons for in7
terdictin* the readin* of it H ut such ein* the case(
one cannot c+ear+' see ho$ it $as that the other
cha)ters $ere )ermitted" It is( esides( sur)risin*
that the .e$s $ere not to read this cha)ter unti+ the'
$ere t$ent'7%e" One $ou+d thin= that it shou+d
rst ha%e een )ro)osed to chi+dhood( $hich recei%es
e%er'thin* $ithout e>amination( rather than to
'outh( $hose )ride is to Mud*e and to +au*h" On the
other hand( the .e$s of t$ent'7%e 'ears of a*e(
ha%in* their Mud*ments )re)ared and stren*thened(
mi*ht e more tted to recei%e this cha)ter than in7
e>)erienced minds" We sha++ sa' nothin* here of
Adams second $ife( named Li++ah( $hom the an7
cient rais ha%e *i%en him" It must e confessed
that $e =no$ %er' fe$ anecdotes of our fami+'"
@< Phi+oso)hica+
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ADORATION"
Is IT not a *reat fau+t in some modern +an*ua*es
that the same $ord that is used in addressin* the
Su)reme !ein* is a+so used in addressin* a mis7
tress We not infreJuent+' *o from hearin* a ser7
mon( in $hich the )reacher has ta+=ed of nothin*
ut adorin* od in s)irit and in truth( to the o)era(
$here nothin* is to e heard ut the charmin* oMect
of m' adoration( etc"
The ree=s and Romans( at +east( did not fa++ into
this e>tra%a*ant )rofanation" &orace does not sa'
that he adores La+a*eH Tiu++us does not adore
De+ia H nor is e%en the term adoration to e found in
Petronius" If an'thin* can e>cuse this indecenc'( it
is the freJuent mention $hich is made in our o)eras
and son*s of the *ods of ancient fa+e" Poets ha%e
said that their mistresses $ere more adora+e
than these fa+se di%initiesH for $hich no one cou+d
+ame them" We ha%e insensi+' ecome fami+iar7
i1ed $ith this mode of e>)ression( unti+ at +ast( $ith7
out an' )erce)tion of the fo++'( the od of the uni7
%erse is addressed in the same terms as an o)era
sin*er"
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!ut to return to the im)ortant )art of our su7
Mect - There is no ci%i+i1ed nation $hich does not
render )u+ic adoration to od" It is true that
neither in Asia nor in Africa is an' )erson forced
to the mosJue or tem)+e of the )+ace H each one *oes
of his o$n accord" This custom of assem+in*
Dictionar'" @:
shou+d tend to unite the minds of men and render
them more *ent+e in societ' H 'et ha%e the' een seen
ra*in* a*ainst each other( e%en in the consecrated
aode of )eace" The tem)+e of .erusa+em $as
de+u*ed $ith +ood ' 1ea+ots $ho murdered their
rethren( and our churches ha%e more than once een
de+ed ' carna*e"
In the artic+e on #China# it $i++ e seen that the
em)eror is the chief )onti( and that the $orshi) is
au*ust and sim)+e" There are other countries in
$hich it is sim)+e $ithout an' ma*nicence( as
amon* the reformers of Euro)e and in !ritish
America" In others $a> ta)ers must e +i*hted at
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noon( a+thou*h in the )rimiti%e a*es the' $ere he+d
in aomination" A con%ent of nuns( if de)ri%ed of
their ta)ers( $ou+d cr' out that the +i*ht of the faith
$as e>tin*uished and the $or+d $ou+d short+' e at
an end" The Church of En*+and ho+ds a midd+e
course et$een the )om)ous ceremonies of the
Church of Rome and the )+ainness of the Ca+%inists"
Throu*hout the East( son*s( dances and torches
formed )art of the ceremonies essentia+ in a++ sacred
feasts" No sacerdota+ institution e>isted amon* the
ree=s $ithout son*s and dances" The &ere$s
orro$ed this custom from their nei*horsH for
Da%id san* and danced efore the ar="
St" 0atthe$ s)ea=s of a cantic+e sun* ' .esus
Christ &imse+f and ' &is a)ost+es after their Pass7
o%er" This cantic+e( $hich is not admitted into the
authori1ed oo=s( is to e found in fra*ments in the
@? Phi+oso)hica+
?3@th +etter of St" Au*ustine to !isho) ChretiusH
and( $hate%er dis)utes there ma' ha%e een aout its
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authenticit'( it is certain that sin*in* $as em)+o'ed
in a++ re+i*ious ceremonies" 0ahomet found this a
sett+ed mode of $orshi) amon* the Aras H it is a+so
esta+ished in India( ut does not a))ear to e in use
amon* the +ettered men of China" The ceremonies
of a++ )+aces ha%e some resem+ance and some dier7
enceH ut od is $orshi))ed throu*hout the earth"
Woe( assured+'( unto those $ho do not adore &im
as $e do $hether errin* in their tenets or in their
rites" The' sit in the shado$ of deathH ut the
*reater their misfortune the more are the' to e
)itied and su))orted"
It is indeed a *reat conso+ation for us that the
0ahometans( the Indians( the Chinese( the Tartars(
a++ adore one on+' od H for so far the' are our =in7
dred" Their fata+ i*norance of our sacred m'steries
can on+' ins)ire us $ith tender com)assion for our
$anderin* rethren" Far from us e a++ s)irit of
)ersecution $hich $ou+d on+' ser%e to render them
irreconci+a+e"
One on+' od ein* adored throu*hout the
=no$n $or+d( sha++ those $ho ac=no$+ed*e &im as
their Father ne%er cease to )resent to &im the re7
%o+tin* s)ectac+e of &is chi+dren detestin*( anathe7
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mati1in*( )ersecutin* and massacrin* one another
' $a' of ar*ument
It is hard to determine )recise+' $hat the ree=s
and Romans understood ' adorin*( or $hether the'
Dictionar'" @3
adored fauns( s'+%ans( dr'ads and naiads as the'
adored the t$e+%e su)erior *ods" It is not +i=e+'
that Adrians minion( Antinous( $as adored ' the
E*')tians of +ater times $ith the same $orshi)
$hich the' )aid to Sera)isH and it is sucient+'
)ro%ed that the ancient E*')tians did not adore
onions and crocodi+es as the' did Isis and Osiris"
Ami*uit' aounds e%er'$here and confounds
e%er'thin*H $e are o+i*ed at e%er' $ord to e>7
c+aim( What do 'ou mean $e must constant+' re7
)eat Dene 'our terms"
Is it Juite true that Simon( ca++ed the 0a*ician(
$as adored amon* the Romans It is not more
true that he $as utter+' un=no$n to them" St"
.ustin in his #A)o+o*'(# $hich $as as +itt+e
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=no$n at Rome as Simon( te++s us that this od had
a statue erected on the Tier( or rather near the
Tier( et$een the t$o rid*es( $ith this inscri)7
tion - Sitnoni deo sancto" St" Irenasus and Tertu+7
+ian attest the same thin* H ut to $hom do the' at7
test it To )eo)+e $ho had ne%er seen Rome to
Africans( to A++oro*es( to S'rians( and to some of
the inhaitants of Sichem" The' had certain+' not
seen this statue( the rea+ inscri)tion on $hich $as
Semo sanco deo dio( and not Simoni deo sancto"
The' shou+d at +east ha%e consu+ted Dion'sius of
&a+icarnassus( $ho *i%es this inscri)tion in his
fourth oo=" " Semo sanco $as an o+d Saine $ord(
si*nif'in* ha+f *od and ha+f manH $e nd in Li%'(
!ona Semoni sanco censuerunt consecranda" This
@G Phi+oso)hica+
*od $as one of the most ancient in Roman $orshi)(
ha%in* een consecrated ' TarJuin the Proud( and
$as considered as the *od of a++iances and *ood
faith" It $as the custom to sacrice an o> to him(
and to $rite an' treat' made $ith a nei*horin*
)eo)+e u)on the s=in" &e had a tem)+e near that of
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6uirinus H oerin*s $ere sometimes )resented to
him under the name of Semo the father( and some7
times under that of Sancus dius( $hence O%id sa's
in his #Fasti# -
6ucEream nonas Sanco( Fido%e referrem(
An tii( Semo )ater"
Such $as the Roman di%init' $hich for so man'
a*es $as ta=en for Simon the 0a*ician" St" C'ri+
of .erusa+em had no douts on the suMect( and St"
Au*ustine in his rst oo= of #&eresies# te++s us that
Simon the 0a*ician himse+f )rocured the erection
of this statue( to*ether $ith that of his &e+ena( '
order of the em)eror and senate"
This stran*e fa+e( the fa+sehood of $hich mi*ht
so easi+' ha%e een disco%ered( $as constant+' con7
nected $ith another fa+e( $hich re+ates that Simon
and St" Peter oth a))eared efore Nero and cha+7
+en*ed each other $hich of them shou+d soonest
rin* to +ife the cor)se of a near re+ati%e of Neros(
and a+so raise himse+f hi*hest in the air H that Simon
caused himse+f to e carried u) ' de%i+s in a er'
chariotH that St" Peter and St" Pau+ rou*ht him
do$n ' their )ra'ers H that he ro=e his +e*s and in
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Dictionar'" @
conseJuence died( and that Nero( ein* enra*ed( )ut
oth St" Peter and St" Pau+ to death"
Adias( 0arce++inus and &e*isi))us ha%e each
re+ated this stor'( $ith a +itt+e dierence in the de7
tai+s" Arnoius( St" C'ri+ of .erusa+em( Su+)icius
Se%erus( Phi+aster( St" E)i)hanius( Isidorus of Da7
mietta( 0a>imus of Turin( and se%era+ other authors
successi%e+' *a%e currenc' to this error( and it $as
*enera++' ado)ted( unti+ at +en*th there $as found(
at Rome a statue of Semo sancus deus dius( and the
+earned Father 0ai++on du* u) an ancient monu7
ment $ith the inscri)tion Semoni sanco deo dio"
It is ne%erthe+ess certain that there $as a Simon(
$hom the .e$s e+ie%ed to e a ma*ician( as it is
certain that there $as an A)o++onius of T'ana" It
is a+so true that this Simon( $ho $as orn in the +it7
t+e countr' of Samaria( *athered to*ether some %a*7
aonds( $hom he )ersuaded that he $as one sent '
od H he a)ti1ed( indeed( as $e++ as the a)ost+es(
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and raised a+tar a*ainst a+tar"
The .e$s of Samaria( a+$a's hosti+e to those of
.erusa+em( %entured to o))ose this Simon to .esus
Christ( ac=no$+ed*ed ' the a)ost+es and disci)+es(
a++ of $hom $ere of the trie of !enMamin or that of
.udah" &e a)ti1ed +i=e them( ut to the a)tism of
$ater he added re( sa'in* that he had een fore7
to+d ' .ohn the !a)tist in these $ords - #&e that
cometh after me is mi*htier than I H he sha++ a)ti1e
'ou $ith the &o+' host and $ith re"#
Simon +i*hted a +ament ame o%er the a)tisma+
@ B Phi+oso)hica+
font $ith na)htha from the As)ha+tic La=e" &is
)art' $as %er' stron*( ut it is %er' doutfu+
$hether his disci)+es adored himH St" .ustin is the
on+' one $ho e+ie%es it"
0enander( +i=e Simon( said he $as sent ' od
to e the sa%ior of men" A++ the fa+se 0essiahs( !ar7
cocheas es)ecia++'( ca++ed themse+%es sent ' odH
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ut not e%en !arcocheas demanded to e adored"
0en are not often erected into di%inities $hi+e the'
+i%e( un+ess( indeed( the' e A+e>anders or Roman
em)erors( $ho e>)ress+' order their s+a%es so to do"
!ut this is not( strict+' s)ea=in*( adoration H it is an
e>traordinar' homa*e( an antici)ated a)otheosis( a
atter' as ridicu+ous as those $hich are +a%ished on
Octa%ius ' Vir*i+ and &orace"
AD/LTER4"
WE are not indeted for this e>)ression to the
ree=sH the' ca++ed adu+ter' moicheia( from $hich
came the Latin mcechus( $hich $e ha%e not ado)ted"
We o$e it neither to the S'riac ton*ue nor to the
&ere$( a Mar*on of the S'riac( in $hich adu+ter'
is ca++ed niu)h" In Latin adu+teratio si*nied a+ter7
ation adu+teration( one thin* )ut for another a
counterfeit( as fa+se =e's( fa+se ar*ains( fa+se si*na7
turesH thus he $ho too= )ossession of anothers ed
$as ca++ed adu+ter"
In a simi+ar $a'( ' anti)hrasis( the name o,f
cocc'>( a cuc=oo( $as *i%en to the )oor husand into
$hose nest a stran*er intruded" P+in'( the natura+7
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Dictionar'( @@
:st( sa's - #Cocc'> o%a sudit in nidis a+ienisH ita
)+eriJue a+ienas u>ores faciunt matres# #the
cuc=oo de)osits its e**s in the nest of other irdsH
so the Romans not unfreJuent+' made mothers of
the $i%es of their friends"# The com)arison is not
o%er Must" Cocc'> si*nif'in* a cuc=oo( $e ha%e
made it cuc=o+d" What a numer of thin*s do $e
o$e to the Romans !ut as the sense of a++ $ords is
suMect to chan*e( the term a))+ied to cuc=o+d(
$hich( accordin* to *ood *rammar( shou+d e the
*a++ant( is a))ro)riated to the husand" Some of
the +earned assert that it is to the ree=s $e o$e the
em+em of the horns( and that the' esto$ed the a)7
)e++ation of *oat u)on a husand the dis)osition of
$hose $ife resem+ed that of a fema+e of the same
s)ecies" Indeed( the' used the e)ithet son of a *oat
in the same $a' as the modern %u+*ar do an a))e++a7
tion $hich is much more +itera+"
These %i+e terms are no +on*er made use of in
*ood com)an'" E%en the $ord adu+ter' is ne%er
)ronounced" We do not no$ sa'( #0adame +a
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Duchesse +i%es in adu+ter' $ith 0onsieur +e Che%a7
+ier 0adame +a 0arJuise has a crimina+ intimac'
$ith 0onsieur IAeH# ut $e sa'( #0onsieur
I Ae is this $ee= the +o%er of 0adame +a 0ar7
Juise"# When +adies ta+= of their adu+teries to their
fema+e friends( the' sa'( #I confess I ha%e some in7
c+ination for him# The' used former+' to confess
that the' fe+t some esteem( ut since the time $hen
a certain citi1ens $ife accused herse+f to her con7
@9 Phi+oso)hica+
fessor of ha%in* esteem for a counse++or( and the
confessor inJuired as to the numer of )roofs of
esteem aorded( +adies of Jua+it' ha%e esteemed no
one and *one ut +itt+e to confession"
The $omen of Lacedaemon( $e are to+d( =ne$
neither confession nor adu+ter'" It is true that 0ene7
+aus had e>)erienced the intractai+it' of &e+en( ut
L'cur*us set a++ ri*ht ' ma=in* the $omen com7
mon( $hen the husands $ere $i++in* to +end them
and the $i%es consented" E%er' one mi*ht dis)ose
of his o$n" In this case a husand had not to a))re7
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hend that he shou+d foster in his house the os)rin*
of a stran*er H a++ chi+dren e+on*ed to the re)u+ic(
and not to an' )articu+ar fami+'( so that no one $as
inMured" Adu+ter' is an e%i+ on+' inasmuch as it is
a theft H ut $e do not stea+ that $hich is *i%en to
us" The Lacedaemonians( therefore( had *ood
reason for sa'in* that adu+ter' $as im)ossi+e
amon* them" It is other$ise in our modern nations(
$here e%er' +a$ is founded on the )rinci)+e of
meum and tuum"
It is the *reatest $ron*( the *reatest inMur'( to
*i%e a )oor fe++o$ chi+dren $hich do not e+on* to
him and +a' u)on him a urden $hich he ou*ht not
to ear" Races of heroes ha%e thus een utter+' as7
tardi1ed" The $i%es of the Asto+)hos and the .o7
condas( throu*h a de)ra%ed a))etite( a momentar'
$ea=ness( ha%e ecome )re*nant ' some deformed
d$arf some +itt+e )a*e( de%oid a+i=e of heart and
mind( and oth the odies and sou+s of the os)rin*
Dictionar'" @;
ha%e orne testimon' to the fact" In some countries
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of Euro)e the heirs to the *reatest names are +itt+e
insi*nicant a)es( $ho ha%e in their ha++s the )or7
traits of their )retended fathers( si> feet hi*h( hand7
some( $e++7made( and carr'in* a roads$ord $hich
their successors of the )resent da' $ou+d scarce+' e
a+e to +ift" Im)ortant oces are thus he+d ' men
$ho ha%e no ri*ht to them( and $hose hearts( heads(
and arms are uneJua+ to the urden"
In some )ro%inces of Euro)e the *ir+s ma=e +o%e(
$ithout their after$ards ecomin* +ess )rudent
$i%es" In France it is Juite the contrar' H the *ir+s
are shut u) in con%ents( $here( hitherto( the' ha%e
recei%ed a most ridicu+ous education" Their
mothers( in order to conso+e them( teach them to +oo=
for +iert' in marria*e" Scarce+' ha%e the' +i%ed a
'ear $ith their husands $hen the' ecome im)a7
tient to ascertain the force of their attractions" A
'oun* $ife neither sits( nor eats( nor $a+=s( nor
*oes to the )+a'( ut in com)an' $ith $omen $ho
ha%e each their re*u+ar intri*ue" If she has not her
+o%er +i=e the rest( she is to e un)airedH and
ashamed of ein* so( she is afraid to sho$ herse+f"
The Orienta+s )roceed Juite in another $a'"
ir+s are rou*ht to them and $arranted %ir*ins on
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the $ords of a Circassian" The' marr' them and
shut them u) as a measure of )recaution( as $e shut
u) our maids" No Mo=es there u)on +adies and their
husands no son*s nothin* resem+in* our Juod7
+iets aout horns and cuc=o+dom We )it' the
9o Phi+oso)hica+
*reat +adies of Tur=e'( Persia and IndiaH ut the'
are a thousand times ha))ier in their sera*+ios than
our 'oun* $omen in their con%ents"
It sometimes ha))ens amon* us that a dissatised
husand( not choosin* to institute a crimina+ )roc7
ess a*ainst his $ife for adu+ter'( $hich $ou+d su7
Mect him to the im)utation of ararit'( contents
himse+f $ith otainin* a se)aration of )erson and
)ro)ert'" And here $e must insert an astract of a
memoria+( dra$n u) ' a *ood man $ho nds him7
se+f in this situation" These are his com)+aints H are
the' Must or not
A memoria+( $ritten ' a ma*istrate( aout the 'ear
:@BG"
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A )rinci)a+ ma*istrate of a to$n in France is so
unfortunate as to ha%e a $ife $ho $as deauched
' a )riest efore her marria*e( and has since
rou*ht herse+f to )u+ic shameH he has( ho$e%er(
contented himse+f $ith a )ri%ate se)aration" This
man( $ho is fort' 'ears o+d( hea+th'( and of a )+eas7
in* *ure( has need of $omans societ'" &e is too
scru)u+ous to see= to seduce the $ife of another H he
e%en fears to contract an i++icit intimac' $ith a maid
or a $ido$" In this state of sorro$ and )er)+e>it'
he addresses the fo++o$in* com)+aints to the Church(
of $hich he is a memer -
#0' $ife is crimina+( and I suer the )unish7
ment" A $oman is necessar' to the comfort of m'
+ife na'( e%en to the )reser%ation of m' %irtueH
'et she is refused me ' the Church( $hich forids
Dictionar'" 9 :
me to marr' an honest $oman" The ci%i+ +a$ of
the )resent da'( $hich is( unha))i+'( founded on the
canon +a$( de)ri%es me of the ri*hts of humanit'"
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The Church com)e+s me to see= either )+easures
$hich it re)roates( or shamefu+ conso+ations $hich
it condemns H it forces me to e crimina+"
#If I +oo= round amon* the nations of the earth( I
see no re+i*ion e>ce)t the Roman Catho+ic $hich
does not reco*ni1e di%orce and second marria*e as
a natura+ ri*ht" What in%ersion of order( then( has
made it a %irtue in Catho+ics to suer adu+ter' and
a dut' to +i%e $ithout $i%es $hen their $i%es ha%e
thus shamefu++' inMured them Wh' is a can=ered
tie indisso+u+e( not$ithstandin* the *reat ma>im
ado)ted ' the code( 6uicJuid +i*atur disso+ui+e
estf A se)aration of )erson and )ro)ert' is *ranted
me( ut not a di%orce" The +a$ ta=es from me m'
$ife( and +ea%es me the $ord sacrament I no +on*er
enMo' matrimon'( ut sti++ I am married What
contradiction What s+a%er'
#Nor is it +ess stran*e that this +a$ of the Church
is direct+' contrar' to the $ords $hich it e+ie%es
to ha%e een )ronounced ' .esus Christ - Whoso7
e%er sha++ )ut a$a' his $ife( e>ce)t it e for forni7
cation( and sha++ marr' another( committeth
adu+ter'"
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#I ha%e no $ish here to inJuire $hether the )on7
tis of Rome ha%e a ri*ht to %io+ate at )+easure the
+a$ of &im $hom the' re*ard as their 0asterH
$hether $hen a =in*dom $ants an heir( it is a++o$7
9? Phi+oso)hica+
a+e to re)udiate the $oman $ho is inca)a+e of
*i%in* oneH nor $hether a turu+ent $ife( one at7
tac=ed ' +unac'( or one *ui+t' of murder( shou+d
not e di%orced as $e++ as an adu+teress H I conne
m'se+f to $hat concerns m' o$n sad situation" od
)ermits me to marr' a*ain( ut the isho) of Rome
forids me"
#Di%orce $as customar' amon* Catho+ics under
a++ the em)erors( as $e++ as in a++ the disMointed mem7
ers of the Roman Em)ire" A+most a++ those =in*s
of France $ho are ca++ed of the rst race( re)udiated
their $i%es and too= fresh ones" At +en*th came one
re*or' I8"( an enem' to em)erors and =in*s( $ho(
' a decree( made the onds of marria*e indisso+u7
+eH and his decreta+ ecame the +a$ of Euro)e"
&ence( $hen a =in* $ished to re)udiate an adu+ter7
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ous $ife( accordin* to the +a$ of .esus Christ( he
cou+d not do so $ithout see=in* some ridicu+ous )re7
te>t" St" Louis $as o+i*ed( in order to eect his
unfortunate di%orce from E+eanora of uienne( to
a++e*e a re+ationshi) $hich did not e>ist H and &enr'
IV"( to re)udiate 0ar*aret of Va+ois( rou*ht for7
$ard a sti++ more unfounded )retence a $ant of
consent" Thus a +a$fu+ di%orce $as to e otained
' fa+sehood"
#What ma' a so%erei*n adicate his cro$n( and
sha++ he not $ithout the )o)es )ermission adicate
his faith+ess $ife And is it )ossi+e that men( en7
+i*htened in other thin*s( ha%e so +on* sumitted to
this asurd and aMect s+a%er'
Dictionar'" 93
#Let our )riests and our mon=s astain from
$omen( if it must e so H the' ha%e m' consent" It
is detrimenta+ to the )ro*ress of )o)u+ation and a
misfortune for them H ut the' deser%e that misfor7
tune $hich the' ha%e contri%ed for themse+%es"
The' are the %ictims of the )o)es( $ho in them $ish
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to )ossess s+a%es so+diers $ithout fami+' or coun7
tr'( +i%in* for the ChurchH ut I( a ma*istrate( $ho
ser%e the state the $ho+e da' +on*( ha%e occasion for
a $oman at ni*ht H and the Church has no ri*ht to
de)ri%e me of a )ossession a++o$ed me ' the Deit'"
The a)ost+es $ere married( .ose)h $as married(
and I $ish to e married" If I( an A+satian( am de7
)endent on a )riest $ho +i%es at Rome and has the
ararous )o$er to de)ri%e me of a $ife( he ma' as
$e++ ma=e me a eunuch to sin* 0iserere in his
cha)e+"#
A P+ea for Wi%es"
EJuit' reJuires that( after *i%in* this memoria+
in fa%or of husands( $e shou+d a+so +a' efore the
)u+ic the )+ea on eha+f of $i%es( )resented to the
Munta of Portu*a+( ' one Countess DArcira" It is
in sustance as fo++o$s -
#The *os)e+ has foridden adu+ter' to m' hus7
and as $e++ as to me H $e sha++ e damned a+i=e H
nothin* is more certain" A+thou*h he has een
*ui+t' of ft' inde+ities thou*h he has *i%en m'
nec=+ace to one of m' ri%a+s( and m' earrin*s to an7
other( I ha%e not ca++ed u)on the Mud*es to order his
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head to e sha%ed( himse+f to e shut u) $ith mon=s(
9G Phi+oso)hica+
and his )ro)ert' to e *i%en to me H 'et I( for ha%in*
ut once imitated him for ha%in* done that $ith
the handsomest 'oun* man in Lison( $hich he is
a++o$ed to do e%er' da' $ith the home+iest and
most stu)id creatures of the court and the cit'( must
e )+aced on a stoo+ to ans$er the Juestions of a set
of +icentiates( e%er' one of $hom $ou+d e at m'
feet $ere he a+one $ith me in m' c+osetH must
ha%e the nest hair in the $or+d cut from m' head H
e conned $ith nuns $ho ha%e not common sense H
e de)ri%ed of m' )ortion and marria*e sett+ement(
and see m' )ro)ert' *i%en to m' foo+ of a husand
to assist him in seducin* other $omen and commit7
tin* fresh adu+teries" I as= if the thin* is Must if it
is not e%ident that the cuc=o+ds are the +a$ma=ers
#The ans$er to m' com)+aint is that I am ut too
fortunate in not ein* stoned at the cit' *ate ' the
canons and the )eo)+e( as $as the custom $ith the
rst nation of the earth the cherished nation the
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chosen )eo)+e the on+' one $hich $as ri*ht $hen
a++ others $ere $ron*"
#To these ararians I re)+' that $hen the )oor
$oman( ta=en in adu+ter'( $as )resented to her ac7
cusers ' the 0aster of the O+d and of the Ne$
La$( he did not order her to e stoned H on the con7
trar'( he re)roached their inMustice( tracin* on the
sand $ith his n*er the o+d &ere$ )ro%er - Let
him $ho is $ithout sin cast the rst stone" A++ then
retired( the o+dest ein* the rst to de)art( since the
Dictionar'" 9
*reater their a*e the more adu+teries the' had com7
mitted"
#The doctors of the canon +a$ te++ me that this
stor' of the $oman ta=en in adu+ter' is re+ated on+'
in the os)e+ of St" .ohn( and that there it is nothin*
more than an inter)o+ation H that Leontius and 0a+7
donat arm that it is to e found in ut one ancient
ree= co)'H that not one of the rst t$ent'7three
commentators has s)o=en of it H that neither Ori*en
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seJuent+'( I o$e him e%er'thin* and he o$es me
nothin*" !ut I as= if 6ueen Anne( of En*+and( is
not the head of her husand if the Prince of Den7
mar=( $ho is her hi*h admira+( does not o$e her an
entire oedience and if she $ou+d not ha%e him
condemned ' the &ouse of Peers shou+d the +itt+e
man )ro%e unfaithfu+ It is c+ear that( if $omen
ha%e not their husands )unished( it is $hen the'
are not the stron*est"#
Conc+usion of the Cha)ter on Adu+ter'"
In order to otain an eJuita+e %erdict in an action
for adu+ter'( the Mur' shou+d e com)osed of t$e+%e
men and t$e+%e $omen( $ith an herma)hrodite to
*i%e the castin* %ote in the e%ent of necessit'" !ut
sin*u+ar cases ma' e>ist $herein rai++er' is ina))+i7
ca+e( and of $hich it is not for us to Mud*e" Such
is the ad%enture re+ated ' St" Au*ustine in his
sermon on Christs )reachin* on the 0ount"
Se)timius Ac'ndicus( )roconsu+ of S'ria( caused
a Christian of Antioch $ho $as una+e to )a' the
treasur' a )ound of *o+d the amount to $hich he
$as ta>edQ( to e thro$n into )rison and threatened
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$ith death" A $ea+th' man )romised the unfortu7
nate )risoners $ife to furnish her $ith the )ound
it she $ou+d consent to his desires" The $ife has7
tened to inform her husand( $ho e**ed that she
$ou+d sa%e his +ife at the e>)ense of his ri*hts( $hich
he $as $i++in* to *i%e u)" She oe'ed( ut the man
$ho o$ed her the *o+d decei%ed her ' *i%in* her
Dictionar'" 9@
a sac=fu+ of earth" The husand( ein* sti++ una+e
to )a' the ta>( $as aout to e +ed to the scao+d(
ut this infamous transaction ha%in* come to the ears
of the )roconsu+ he )aid the )ound of *o+d from his
o$n coers and *a%e to the Christian cou)+e the
estate from $hich the sac=fu+ of earth had een
ta=en"
It is certain that far from inMurin* her husand
the $ife( in this instance( acted conforma+' to his
$i++( not on+' oe'in* him( ut a+so sa%in* his +ife"
St" Au*ustine does not %enture to decide on the *ui+t
or %irtue of this action H he is afraid to condemn it"
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It is( in m' o)inion( %er' sin*u+ar that !a'+e
shou+d )retend to e more se%ere than St" Au*ustine"
&e o+d+' condemns the )oor $oman" This $ou+d
e inconcei%a+e did $e not =no$ ho$ much a+most
e%er' $riter has suered his )en to e+ie his heart
$ith $hat faci+it' his o$n fee+in*s ha%e een sacri7
ced to the fear of enra*in* some e%i+7dis)osed )ed7
ant in a $ord( ho$ inconsistent he has een $ith
himse+f"
A Fathers Reection"
A $ord on the contradictor' education $hich $e
esto$ u)on our dau*hters" We incu+cate an im7
moderate desire of )+easin* H $e dictate $hen nature
does enou*h $ithout us( and add to her +essons
e%er' renement of art" When the' are )erfect+'
trained $e )unish them if the' )ut in )ractice the
%er' arts $hich $e ha%e een so an>ious to teach
What shou+d $e thin= of a dancin* master $ho(
99 Phi+oso)hica+
ha%in* tau*ht a )u)i+ for ten 'ears( $ou+d rea= his
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+e* ecause he had found him dancin* $ith other
)eo)+e
0i*ht not this )ara*ra)h e added "to the cha)ter
of contradictions
AFFIR0ATION OR OAT&"
WE sha++ not sa' an'thin* of the armations so
freJuent+' made use of ' the +earned" To arm(
to decide( is )ermissi+e on+' in *eometr'" In e%er'7
thin* e+se +et us imitate the Doctor 0eta)hrastes of
0o+iere it ma' e soH the thin* is feasi+eH it is
not im)ossi+eH $e sha++ see" Let us ado)t Rae7
+ais )erha)s( 0ontai*nes $hat =no$ I the Roman
non +iJuet( or the dout of the Athenian academ'-
ut on+' in )rofane matters( e it understood( for in
sacred thin*s( $e are $e++ a$are that doutin* is
not )ermitted"
The )rimiti%es( in En*+and ca++ed 6ua=ers( are
a++o$ed to *i%e testimon' in a court of Mustice on
their sim)+e armation( $ithout ta=in* an oath" The
)eers of the rea+m ha%e the same )ri%i+e*e the +a'
)eers armin* on their honor( and the isho)s +a'7
in* their hands on their hearts" The 6ua=ers o7
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tained it in the rei*n of Char+es II"( and are the on+'
sect in Euro)e so honored"
The Lord Chance++or Co$)er $ished to com)e+
the 6ua=ers to s$ear +i=e other citi1ens" &e $ho
$as then at their head said to him *ra%e+' - #Friend
Dictionar'" 9;
Chance++or( thou ou*htest to =no$ that our Lord and
Sa%iour .esus Christ hath foridden us to arm
other$ise than ' 'ea or na'( he hath e>)ress+' said -
forid thee to s$ear ' hea%en( ecause it is the
throne of odH ' the earth( ecause it is his foot7
stoo+H ' .erusa+em( ecause it is the cit' of the
Kin* of =in*sH or ' th' head( ecause thou canst
not chan*e the co+or of a sin*+e hair" This( friend(
is )ositi%e( and $e $i++ not disoe' od to )+ease
thee and th' )ar+iament"# #It is im)ossi+e to ar*ue
etter(# re)+ied the Chance++orH #ut e it =no$n to
thee that .u)iter one da' ordered a++ easts of ur7
den to *et shod - horses( mu+es( and e%en came+s( in7
stant+' oe'ed( the asses a+one resistedH the' made
so man' re)resentations( and ra'ed so +on* that
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.u)iter( $ho $as *ood7natured( at +ast said to them(
Asses( I *rant 'our )ra'er H 'ou sha++ not e shod H
ut the rst s+i) 'ou ma=e 'ou sha++ ha%e a most
sound cud*e++in*" #
It must e *ranted that( hitherto( the 6ua=ers
ha%e made no s+i)s"
AAR( OR &AAR"
W&EN a man )uts a$a' his mistress his friend
the )artner of his ed( he must either ma=e her con7
dition to+era+' comforta+e or e re*arded amon*
us as a man of ad heart"
We are to+d that Araham $as %er' rich in the
desert of erar( a+thou*h he did not )ossess an inch
oo Phi+oso)hica+
of +and" &o$e%er( $e =no$ $ith the *reatest cer7
taint' that he defeated the armies of four *reat
=in*s $ith three hundred and ei*hteen she)herds"
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&e shou+d( then( at +east ha%e *i%en a sma++ oc=
to his mistress A*ar( $hen he sent her a$a' in the
desert" I s)ea= a+$a's accordin* to $or+d+' notions(
a+$a's re%erencin* those incom)rehensi+e $a's
$hich are not our $a's"
$ou+d ha%e *i%en m' o+d com)anion A*ar a
fe$ shee)( a fe$ *oats( a fe$ suits of c+othes for
herse+f and our son Ishmae+( a *ood she7ass for the
mother and a )rett' foa+ for the chi+d( a came+ to
carr' their a**a*e( and at +east t$o men to attend
them and )re%ent them from ein* de%oured '
$o+%es"
!ut $hen the Father of the Faithfu+ e>)osed his
)oor mistress and her chi+d in the desert he *a%e
them on+' a +oaf and a )itcher of $ater" Some im7
)ious )ersons ha%e asserted that Araham $as not
a %er' tender father that he $ished to ma=e his
astard son die of hun*er( and to cut his +e*itimate
sons throat !ut a*ain +et it e rememered that
these $a's $ere not our $a's"
It is said that )oor A*ar $ent a$a' into the
desert of !eer7shea" There $as no desert of !eer7
sheaH this name $as not =no$n unti+ +on* afterH
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ut this is a mere trie H the foundation of the stor'
is not the +ess authentic" It is true that the )os7
terit' of A*ars son Ishmae+ too= am)+e re%en*e
on the )osterit' of Sarahs son Isaac( in fa%or of
Dictionar'" ; :
$hom he had een cast out" The Saracens( de7
scendin* in a ri*ht +ine from Ishmae+( made them7
se+%es masters of .erusa+em( $hich e+on*ed ' ri*ht
of conJuest to the )osterit' of Isaac" I $ou+d ha%e
made the Saracens descend from SarahH the et'7
mo+o*' $ou+d then ha%e een neater"
It has een asserted that the $ord Saracen comes
from sarac( a roer" I do not e+ie%e an' )eo)+e
ha%e e%er ca++ed themse+%es roersH near+' a++ ha%e
een roers( ut it is not usua+ for them to ta=e the
tit+e" Saracen descendin* from Sarah( a))ears to
me to sound etter"
ALC&E04"
T&E em)hatic a+ )+aces the a+chemist as much
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ao%e the ordinar' chemist as the *o+d $hich he
otains is su)erior to other meta+s" erman' sti++
s$arms $ith )eo)+e $ho see= the )hi+oso)hers
stone( as the i%ater of immorta+it' has een sou*ht
in China( and the fountain of 'outh in Euro)e" In
France some ha%e een =no$n to ruin themse+%es
in this )ursuit"
The numer of those $ho ha%e e+ie%ed in trans7
mutations is )rodi*ious( and the numer of cheats
has een in )ro)ortion to that of the credu+ous" At
Paris $e ha%e seen Si*nor Dammi( 0arJuis of Con7
%enti*+io( otain some hundred +ouis from se%era+
of the noi+it' that he mi*ht ma=e them *o+d to the
amount of t$o or three cro$ns" The est tric= that
has e%er een )erformed in a+chem' $as that of a
)i Phi+oso)hica+
Rosicrucian( $ho( in :B?<( $ent to &enr'( Du=e
of !oui++on( of the house of Turenne( So%erei*n
Prince of Sedan( and addressed him as fo++o$s -
#4ou ha%e not a so%erei*nt' )ro)ortioned to 'our
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*reat coura*e( ut I $i++ ma=e 'ou richer than the
em)eror" I cannot remain for more than t$o da's
in 'our states( ha%in* to *o to Venice to ho+d the
*rand assem+' of the rethren H I on+' char*e 'ou
to =ee) the secret" Send to the rst a)othecar' of
'our to$n for some +ithar*eH thro$ into it one
*rain of the red )o$der $hich I $i++ *i%e 'ou( )ut
the $ho+e into a cruci+e and in a Juarter of an hour
'ou $i++ ha%e *o+d"#
The )rince )erformed the o)eration( and re)eated
it three times( in )resence of the %irtuoso" This man
had )re%ious+' ou*ht u) a++ the +ithar*e from the
a)othecaries of Sedan and *ot it reso+d after mi>in*
it $ith a fe$ ounces of *o+d" The ade)t( on ta=in*
+ea%e( made the Du=e of !oui++on a )resent of a++
his transmutin* )o$der"
The )rince( ha%in* made three ounces of *o+d
$ith three *rains( douted not that $ith three hun7
dred thousand *rains he shou+d ma=e three hundred
thousand ounces( and that he shou+d in a $ee= )os7
sess ei*hteen thousand( se%en hundred and ft'
)ounds of *o+d( esides $hat he shou+d after$ards
ma=e" It too= at +east three months to ma=e this
)o$der" The )hi+oso)her $as in haste to de)artH
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he $as $ithout an'thin*( ha%in* *i%en a++ to the
)rince( and $anted some read' mone' in order to
Dictionar'" ;3
ho+d the states7*enera+ of hermetic )hi+oso)h'" &e
$as a man %er' moderate in his desires( and as=ed
on+' t$ent' thousand cro$ns for the e>)enses of his
Mourne'" The du=e( ashamed to *i%e so sma++ a sum(
)resented him $ith fort' thousand" When he had
consumed a++ the +ithar*e in Sedan he made no more
*o+d( nor e%er more sa$ his )hi+oso)her or his fort'
thousand cro$ns"
A++ )retended a+chemic transmutations ha%e een
)erformed near+' in the same manner" To chan*e
one natura+ )roduction into another( for e>am)+e(
iron into si+%er( is a rather dicu+t o)eration( since
it reJuires t$o thin*s a +itt+e ao%e our )o$er the
annihi+ation of the iron and creation of the si+%er"
We must not( ho$e%er( reMect a++ disco%eries of
secrets and a++ ne$ in%entions" It is $ith them as
$ith theatrica+ )ieces( there ma' e one *ood out of
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a thousand"
ALKORAN H
OR( 0ORE PROPERL4( T&E KORAN"
SECTION I"
T&IS oo= *o%erns $ith des)otic s$a' the $ho+e
of northern Africa( from 0ount At+as to the desert
of !arca( the $ho+e of E*')t( the coasts of the Ethio7
)ian Sea to the e>tent of si> hundred +ea*ues( S'ria(
Asia 0inor( a++ the countries round the !+ac= and
the Cas)ian seas e>ce)tin* the =in*dom of Astra7
=hanQ( the $ho+e em)ire of &indostan( a++ Persia( a
*reat )art of Tartar' H and in Euro)e( Thrace( 0ace7
;G Phi+oso)hica+
donia( !u+*aria( Ser%ia( !osnia( reece( E)irus( and
near+' a++ the is+ands as far as the +itt+e strait of
Otranto( $hich terminates these )ossessions"
In this )rodi*ious e>tent of countr' there is not
a sin*+e 0ahometan $ho has the ha))iness of read7
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in* our sacred oo=sH and %er' fe$ of our +iterati
are acJuainted $ith the Koran( of $hich $e a+7
$a's form a ridicu+ous idea( not$ithstandin* the
researches of our rea++' +earned men"
The rst +ines of this oo= are as fo++o$s - #Praise
to od( the so%erei*n of a++ $or+ds( to the od of
merc'( the so%erei*n of the da' of Mustice Thee
$e adore to Thee on+' do $e +oo= for )rotection"
Lead us in the ri*ht $a' in the $a' of those $hom
Thou hast +oaded $ith Th' *races( and not in the
$a' of the oMects of Th' $rath of them $ho ha%e
*one astra'"#
Such is the introduction" Then come three +et7
ters( A( L( 0( $hich( accordin* to the +earned Sa+e(
are not understood( for each commentator e>)+ains
them in his o$n $a' H ut the most common o)inion
is that the' si*nif' A++( Latif( 0a*id od( race(
+or'"
od himse+f then s)ea=s to 0ahomet in these
$ords - #This oo= admitteth not of dout" It is
for the direction of the Must( $ho e+ie%e in the
de)ths of the faith( $ho oser%e the times of )ra'er(
$ho distriute in a+ms $hat it has )+eased 0e to *i%e
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them( $ho e+ie%e in the re%e+ation $hich hath de7
scended to thee" and $as de+i%ered to the )ro)hets
0A&O0ET
Dictionar'" ;
efore thee" Let the faithfu+ ha%e a rm assurance
in the +ife to comeH +et them e directed ' their
LordH and the' sha++ e ha))'"
#As for une+ie%ers( it mattereth not $hether thou
ca++est them or no - the' do not e+ie%e H the sea+ of
une+ief is on their hearts and on their ears H a ter7
ri+e )unishment a$aiteth them" There are some
$ho sa'( We e+ie%e in od and in the Last Da'
ut in their hearts the' are une+ie%ers" The' thin=
to decei%e the Eterna+ H the' decei%e themse+%es $ith7
out =no$in* it" Inrmit' is in their hearts( and od
himse+f increaseth this inrmit'(# etc"
These $ords are said to ha%e incom)ara+' more
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ener*' in Araic" Indeed( the Koran sti++ )asses
for the most e+e*ant and most su+ime oo= that has
een $ritten in that +an*ua*e" We ha%e im)uted to
the Koran a *reat numer of foo+ish thin*s $hich
it ne%er contained" It $as chie' a*ainst the Tur=s(
$ho had ecome 0ahometans( that our mon=s $rote
so man' oo=s( at a time $hen no other o))osition
$as of much ser%ice a*ainsf the conJuerors of Con7
stantino)+e" Our authors( much more numerous than
the Manissaries( had no *reat dicu+t' in ran*in* our
$omen on their side H the' )ersuaded them that 0a7
homet +oo=ed u)on them mere+' as inte++i*ent ani7
ma+s H that( ' the +a$s of the Koran( the' $ere a++
s+a%es( ha%in* no )ro)ert' in this $or+d( nor an'
share in the )aradise of the ne>t" The fa+sehood of
a++ this is e%ident H 'et it has a++ een rm+' e+ie%ed"
It $as( ho$e%er( on+' necessar' in order to dis7
;B Phi+oso)hica+
co%er the dece)tion to ha%e read the fourth sura or
cha)ter of the Koran( in $hich $ou+d ha%e een
found the fo++o$in* +a$s( trans+ated in the same
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manner ' Du R'er( $ho resided for a +on* time at
Constantino)+e H ' 0aracci( $ho ne%er $ent there H
and ' Sa+e( $ho +i%ed t$ent'7%e 'ears amon* the
Aras -
0ahomets Re*u+ations uhth Res)ect to Wi%es"
I"
Ne%er marr' ido+atrous $omen( un+ess the' $i++
ecome e+ie%ers" A 0ussu+man ser%ant is etter
than an ido+atrous $oman( thou*h of the hi*hest
ran="
?"
The' $ho( ha%in* $i%es( $ish to ma=e a %o$ of
chastit'( sha++ $ait four months efore the' decide"
Wi%es sha++ conduct themse+%es to$ards their hus7
ands as their husands conduct themse+%es to$ards
them"
37
4ou ma' se)arate 'ourse+f from 'our $ife t$ice H
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ut if 'ou di%orce her a third time( it must e for7
e%er H 'ou must either =ee) her humane+' or )ut her
a$a' =ind+'" 4ou are not )ermitted to =ee) an'7
thin* from her that 'ou ha%e *i%en to her"
G7
ood $i%es are oedient and attenti%e( e%en in
the asence of their husands" If 'our $ife is )ru7
dent e carefu+ not to ha%e an' Juarre+ $ith herH
Dictionar'" ;@
ut if one shou+d ha))en( +et an ariter e chosen
from 'our o$n fami+'( and one from hers"
7
Ta=e one $ife( or t$o( or three( or four( ut ne%er
more" !ut if 'ou dout 'our ai+it' to act eJuita+'
to$ards se%era+( ta=e on+' one" i%e them a suita+e
do$r'( ta=e care of them( and s)ea= to them a+$a's
+i=e a friend"
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B"
4ou are not )ermitted to inherit from 'our $ife
a*ainst her $i++ H nor to )re%ent her from marr'in*
another after her di%orce( in order to )ossess 'our7
se+f of her do$er( un+ess she has een dec+ared *ui+t'
of some crime"
When 'ou choose to se)arate 'ourse+f from 'our
$ife and ta=e another( 'ou must not( thou*h 'ou
ha%e e%en *i%en her a ta+ent at 'our marria*e( ta=e
an'thin* from her"
@7
4ou are )ermitted to marr' a s+a%e( ut it is etter
that 'ou shou+d not do so"
9"
A re)udiated $ife is o+i*ed to suc=+e her chi+d
unti+ it is t$o 'ears o+d( durin* $hich time the father
is o+i*ed to maintain them accordin* to his con7
dition" If the infant is $eaned at an ear+ier )eriod(
it must e $ith the consent of oth father and
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mother" If 'ou are o+i*ed to entrust it to a stran*e
nurse( 'ou sha++ ma=e her a reasona+e a++o$ance"
Vo+" 7@
;9 Phi+oso)hica+
&ere( then( is sucient to reconci+e the $omen
to 0ahomet( $ho has not used them so hard+' as he
is said to ha%e done" We do not )retend to Mustif'
either his i*norance or his im)osture H ut $e cannot
condemn his doctrine of one on+' od( These $ords
of his I??d sura( #od is one( eterna+( neither e7
*ettin* nor e*otten H no one is +i=e to &im H# these
$ords had more eect than e%en his s$ord in su7
Mu*atin* the East"
Sti++ his Koran is a co++ection of ridicu+ous re%e7
+ations and %a*ue and incoherent )redictions( com7
ined $ith +a$s that $ere %er' *ood for the countr'
in $hich he +i%ed( and a++ $hich continue to e fo+7
+o$ed( $ithout ha%in* een chan*ed or $ea=ened(
either ' 0ahometan inter)reters or ' ne$ decrees"
The )oets of 0ecca $ere hosti+e to 0ahomet( ut
ao%e a++ the doctors" These raised the ma*istrac'
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a*ainst him( and a $arrant $as issued for his a)7
)rehension as on+' du+' accused and con%icted of
ha%in* said that od must e adored( and not the
stars" This( it is =no$n( $as the source of his *reat7
ness" When it $as seen that he cou+d not e )ut
do$n( and that his $ritin*s $ere ecomin* )o)u+ar(
it $as *i%en out in the cit' that he $as not the
author of them( or that at +east he $as assisted in their
com)osition ' a +earned .e$( and sometimes ' a
+earned Christian su))osin* that there $ere at that
time +earned .e$s and +earned Christians"
So( in our da's( more than one )re+ate has een
re)roached $ith ha%in* set mon=s to com)ose his
Dictionar'" ;;
sermons and funera+ orations" There $as one Father
&ercu+es Pere &ercu+eQ $ho made sermons for a
certain isho)( and $hen )eo)+e $ent to hear him
)reach( the' used to sa'( #Let us *o and hear the
+aors of &ercu+es"#
To this char*e 0ahomet *i%es an ans$er in his
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: Bth cha)ter( occasioned ' a *ross +under he had
made in the )u+)it( aout $hich a *reat dea+ had
een said" &e *ets out of the scra)e thus - #When
thou readest the Koran( address th'se+f to od(
that &e ma' )reser%e thee from the machinations
of Satan" &e has )o$er on+' o%er those $ho ha%e
chosen &im for their 0aster( and $ho *i%e asso7
ciates unto od"
#When I sustitute one %erse for another in the
Koran the reason for $hich chan*es is =no$n to
odQ some une+ie%ers cr' out( Thou hast for*ed
those %erses H ut the' =no$ not ho$ to distin*uish
truth from fa+sehood" Sa' rather that the &o+'
S)irit rou*ht those %erses of truth to me from od"
Others sa'( sti++ more ma+i*nant+'( There is a certain
man $ho +aors $ith him in com)osin* the Koran"
!ut ho$ can this man( to $hom the' attriute m'
$or=s( ha%e tau*ht me( s)ea=in* as he does( a for7
ei*n +an*ua*e( $hi+e the Koran is $ritten in the
)urest Araic #
&e $ho( it $as )retended( assisted 0ahomet( $as
a .e$ named !ensa+en or !ensa+on" It is not %er'
+i=e+' that a .e$ shou+d ha%e +ent his assistance to
0ahomet in $ritin* a*ainst the .e$s H 'et the thin*
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ioo Phi+oso)hica+
is not im)ossi+e" The mon= $ho $as said to ha%e
contriuted to the Koran $as ' some ca++ed !o7
haira( ' others Ser*ius" There is somethin* )+eas7
ant in this mon=s ha%in* had oth a Latin and an
Araic name" As for the ne theo+o*ica+ dis)utes
$hich ha%e arisen amon* the 0ussu+mans( I ha%e
no concern $ith themH I +ea%e them to the decision
of the mufti"
In #The Trium)h of the Cross# #Le Triom)he de
+a Croi>#Q the Koran is said to e Arian( Sae++ian(
Car)ocratian( Cardonician( 0anichaean( Donatistic(
Ori*enian( 0acedonian( and Eionitish" 0ahomet(
ho$e%er( $as nothin* of a++ this H he $as rather a
.ansenist( for the foundation of his doctrine is the
aso+ute de*ree of *ratuitous )redestination"
SECTION II"
This 0ahomet( son of Ada++ah( $as a o+d and
su+ime char+atan" &e sa's in his tenth cha)ter(
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#Who ut od can ha%e com)osed the Koran 0a7
homet( 'ou sa'( has for*ed this oo=" We++H tr'
then to $rite one cha)ter resem+in* it and ca++ to
'our aid $homsoe%er 'ou )+ease"# In the se%en7
teenth he e>c+aims( #Praise e to &im $ho in one
ni*ht trans)orted &is ser%ant from the sacred tem7
)+e of 0ecca to that of .erusa+em #
This $as a %er' ne Mourne'( ut nothin* +i=e
that $hich he too= the %er' same ni*ht from )+anet
to )+anet" &e )retended that it $as %e hundred
'ears Mourne' from one to another( and that he c+eft
Dictionar'" :<:
the moon in t$ain" &is disci)+es $ho( after his
death( co++ected( in a so+emn manner( the %erses of
this Koran( su))ressed this ce+estia+ Mourne'( for
the' dreaded rai++er' and )hi+oso)h'" After a++( the'
had too much de+icac'H the' mi*ht ha%e trusted to
the commentators( $ho $ou+d ha%e found no di7
cu+t' $hate%er in e>)+ainin* the itinerar'" 0a7
homets friends shou+d ha%e =no$n ' e>)erience
that the mar%e++ous is the reason of the mu+titude H
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the $ise contradict in si+ence( $hich the mu+titude
)re%ent them from rea=in*" !ut $hi+e the itin7
erar' of the )+anets $as su))ressed( a fe$ $ords
$ere retained aout the ad%enture of the moon"
One cannot e a+$a's on ones *uard"
The Koran is a rha)sod'( $ithout connection(
$ithout order( and $ithout art" This tedious oo=
is( ne%erthe+ess( said to e a %er' ne )roduction(
at +east ' the Aras( $ho assert that it is $ritten
$ith an e+e*ance and )urit' that no +ater $or= has
eJua++ed" It is a )oem( or sort of rh'med )rose( con7
sistin* of three thousand %erses" No )oem e%er ad7
%anced the fortune of its author so much as the
Koran" It $as dis)uted amon* the 0ussu+mans
$hether it $as eterna+ or od had created it in
order to dictate it to 0ahomet" The doctors decided
that it $as eterna+( and the' $ere ri*ht H this eternit'
is a much ner o)inion than the other( for $ith the
%u+*ar $e must a+$a's ado)t that $hich is the most
incredi+e"
The mon=s $ho ha%e attac=ed 0ahomet( and
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Phi+oso)hica+
said so man' si++' thin*s aout him( ha%e asserted
that he cou+d not $rite" !ut ho$ can $e ima*ine
that a man $ho had een a merchant( a )oet( a +e*is7
+ator( and a so%erei*n( did not =no$ ho$ to si*n his
name If his oo= is ad for our times and for us(
it $as %er' *ood for his contem)oraries( and his re7
+i*ion $as sti++ etter" It must e ac=no$+ed*ed that
he rec+aimed near+' the $ho+e of Asia from ido+atr'"
&e tau*ht the unit' of od( and forci+' dec+aimed
a*ainst a++ those $ho *a%e him associates" &e for7
ade usur' $ith forei*ners( and commanded the *i%7
in* of a+ms" With him )ra'er $as a thin* of aso7
+ute necessit'( and resi*nation to the eterna+ decrees
the )rimum moi+e of a++" A re+i*ion so sim)+e and
so $ise( tau*ht ' one $ho $as constant+' %ictorious(
cou+d hard+' fai+ to suMu*ate a )ortion of the earth"
Indeed the 0ussu+mans ha%e made as man' )rose7
+'tes ' their creed as ' their s$ords H the' ha%e con7
%erted the Indians and the ne*roes to their re+i*ion H
e%en the Tur=s( $ho conJuered them( sumitted to
Is+amism"
0ahomet a++o$ed man' thin*s to remain in his
+a$ $hich he had found esta+ished amon* the Aras
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as circumcision( fastin*( the )i+*rima*e to 0ecca(
$hich $as instituted four thousand 'ears efore his
time H a+utions( so necessar' to hea+th and c+ean+iness
in a urnin* countr'( $here +inen $as un=no$n H and
the idea of a +ast Mud*ment( $hich the ma*i had a+7
$a's incu+cated( and $hich had reached the inhait7
ants of Araia" It is said that on his announcin* that
Dictionar'" :<3
$e shou+d rise a*ain Juite na=ed( his $ife( Aishca(
e>)ressed her o)inion that the thin* $ou+d e im7
modest and dan*erous" #Do not e a+armed( m'
dear(# said he( #no one $i++ then fee+ an' inc+ination
to +au*h"# Accordin* to the Koran( an an*e+ $i++
$ei*h oth men and $omen in a *reat a+ance H this
idea( too( is ta=en from the ma*i" &e a+so sto+e frc7m
them their narro$ rid*e $hich must e )assed o%er
after deathH and their e+'sium( $here the 0ussuQ7
mans e+ect $i++ nd aths( $e++7furnished a)artments
*ood eds( and houris $ith *reat +ac= e'es" &f
does( it is true( sa' that a++ these )+easures of the
senses( so necessar' to those that are to rise a*ain
$ith senses( $i++ e nothin* in com)arison $ith the
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)+easure of contem)+atin* the Su)reme !ein*" &e
has the humi+it' to confess that he himse+f $i++ not
enter )aradise throu*h his o$n merits( ut )ure+' '
the $i++ of od" Throu*h this same )ure Di%ine $i++
he orders that a fth )art of the s)oi+ sha++ a+$a's e
reser%ed for the )ro)het"
It is not true that he e>c+udes $omen from )ara7
dise" It is hard+' +i=e+' that so a+e a man shou+d
ha%e chosen to emroi+ himse+f $ith that ha+f of the
human race ' $hich the other ha+f is +ed" Au+feda
re+ates that an o+d +ad' one da' im)ortuned him to
te++ her $hat she must do to *et into )aradise" #0'
*ood +ad'(# said he( #)aradise is not for o+d $omen"#
The *ood $oman e*an to $ee)( ut the )ro)het
conso+ed her ' sa'in*( #There $i++ e no o+d $omen
ecause the' $i++ ecome 'oun* a*ain"# This con7
IOG Phi+oso)hica+
so+ator' doctrine is conrmed in the ft'7fourth
cha)ter of the Koran"
&e forade $ine ecause some of his fo++o$ers
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once $ent into>icated to )ra'ers" &e )ermitted a
)+ura+it' of $i%es( conformin* in this )oint to the
immemoria+ usa*e of the orienta+s"
In short( his ci%i+ +a$s are *ood H his doctrine is
admira+e in a++ $hich it has in common $ith ours H
ut his means are shoc=in* %i++ain' and murder
&e is e>cused ' some( on the rst of these
char*es( ecause( sa' the'( the Aras had a hundred
and t$ent'7four thousand )ro)hets efore him( and
there cou+d e no *reat harm in the a))earance of one
more H men( it is added( reJuire to e decei%ed" !ut
ho$ are $e to Mustif' a man $ho sa's( #!e+ie%e that
I ha%e con%ersed $ith the an*e+ arie+(( or )a' me
triute#
&o$ su)erior is Confucius the rst of morta+s
$ho ha%e not een fa%ored $ith re%e+ations &e
em)+o's neither fa+sehood nor the s$ord( ut on+'
reason" The %icero' of a *reat )ro%ince( he causes
the +a$s to e oser%ed and mora+it' to ourish H
dis*raced and )oor( he teaches them" &e )ractises
them a+i=e in *reatness and in humi+iation H he ren7
ders %irtue amia+eH and has for his disci)+es the
most ancient and $isest )eo)+e on the earth"
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In %ain does Count de !ou+ain%i++iers( $ho had
some res)ect for 0ahomet( e>to+ the Aras" Not7
$ithstandin* a++ his oastin*s( the' $ere a nation of
anditti" The' roed efore 0ahomet( $hen the'
Dictionar'" :<
adored the stars H the' roed under 0ahomet in the
name of od" The' had( sa' 'ou( the sim)+icit' of
the heroic a*es H ut $hat $ere these heroic a*es
times $hen men cut one anothers throats for a $e++
or a cistern( as the' no$ do for a )ro%ince
The rst 0ussu+mans $ere animated ' 0ahomet
$ith the ra*e of enthusiasm" Nothin* is more ter7
ri+e than a )eo)+e $ho( ha%in* nothin* to +ose( *ht
in the united s)irit of ra)ine and of re+i*ion"
It is true there $as not much art in their )roceed7
in*s" The contract of marria*e et$een 0ahomet
and his rst $ife e>)resses that( $hi+e Cadisha +o%es
him( and he in +i=e manner +o%es Cadisha( it is
thou*ht meet to Moin them" !ut is there the same
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sim)+icit' in ha%in* com)osed a *enea+o*' $hich
ma=es him descend in a ri*ht +ine from Adam( as
se%era+ S)anish and Scotch fami+ies ha%e een made
to descend
The *reat )ro)het e>)erienced the dis*race com7
mon to so man' husands( after $hich no one shou+d
com)+ain" The name of him $ho recei%ed the fa%ors
of his second $ife $as Assam" The eha%ior of
0ahomet( on this occasion( $as e%en more +oft' than
that of Caesar( $ho )ut a$a' his $ife( sa'in*( #The
$ife of Caesar ou*ht not to e sus)ected"# The
)ro)het $ou+d not sus)ect his" &e sent to hea%en
for a cha)ter of the Koran( armin* that his $ife
$as faithfu+" This cha)ter( +i=e a++ the others( had
een $ritten from a++ eternit'"
&e is admired for ha%in* raised himse+f from
ioB Phi+oso)hica+
ein* a came+7dri%er to e a )onti( a +e*is+ator( and
a monarchH for ha%in* sudued Araia( $hich had
ne%er efore een suMu*ated H for ha%in* *i%en the
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rst shoc= to the Roman Em)ire in the East( and to
that of the Persians H and admire him sti++ more for
ha%in* =e)t )eace in his house amon* his $i%es" &e
chan*ed the face of )art of Euro)e( one ha+f of Asia(
and near+' a++ Africa H nor $as his re+i*ion un+i=e+'(
at one time( to suMu*ate the $ho+e earth" On ho$
tri%ia+ a circumstance $i++ re%o+utions sometimes de7
)end A +o$ from a stone( a +itt+e harder than that
$hich he recei%ed in his rst att+e( mi*ht ha%e
chan*ed the destin' of the $or+d
&is son7in7+a$ A+i asserted that $hen the )ro)het
$as aout to e inhumed( he $as found in a
situation not %er' common to the dead" The $ords
of the Roman so%erei*n mi*ht e $e++ a))+ied in this
case - #Decet im)eratorem stantem mori"#
Ne%er $as the +ife of a man $ritten more in detai+
than his H the most minute )articu+ars $ere re*arded
as sacred" We ha%e the name and the numers of a++
that e+on*ed to him nine s$ords( three +ances(
three o$s( se%en cuirasses( three uc=+ers( t$e+%e
$i%es( one $hite coc=( se%en horses( t$o mu+es( and
four came+s( esides the mare !orac( on $hich he
$ent to hea%en" !ut this +ast he had on+' orro$ed H
at $as the )ro)ert' of the an*e+ arie+"
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A++ his sa'in*s ha%e een )reser%ed" One $as that
the enMo'ment of $omen made him more fer%ent in
Dictionar'" :<@
)ra'er" !esides a++ his other =no$+ed*e he is said
to ha%e een a *reat )h'sicianH so that he $anted
none of the Jua+ications for decei%in* man=ind"
ALE8ANDER"
IT is no +on*er a++o$a+e to s)ea= of A+e>ander(
e>ce)t in order to sa' somethin* ne$ of him( or to
destro' the fa+es( historica+( )h'sica+( and mora+(
$hich ha%e dis*ured the histor' of the on+' *reat
man to e found amon* the conJuerors of Asia"
After reectin* a +itt+e on the +ife of A+e>ander(
$ho( amid the into>ications of )+easure and con7
Juest( ui+t more to$ns than a++ the other conJuerors
of Asia destro'ed after ca++in* to mind that( 'oun*
as he $as( he turned the commerce of the $or+d into
a ne$ channe+( it a))ears %er' stran*e that !oi+eau
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shou+d ha%e s)o=en of him as a roer and a madman"
A+e>ander( ha%in* een e+ected at Corinth ca)tain7
*enera+ of reece( and commissioned as such to
a%en*e the in%asions of the Persians( did no more
than his dut' in destro'in* their em)ire H and( ha%in*
a+$a's united the *reatest ma*nanimit' $ith the
*reatest coura*e ha%in* res)ected the $ife and
dau*hters of Darius $hen in his )o$er( he did not
in an' $a' deser%e either to e conned as a madman
or han*ed as a roer"
Ro++in asserts that A+e>ander too= the famous cit'
of T're on+' to o+i*e the .e$s( $ho hated the
T'rians H it is( ho$e%er( Juite as +i=e+' that A+e>ander
io9 Phi+oso)hica+
had other reasons H for a na%a+ commander $ou+d not
+ea%e T're mistress of the sea( $hen he $as *oin* to
attac= E*')t" A+e>anders friendshi) and res)ect
for .erusa+em $ere undouted+' *reat H ut it shou+d
hard+' e said that the .e$s set a rare e>am)+e of
de+it' an e>am)+e $orth' of the on+' )eo)+e $ho(
at that time( had the =no$+ed*e of the true od( in
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refusin* to furnish A+e>ander $ith )ro%isions e7
cause the' had s$orn de+it' to Darius" It is $e++
=no$n that the .e$s too= e%er' o))ortunit' of re7
%o+tin* a*ainst their so%erei*ns H for a .e$ $as not
to ser%e a )rofane =in*" If the' im)rudent+' refused
contriutions to the conJueror( it $as not $ith a %ie$
to )ro%e themse+%es the faithfu+ s+a%es of Darius(
since their +a$ e>)ress+' ordered them to ho+d a++
ido+atrous nations in ahorrence H their oo=s are fu++
of e>ecrations )ronounced a*ainst them( and of
reiterated attem)ts to thro$ o their 'o=e" If( there7
fore( the' at rst refused the contriutions( it $as e7
cause their ri%a+s( the Samaritans( had )aid them
$ithout hesitation( and the' e+ie%ed that Darius(
thou*h %anJuished( $as sti++ )o$erfu+ enou*h to
su))ort .erusa+em a*ainst Samaria"
It is $ho++' fa+se that the .e$s $ere then the on+'
)eo)+e $ho had the =no$+ed*e of the true od( as
Ro++in te++s us" The Samaritans $orshi))ed the
same od( thou*h in another tem)+e H the' had the
same Pentateuch as the .e$s( and the' had it in
T'rian characters( $hich the .e$s had +ost" The
schism et$een Samaria and .erusa+em $as( on a
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Dictionar'" :<;
sma++ sca+e( $hat the schism et$een the ree= and
Latin churches is on a +ar*e one" The hatred $as
eJua+ on oth sides( ha%in* the same foundation
re+i*ion"
A+e>ander( ha%in* )ossessed himse+f of T're '
means of that famous cause$a' $hich is sti++ the ad7
miration of a++ *enera+s( $ent to )unish .erusa+em(
$hich +a' not far out of his $a'" The .e$s( headed
' their hi*h )riest( came and hum+ed themse+%es
efore him( oerin* him mone' for an*r' con7
Juerors are not to e a))eased $ithout mone'" A+e>7
ander $as a))eased( and the' remained suMect to
A+e>ander and to his successors" Such is the true( as
$e++ as the on+' )roa+e( histor' of the aair"
Ro++in re)eats a stor' to+d aout four hundred
'ears after A+e>anders e>)edition( ' that roman7
cin*( e>a**eratin* historian( F+a%ius .ose)hus( $ho
ma' e )ardoned for ha%in* ta=en e%er' o))ortunit'
of settin* o his $retched countr' to the est ad%an7
ta*e" Ro++in re)eats( after .ose)hus( that .addus(
the hi*h7)riest( ha%in* )rostrated himse+f efore
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A+e>ander( the )rince( seein* the name of .eho%ah
en*ra%ed on a )+ate of *o+d attached to .addus ca)(
and understandin* &ere$ )erfect+'( fe++ )rostrate
in his turn( and )aid homa*e to .addus" This e>cess
of ci%i+it' ha%in* astonished Parmenio( A+e>ander
to+d him that he had =no$n .addus a +on* time H that
he had a))eared to him( in the same hait and the
same ca)( ten 'ears efore( $hen he $as meditatin*
the conJuest of Asia a conJuest $hich he had not
: : o Phi+oso)hica+
then e%en thou*ht ofQ H that this same .addus had
e>horted him to cross the &e++es)ont( assurin* him
that od $ou+d march at the head of the ree=s( and
that the od of the .e$s $ou+d *i%e him the %ictor'
o%er the Persians" This o+d $omans ta+e ma=es ut
a sorr' *ure in the histor' of such a man as A+e>7
ander"
An ancient histor' $e++ di*ested $as an under7
ta=in* ca+cu+ated to e of *reat ser%ice to 'outh H it
is to e $ished that it had not een in some de*ree
marred ' the ado)tion of some asurdities" The
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stor' of .addus $ou+d e entit+ed to our res)ect it
$ou+d e e'ond the reach of animad%ersion $ere
e%en an' shado$ of it to e found in the sacred
$ritin*s H ut as the' do not ma=e the s+i*htest men7
tion of it( $e are Juite at +iert' to see that it is
ridicu+ous"
There can e no dout that A+e>ander sudued
that )art of India $hich +ies on this side the an*es
and $as triutar' to the Persians" 0r" &o+$e++( $ho
+i%ed for thirt' 'ears amon* the !rahmins of !enares
and the nei*horin* countries( and $ho +earned not
on+' their modern +an*ua*e ut a+so their ancient
sacred ton*ue( assures us that their anna+s attest the
in%asion ' A+e>ander( $hom the' ca++ 0ahadu=cit
Kounha *reat roer( *reat murderer" These
)eacefu+ )eo)+e cou+d not ca++ him other$ise H indeed(
it is hard+' to e su))osed that the' *a%e an' other
name to the =in*s of Persia" The same anna+s sa'
that A+e>ander entered ' the )ro%ince no$ ca++ed
Dictionar'" : : :
Candahar( and it is )roa+e that there $ere a+$a's
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some fortresses on that frontier"
A+e>ander after$ards descended the ri%er 5om7
odi)o( $hich the ree=s ca++ed Sind" In the histor'
of A+e>ander there is not a sin*+e Indian name to e
found" The ree=s ne%er ca++ed an Asiatic to$n or
)ro%ince ' their o$n name" The' dea+t in the same
manner $ith the E*')tians" The' $ou+d ha%e
thou*ht it a dishonor to the ree= ton*ue had the'
introduced into it a )ronunciation $hich the'
thou*ht ararous H if( for instance( the' had not
ca++ed the cit' of 0o)h 0em)his"
0r" &o+$e++ sa's that the Indians ne%er =ne$
either Porus or Ta>i+es H indeed these are not Indian
$ords" Ne%erthe+ess( if $e ma' e+ie%e our mis7
sionaries( there are sti++ some Indian +ords $ho )re7
tend to ha%e descended from Porus" Perha)s the
missionaries ha%e attered them $ith this ori*in
unti+ the' ha%e ado)ted it" There is( at +east( no
countr' in Euro)e in $hich ser%i+it' has not in7
%ented and %anit' recei%ed *enea+o*ies 'et more
chimerica+"
If F+a%ius .ose)hus has re+ated a ridicu+ous fa+e
aout A+e>ander and a .e$ish )onti( P+utarch( $ho
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$rote +on* after .ose)hus( in his turn seems not to
ha%e een s)arin* in fa+es concernin* this hero" &e
has e%en outdone 6uintus Curtius" !oth assert that
A+e>ander( $hen marchin* to$ards India( $ished to
ha%e himse+f adored( not on+' ' the Persians ut
a+so ' the ree=s" The Juestion is( $hat did A+e>7
&? Phi+oso)hica+
ander( the Persians( the ree=s( 6uintus Curtius(
and P+utarch understand ' adorin* We must
ne%er +ose si*ht of the *reat ru+e Dene 'our
terms"
If ' adorin* he meant in%o=in* a man as a
di%init' oerin* to him incense and sacrices
raisin* to him a+tars and tem)+es( it is c+ear that
A+e>ander reJuired nothin* of a++ this" If( ein* the
conJueror and master of the Persians( he chose that
the' shou+d sa+ute him after the Persian manner(
)rostratin* themse+%es on certain occasions( treatin*
him( in short( +i=e $hat he $as( a so%erei*n of Persia(
there is nothin* in this ut $hat is %er' reasona+e
and %er' common" The memers of the French )ar7
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+iament( in their eds of Mustice( address the =in*
=nee+in*H the third estate addresses( the states7*en7
era+ =nee+in*( a cu) of $ine is )resented =nee+in*( to
the =in* of En*+and H se%era+ Euro)ean so%erei*ns
are ser%ed =nee+in* at their consecration" The *reat
mo*u+( the em)eror of China( and the em)eror of
.a)an are a+$a's addressed =nee+in*" The Chinese
co+aos of an inferior order end the =nee efore the
co+aos of a su)erior order" We adore the )o)e( and
=iss the toe of his ri*ht foot" None of these cere7
monies ha%e e%er een re*arded as adoration in the
strict sense of the $ord( or as a $orshi) +i=e that due
to the Di%init'"
Thus( a++ that has een said of the )retended
adoration e>acted ' A+e>ander is founded on
ami*uit'"
Dictionar'" ::3
Octa%ius( surnamed Au*ustus( rea++' caused him7
se+f to e adored in the strictest sense of the $ord"
Tem)+es and a+tars $ere raised to him" There $ere
)riests of Au*ustus" &orace )ositi%e+' te++s him -
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#.urandisJue tuum )ar nomen )onimus aras"#
&ere $as tru+' a sacri+e*ious adoration H 'et $e are
not to+d that it e>cited discontent"
The contradictions in the character of A+e>ander
$ou+d e more dicu+t to reconci+e did $e not =no$
that men( es)ecia++' men ca++ed heroes( are often %er'
inconsistent $ith themse+%es( and that the +ife or
death of the est citi1ens( or the fate of a )ro%ince(
has more than once de)ended on the *ood or ad
di*estion of a $e++ or i++ ad%ised so%erei*n"
!ut ho$ are $e to reconci+e im)roa+e facts re7
+ated in a contradictor' manner Some sa' that
Ca++isthenes $as crucied ' order of A+e>ander for
not ha%in* ac=no$+ed*ed him to e the son of .u)i7
ter" !ut the cross $as not a mode of e>ecution
amon* the ree=s" Others sa' that he died +on*
after$ards( of too *reat cor)u+enc'" Athenaeus as7
sures us that he $as carried( +i=e a ird( in an iron
ca*e unti+ he $as de%oured ' %ermin" Amon*
a++ these dierent stories distin*uish the true one if
'ou can" Some ad%entures are su))osed ' 6uintus
Curtius to ha%e ha))ened in one to$n( and ' P+u7
tarch in another( the t$o )+aces ein* %e hundred
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+ea*ues a)art" A+e>ander( armed and a+one( +ea)ed
from the to) of a $a++ into a to$n he $as esie*in* H
accordin* to P+utarch near the mouth of the Indus"
Vo+" 9
&G Phi+oso)hica+
When he arri%ed on the 0a+aar coast( or near the
an*es no matter $hich( it is on+' nine hundred
mi+es from the one to the other he *a%e orders to
sei1e ten of the Indian )hi+oso)hers( ca++ed ' the
ree=s *'mnoso)hists( $ho $ent aout as na=ed as
a)es H to those he )ro)osed ridicu+ous Juestions(
)romisin* them %er' serious+' that he $ho *a%e the
$orst ans$ers shou+d e han*ed the rst( and the rest
in due order" This reminds us of Neuchadonosor(
$ho $ou+d aso+ute+' )ut his ma*i to death if the'
did not di%ine one of his dreams $hich he had for7
*otten H and of the Ca+i)h of the #Thousand and One
Ni*hts(# $ho $as to stran*+e his $ife as soon as she
had nished her stor'" !ut it is P+utarch $ho re7
+ates this nonsense H therefore it must e res)ected( for
he $as a ree="
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This +atter stor' is entit+ed to the same credit as
that of the )oisonin* of A+e>ander ' Aristot+e H for
P+utarch te++s us that someod' had heard one
A*notemis sa'( that he had heard Anti*onus sa'(
that Aristot+e sent a ott+e of $ater from Nonacris(
a to$n in Arcadia( $hich $ater $as so e>treme+'
co+d that the' $ho dran= it instant+' diedH that
Anti)ater sent this $ater in a horn H that it arri%ed
at !a'+on Juite fresh H that A+e>ander dran= of it H
and that( at the end of si> da's( he died of a con7
tinued fe%er"
P+utarch has( it is true( some douts res)ectin*
this anecdote" A++ that $e can e Juite certain of is
that A+e>ander( at the a*e of t$ent'7four( had con7
Dictionar'" ::
Juered Persia ' three att+es H that his *enius $as
as *reat as his %a+orH that he chan*ed the face of
Asia( reece( and E*')t( and *a%e a ne$ direction
to the commerce of the $or+dH and that !oi+eau
shou+d ha%e een more s)arin* of his ridicu+e( since
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it is not %er' +i=e+' that !oi+eau $ou+d ha%e done
more in as short a time"
ALE8ANDRIA"
0ORE than t$ent' to$ns ha%e orne the name of
A+e>andria( a++ ui+t ' A+e>ander and his ca)tains(
$ho ecame so man' =in*s" These to$ns are so
man' monuments of *+or'( far su)erior to the statues
$hich ser%i+it' after$ards erected to )o$er H ut the
on+' one of them $hich attracted the attention of the
$or+d ' its *reatness and its $ea+th $as that $hich
ecame the ca)ita+ of E*')t" This is no$ ut a hea)
of ruins H for it is $e++ =no$n that one ha+f of the
cit' has een reui+t on another site( near the sea"
The +i*hthouse( former+' one of the $onders of the
$or+d( has a+so ceased to e>ist"
The cit' $as a+$a's ourishin* under the Pto+e7
mies and the Romans" It did not dec+ine under the
Aras( nor did the 0ame+u=es or the Tur=s( $ho suc7
cessi%e+' conJuered it( to*ether $ith the rest of
E*')t( suer it to *o to deca'" It )reser%ed some
)ortion of its *reatness unti+ the )assa*e of the Ca)e
of ood &o)e o)ened a ne$ route to the Indies( and
once more *a%e a ne$ direction to the commerce of
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the $or+d( $hich A+e>ander had )re%ious+' chan*ed(
nB Phi+oso)hica+
and $hich had een chan*ed se%era+ times efore
A+e>ander"
The A+e>andrians $ere remar=a+e( under a++
their successi%e dominations( for industr' united
$ith +e%it'H for +o%e of no%e+t'( accom)anied ' a
c+ose a))+ication to commerce( and to a++ the arts
that ma=e commerce ourish H and for a contentious
and Juarre+some s)irit( Moined to co$ardice( su)er7
stition( and deaucher' a++ $hich ne%er chan*ed"
The cit' $as )eo)+ed $ith E*')tians( .e$s( and
Tur=s( a++ of $hom( thou*h )oor at rst( enriched
themse+%es ' trac" O)u+ence introduced the cu+7
ti%ation of the ne arts( $ith a taste for +iterature(
and conseJuent+' for dis)utation"
The .e$s ui+t a ma*nicent tem)+e( and trans7
+ated their oo=s into ree=( $hich had ecome the
+an*ua*e of the countr'" So *reat $ere the ani7
mosities amon* the nati%e E*')tians( the ree=s(
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the .e$s( and the Christians( that the' $ere contin7
ua++' accusin* one another to the *o%ernor( to the no
sma++ ad%anta*e of his re%enue" There $ere e%en
freJuent and +ood' seditions( in one of $hich( in the
rei*n of Ca+i*u+a( the .e$s( $ho e>a**erate e%er'7
thin*( assert that re+i*ious and commercia+ Mea+ous'(
united( cost them ft' thousand men( $hom the
A+e>andrians murdered"
Christianit'( $hich the Ori*ens( C+ements( and
others had esta+ished and rendered admira+e '
their +i%es( de*enerated into a mere s)irit of )art'"
The Christians ado)ted the manners of the E*')7
Dictionar'" ::@
tians H re+i*ion 'ie+ded to the desire of *ain H and a++
the inhaitants( di%ided in e%er'thin* e+se( $ere
unanimous on+' in the +o%e of mone'" This it $as
$hich )roduced that famous +etter from the Em)eror
Adrian to the Consu+ Ser%ianus( $hich Vo)iscus
*i%es us as fo++o$s -
ADRIANI EPISTOLA( E8 LI!RIS P&LEONTIS E./S
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PRODITA"
Adrianus Au*ustus Ser%iano Cos" Vo"
U*')tum( Juam mihi +audaas( Ser%iane caris7
sime( totam didici( +e%em( )endu+am( et ad omnia
fames monumenta %o+itantem" I++i Jui Sera)in co+unt
Christiani sunt( et de%oti sunt Sera)i Jui se C&RISTI
e)isco)us dicunt" Nemo i++ic Archis'na*o*us .udcs7
orum( nemo Semarites( nemo Christianorum )res7
'ter( non mathematicus( non arus)e>( non a+i)tes"
I)se i++e Patriarcha( Juum ?E*')tum %enerit( a a+iis
Sera)idem adorare( a a+iis co*itur C&RIST/0"
enus hominis seditiosissimum( inMuriosissimum"
Ci%itas o)u+enta( di%es( fecunda( in Jua nemo %i%at
otiosus" A+ii %itrum constant( a a+iis charta con7
citurH omnes certe +'m)hiones cuMuscunJue artis et
%identur et haentur" Poda*rosi Juod a*ant haent(
coed Juod faciantH ne chira*ri Juidem a)ud cos otiosi
%i%unt" /nus i++is deus estH hunc Christiani( hunc
.udcei( hunc homnes %enerantur et *entes"
Which ma' e rendered thus -
#0' dear Ser%ian- I ha%e seen that E*')t of
$hich 'ou ha%e s)o=en so hi*h+'H I =no$ it thor7
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: : 9 Phi+oso)hica+
ou*h+'" It is a +i*ht( uncertain( c=+e nation" The
$orshi))ers of Sera)is turn Christians( and the'
$ho are at the head of the re+i*ion of Christ de%ote
themse+%es to Sera)is" There is no chief of the
rais( no Samaritan( no Christian )riest $ho is
not an astro+o*er( a di%iner( a )ander" When the
ree= )atriarch comes into E*')t( some )ress him
to $orshi) Sera)is( others to adore Christ" The'
are %er' seditious( %er' %ain( and %er' Juarre+some"
The cit' is commercia+( o)u+ent( and )o)u+ous" No
one is id+e" Some ma=e *+ass H others manufacture
)a)er H the' seem to e( and indeed are( of a++ trades H
not e%en the *out in their feet and hands can reduce
them to entire inacti%it'H e%en the +ind $or="
0one' is a *od $hich the Christians( .e$s( and a++
men adore a+i=e"#
This +etter of an em)eror( $hose discernment $as
as *reat as his %a+or( sucient+' )ro%es that the
Christians( as $e++ as others( had ecome corru)ted
in this aode of +u>ur' and contro%ers' H ut the man7
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ners of the )rimiti%e Christians had not de*enerated
e%er'$hereH and a+thou*h the' had the misfortune
to e for a +on* time di%ided into dierent sects(
$hich detested and accused one another( the most
%io+ent enemies of Christianit' $ere o+i*ed to ac7
=no$+ed*e that the )urest and the *reatest sou+s
$ere to e found amon* its )rose+'tes" Such is the
case e%en at the )resent da' in cities $herein the
de*ree of fo++' and fren1' e>ceeds that of ancient
A+e>andria"
Dictionar'" ::;
ALIERS"
T&E )rinci)a+ oMect of this dictionar' is )hi7
+oso)h'" It is not( therefore( as *eo*ra)hers that $e
s)ea= of A+*iers( ut for the )ur)ose of remar=in*
that the rst desi*n of Louis 8IV"( $hen he too=
the rei*ns of *o%ernment( $as to de+i%er Christian
Euro)e from the continua+ de)redations of the !ar7
ar' corsairs" This )roMect $as an indication of a
*reat mind" &e $ished to )ursue e%er' road to
*+or'" It is some$hat astonishin* that( $ith the
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s)irit of order $hich he sho$ed in his court( in his
nances( and in the conduct of state aairs( he had
a sort of re+ish for ancient chi%a+r'( $hich +ed him to
the )erformance of *enerous and ri++iant actions(
e%en a))roachin* the romantic" It is certain that
Louis inherited from his mother a dea+ of that S)an7
ish *a++antr'( at once no+e and de+icate( $ith much
of that *reatness of sou+ that )assion for *+or'
that +oft' )ride( so cons)icuous in o+d romances" &e
ta+=ed of *htin* the em)eror Leo)o+d( +i=e a =ni*ht
see=in* ad%entures" The erection of the )'ramid
at Rome( the assertion of his ri*ht of )recedence( and
the idea of ha%in* a )ort near A+*iers to cur the
)irates( $ere +i=e$ise of this c+ass" To this +atter
attem)t he $as moreo%er e>cited ' Po)e A+e>ander
VII"( and ' Cardina+ 0a1arin efore his death" &e
had for some time deated $ith himse+f $hether he
shou+d *o on this e>)edition in )erson( +i=e Char+es
the Fifth H ut he had not %esse+s to e>ecute so *reat
: ?< Phi+oso)hica+
an enter)rise( $hether in )erson or ' his *enera+s(
The attem)t $as therefore fruit+ess( and it cou+d not
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e other$ise"
It $as( ho$e%er( of ser%ice in e>ercisin* the
French marine( and )re)ared the $or+d to e>)ect
some of those no+e and heroic actions $hich are out
of the ordinar' +ine of )o+ic'( such as the disinter7
ested aid +ent to the Venetians esie*ed in Candia(
and to the ermans )ressed ' the Ottoman arms at
St" othard"
The detai+s of the African e>)edition are +ost in
the numer of successfu+ or unsuccessfu+ $ars(
$a*ed Must+' or unMust+'( $ith *ood or ad )o+ic'"
We sha++ mere+' *i%e the fo++o$in* +etter( $hich
$as $ritten some 'ears a*e on the suMect of the
A+*erine )iracies -
#It is to e +amented( sire( that the )ro)osa+s of the
order of 0a+ta $ere not acceded to( $hen the'
oered( on consideration of a moderate susid' from
each Christian )o$er( to free the seas from the
)irates of A+*iers( 0orocco( and Tunis" The =ni*hts
of 0a+ta $ou+d then ha%e een tru+' the defenders
of Christianit'" The actua+ force of the A+*erines is
ut t$o ft'7*un shi)s( %e of aout fort'( and four
of thirt' *uns H the rest are not $orth mentionin*"
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#It is shamefu+ to see their +itt+e ar=s sei1in*
our merchant %esse+s e%er' da' throu*hout the 0ed7
iterranean" The' e%en cruise as far as the Canaries
and the A1ores"
#Their so+dier'( com)osed of a %ariet' of na7
Dictionar'" :?:
tions ancient 0auritanians( ancient Numidians(
Aras( Tur=s( and e%en ne*roes( set sai+( a+most
$ithout )ro%isions( in ti*ht %esse+s carr'in* from
ei*hteen to t$ent' *uns( and infest a++ our seas +i=e
%u+tures see=in* their )re'" When the' see a man
of $ar( the' 'H $hen the' see a merchant %esse+
the' sei1e it" Our friends and our re+ati%es( men
and $omen( are made s+a%es H and $e must hum+'
su))+icate the ararians to dei*n to recei%e our
mone' for restorin* to us their ca)ti%es"
#Some Christian states ha%e had the shamefu+
)rudence to treat $ith them( and send them arms
$here$ith to attac= others( ar*ainin* $ith them
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as merchants( $hi+e the' ne*otiate as $arriors"
#Nothin* $ou+d e more eas' than to )ut do$n
these marauders H 'et it is not done" !ut ho$ man'
other usefu+ and eas' thin*s are entire+' ne*+ected
The necessit' of reducin* these )irates is ac=no$+7
ed*ed in e%er' )rinces cainetH 'et no one under7
ta=es their reduction" When the ministers of dier7
ent courts accident+' ta+= the matter o%er( the' do
ut i++ustrate the fa+e of t'in* the e++ round the
cats nec="
#The order of the Redem)tion of Ca)ti%es is the
nest of a++ monastic institutions( ut it is a sad re7
)roach to us" The =in*doms of Fe1( A+*iers( and
Tunis ha%e no maraous of the Redem)tion of Ca)7
ti%es H ecause( thou*h the' ta=e man' Christians
from us( $e ta=e scarce+' an' 0ussu+mans from
them"
:?? Phi+oso)hica+
#Ne%erthe+ess( the' are more attached to their
re+i*ion than $e are to ours H for no Tur= or Ara
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e%er turns Christian( $hi+e the' ha%e hundreds of
rene*adoes amon* them( $ho e%en ser%e in their e>7
)editions" An Ita+ian named Pe+e*ini( $as( in :@:?(
ca)tain7*enera+ of the A+*erine *a++e's" The mira7
mo+in( the e'( the de'( a++ ha%e Christian fema+es
in their sera*+ios( ut there are on+' t$o Tur=ish
*ir+s $ho ha%e found +o%ers in Paris"
#The A+*erine +and force consists of t$e+%e thou7
sand re*u+ar so+diers on+'H ut a++ the rest of the
men are trained to arms H and it is this that renders
the conJuest of the countr' so dicu+t" The Van7
da+s( ho$e%er( easi+' sudued itH 'et $e dare not
attac= it"#
ALLEORIES"
./PITER( Ne)tune( and 0ercur'( tra%e++in* one
da' in Thrace( ca++ed on a certain =in* named
&'reus( $ho entertained them %er' handsome+'"
After eatin* a *ood dinner( the' as=ed him if the'
cou+d render him an' ser%ice" The *ood man( $ho
$as )ast the a*e at $hich it is usua+ for men to ha%e
chi+dren( to+d them he shou+d e %er' much o+i*ed
to them if the' $ou+d ma=e him a o'" The three
*ods then urinated on the s=in of a ne$ a'ed o> H
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and from these s)ran* Orion( $ho ecame one of the
conste++ations =no$n to the most remote antiJuit'"
This conste++ation $as named Orion ' the ancient
Cha+dseans H it is s)o=en of in the !oo= of .o" It
Dictionar'" : ?3
$ou+d e hard to disco%er a rationa+ a++e*or' in this
)rett' stor'( un+ess $e are to infer from it that
nothin* $as im)ossi+e to the *ods"
There $ere in reece t$o 'oun* ra=es( $ho $ere
to+d ' the orac+e to e$are of the me+am)'*os or
sa+e )osteriors" One da' &ercu+es too= them and
tied them ' the feet to the end of his c+u( so that
the' hun* do$n his ac= $ith their heads do$n7
$ard( +i=e a cou)+e of raits( ha%in* a fu++ %ie$
of his )erson" #Ah# said the'H #the orac+e is
accom)+ishedH this is the me+am)'*os# &ercu+es
fe++ a+au*hin*( and +et them *o" &ere a*ain it $ou+d
e rather dicu+t to di%ine the mora+ sense"
Amon* the fathers of m'tho+o*' there $ere some
$ho had on+' ima*ination H ut the *reater )art of
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them )ossessed understandin*s of no mean order"
Not a++ our academies( not a++ our ma=ers of de%ices(
not e%en the' $ho com)ose the +e*ends for the coun7
ters of the ro'a+ treasur'( $i++ e%er in%ent a++e*ories
more true( more )+easin*( or more in*enious( than
those of the Nine 0uses( of Venus( the races( the
od of Lo%e( and so man' others( $hich $i++ e the
de+i*ht and instruction of a++ a*es"
The ancients( it must e confessed( a+most a+$a's
s)o=e in a++e*ories" The ear+ier fathers of the
church( the *reater )art of $hom $ere P+atonists(
imitated this method of P+atos" The' ha%e( indeed(
een re)roached $ith ha%in* carried this taste for
a++e*ories and a++usions a +itt+e too far"
St" .ustin( in his #A)o+o*'(# sa's that the si*n oi
:?G Phi+oso)hica+
the cross is mar=ed in the +ims and features of man H
that $hen he e>tends his arms there is a )erfect
cross H and that his nose and e'es form a cross u)on
his face"
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Accordin* to Ori*ens e>)+anation of Le%iticus(
the fat of the %ictims si*nies the Church( and the
tai+ is a s'mo+ of )erse%erance"
St" Au*ustine( in his sermon on the dierence
and a*reement of the t$o *enea+o*ies of Christ( e>7
)+ains to his auditors $h' St" 0atthe$( a+thou*h he
rec=ons fort'7t$o *enerations( enumerates on+'
fort'7one" It is( sa's he( ecause .echonias must e
rec=oned t$ice( .echonias ha%in* *one from .eru7
sa+em to !a'+on" This Mourne' is to e considered
as the corner7stoneH and if the corner7stone is the
rst of one side of a ui+din*( it is a+so the rst of
the other sideH conseJuent+' this stone must e
rec=oned t$iceH and therefore .echonias must e
rec=oned t$ice" &e adds that( in the fort'7t$o *en7
erations( $e must d$e++ on the numer fort'( ecause
that numer si*nies +ife" The numer ten de7
notes +essedness( and ten mu+ti)+ied ' four( $hich
re)resents the four e+ements and the four seasons(
)roduces fort'"
In his ft'7third sermon( the dimensions of mat7
ter ha%e astonishin* )ro)erties" !readth is the di+a7
tion of the heart( +en*th is +on*7suerin*( hei*ht is
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ho)e( and de)th is faith" So that( esides the a++e7
*or'( $e ha%e four dimensions of matter instead of
three"
Dictionar'" :?
It is c+ear and induita+e sa's he in his sermon
on the Bth )sa+mQ that the numer four denotes the
human od'( ecause of the four e+ements( and the
four Jua+ities of hot( co+d( moist( and dr'H and as
four re+ates to the od'( so three re+ates to the sou+ H
for $e must +o%e od $ith a tri)+e +o%e $ith a++
our hearts( $ith a++ our sou+s( and $ith a++ our minds"
Four a+so re+ates to the O+d Testament( and three to
the Ne$" Four and three ma=e u) the numer of
se%en da's( and the ei*ht is the da' of Mud*ment"
One cannot ut fee+ that there is in these a++e*ories
an aectation ut +itt+e com)ati+e $ith true e+o7
Juence" The fathers( $ho sometimes made use of
these *ures( $rote in times and countries in $hich
near+' a++ the arts $ere de*eneratin*" Their +earn7
in* and ne *enius $ere $ar)ed ' the im)erfections
of the a*e in $hich the' +i%ed" St" Au*ustine is not
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to e res)ected the +ess for ha%in* )aid this triute
to the ad taste of Africa and the fourth centur'"
The discourses of our modern )reachers are not
dis*ured ' simi+ar fau+ts" Not that $e dare )re7
fer them to the fathers H ut the )resent a*e is to e
)referred to the a*es in $hich the' $rote" E+o7
Juence( $hich ecame more and more corru)ted( and
$as not re%i%ed unti+ +ater times( fe++( after them(
into sti++ *reater e>tra%a*ances H and the +an*ua*es
of a++ ararous nations $ere a+i=e ridicu+ous unti+
the a*e of Louis 8IV" Loo= at a++ the o+d co++ections
of sermons H the' are far e+o$ the dramatic )ieces
of the Passion( $hich used to e )+a'ed at the &ote+
:?B Phi+oso)hica+
de !our*o*ne" !ut the s)irit of a++e*or'( $hich has
ne%er een +ost( ma' e traced throu*hout these ar7
arous discourses" The ce+erated 0enot( $ho +i%ed
in the rei*n of Francis I"( did more honor( )erha)s(
than an' other to the a++e*orica+ st'+e" #The $orth'
administrators of Mustice(# said he( #are +i=e a cat
set to ta=e care of a cheese( +est it shou+d e *na$ed
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' the mice" One ite of the cat does more dama*e
to the cheese than t$ent' mice can do"#
&ere is another %er' curious )assa*e- #The
$oodmen( in a forest( cut +ar*e and sma++ ranches(
and ind them in fa**ots H Must so do our ecc+esias7
tics( $ith dis)ensations from Rome( hea) to*ether
*reat and sma++ eneces" The cardina+s hat is *ar7
nished $ith isho)rics( the isho)rics are *arnished
$ith ae's and )riories( and the $ho+e is *arnished
$ith de%i+s" A++ these church )ossessions must )ass
throu*h the three +in=s of the A%e 0ariaH for enc7
dicta tu stands for fat ae's of !enedictines( in
mu+ierius for monsieur and madame( and fructus
%entris for anJuets and *ormandi1ers"#
The sermons of !ar+et and 0ai++ard are a++
framed after this mode+( and $ere de+i%ered ha+f in
ad Latin( and ha+f in ad French" The Ita+ian ser7
mons $ere in the same taste H and the erman $ere
sti++ $orse" This monstrous med+e' *a%e irth to
the macaroni st'+e( the %er' c+ima> of ararism"
The s)ecies of orator'( $orth' on+' of the Indians
on the an=s of the 0issouri( )re%ai+ed e%en so +ate+'
as the rei*n of Louis 8III" The .esuit arasse( one
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Dictionar'" :?@
of the most distin*uished enemies of common sense(
ne%er )reached in an' other st'+e" &e +i=ened the
ce+erated Theo)hi+e to a ca+f( ecause Theo)hi+es
fami+' name $as Viaud( somethin* resem+in* %eau
a ca+fQ" #!ut(# said he( #the esh of a ca+f is *ood
to roast and to oi+( $hereas thine is *ood for nothin*
ut to urn"#
A++ these a++e*ories( used ' our ararians( fa++
innite+' short of those em)+o'ed ' &omer( Vir*i+(
and O%id( $hich )ro%es that if there e sti++ some
oths and Vanda+s $ho des)ise ancient fa+e the'
are not a+to*ether in the ri*ht"
AL0ANAC"
IT is of +itt+e moment to =no$ $hether $e ha%e
the $ord a+manac from the ancient Sa>ons( $ho
cou+d not $rite( or from the Aras( $ho are =no$n
to ha%e een astronomers( and to ha%e had some
acJuaintance $ith the courses of the )+anets( $hi+e
the $estern nations $ere sti++ $ra))ed in an i*no7
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rance as *reat as their ararism" I sha++ here con7
ne m'se+f to one short oser%ation"
Let an Indian )hi+oso)her( $ho has emar=ed at
0e+ia)our( come to !a'onne" I sha++ su))ose this
)hi+oso)her to e a man of sense( $hich( 'ou $i++ sa'(
is rare amon* the +earned of India H to e di%ested of
a++ scho+astic )reMudices a thin* that $as rare
e%er'$here not +on* a*o and I sha++ su))ose him
to meet $ith a +oc=head in our )art of the $or+d
$hich is not Juite so *reat a rarit'"
:?9 Phi+oso)hica+
Our +oc=head( in order to ma=e him con%ersant
$ith our arts and sciences( )resents him $ith a Lie*e
a+manac( com)osed ' 0atthe$ Lanser*( and the
Lame 0essen*er 0essa*er oiteu>Q ' Anthon'
Souci( astro+o*er and historian( )rinted e%er' 'ear
at !as+e( and so+d to the numer of ?<(<<< co)ies in
ei*ht da's" There 'ou eho+d the ne *ure of a
man( surrounded ' the si*ns of the 5odiac( $ith cer7
tain indications most c+ear+' demonstratin* that the
sca+es )reside o%er the )osteriors( the ram o%er the
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creet )ersons amon* us( somethin* ma'( $ith the
+essin* of od( e made of us"
It $as )recise+' in this $a' that our rst mis7
sionaries( es)ecia++' St" Francis 8a%ier( s)o=e of the
)eo)+e inhaitin* the )eninsu+a of India" The' e%en
fe++ into sti++ *rosser mista=es res)ectin* the customs
of the Indians( their sciences( their o)inions( their
manners( and their $orshi)" The accounts $hich
the' sent to Euro)e $ere e>treme+' curious" E%er'
statue $as a de%i+ H e%er' assem+' a saath H e%er'
s'mo+ica+ *ure a ta+isman H e%er' !rahmin a sor7
cererH and these are made the suMect of ne%er7
endin* +amentations" The' ho)e that the har%est
$i++ e aundantH and add( ' a rather incon*ruous
meta)hor( that the' $i++ +aor eectua++' in the %ine7
'ard of the Lord( in a countr' $here $ine has a+$a's
een un=no$n" Thus( or near+' thus( ha%e e%er'
)eo)+e Mud*ed( not on+' of distant nations( ut of
their nei*hors"
The Chinese are said to e the most ancient
a+manac7ma=ers" The nest of their em)erors
)ri%i+e*es is that of sendin* his ca+endar to his %as7
sa+s and nei*hors H their refusa+ of $hich $ou+d e
considered as a ra%ado( and $ar $ou+d forth$ith
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e made u)on them( as it used to e in Euro)e on
feuda+ +ords $ho refused their homa*e"
If $e ha%e on+' t$e+%e conste++ations( the Chinese
ha%e t$ent'7ei*ht( the names of $hich ha%e not the
+east anit' $ith ours a sucient )roof that the'
ha%e ta=en nothin* from the Cha+daean 5odiac( that
Vo+ 7;
:3< Phi+oso)hica+
$e ha%e ado)ted" !ut thou*h the' ha%e had a com7
)+ete s'stem of astro+o*' for more than four thou7
sand 'ears( the' resem+e 0atthe$ Lanser* and
Anthon' Souci in the ne )redictions and secrets of
hea+th $ith $hich the' stu their Im)eria+ A+manac"
The' di%ide the da' into ten thousand minutes( and
=no$( $ith the *reatest )recision( $hat minute is
fa%ora+e or other$ise" When the Em)eror Kamhi
$ished to em)+o' the .esuit missionaries in ma=7
in* the a+manac( the' are said to ha%e e>cused
themse+%es( at rst( on account of the e>tra%a*ant
su)erstitions $ith $hich it must e ++ed" #I ha%e
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much +ess faith than 'ou in the su)erstitions(# re7
)+ied the em)eror H #on+' ma=e me a *ood ca+endar(
and +ea%e it for m' +earned men to ++ u) the oo=
$ith their foo+er'"#
The in*enious author of the #P+ura+it' of
Wor+ds# ridicu+es the Chinese( ecause( sa's he(
the' see a thousand stars fa++ at once into the sea" It
is %er' +i=e+' that the Em)eror Kamhi ridicu+ed this
notion as $e++ as Fontene++e" Some Chinese a+manac7
ma=er had( it $ou+d seem( een *ood7natured
enou*h to s)ea= of these meteors after the manner
of the )eo)+e( and to ta=e them for stars" E%er'
countr' has its foo+ish notions" A++ the nations of
antiJuit' made the sun +ie do$n in the sea( $here
for a +on* time $e sent the stars" We ha%e e+ie%ed
that the c+ouds touched the rmament( that the
rmament $as a hard sustance( and that it su)7
)orted a reser%oir of $ater" It has not +on* een
Dictionar'" :3:
=no$n in our to$ns that the Vir*in7thread + de +a
%ier*eQ so often found in the countr'( is nothin*
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more than the thread s)un ' a s)ider" Let us not
+au*h at an' )eo)+e" Let us reect that the Chinese
had astro+aes and s)heres efore $e cou+d read( and
that if the' ha%e made no *reat )ro*ress in astron7
om'( it is throu*h that same res)ect for the ancients
$hich $e ha%e had for Aristot+e"
It is conso+in* to =no$ that the Roman )eo)+e(
)o)u+us +ate re>( $ere( in this )articu+ar( far ehind
0atthe$ Lanser*( and the Lame 0essen*er( and
the astro+o*ers of China( unti+ the )eriod $hen .u+ius
Caesar reformed the Roman 'ear( $hich $e ha%e re7
cei%ed from him and sti++ ca++ ' his name the
.u+ian Ca+endar( a+thou*h $e ha%e no ca+ends( and
he $as o+i*ed to reform it himse+f"
The )rimiti%e Romans had( at rst( a 'ear of ten
months( ma=in* three hundred and four da's H this
$as neither so+ar nor +unar( nor an'thin* e>ce)t ar7
arous" The Roman 'ear $as after$ards com)osed
of three hundred and ft'7%e da's another mis7
ta=e( $hich $as corrected so im)erfect+' that( in
Caesars time( the summer festi%a+s $ere he+d in
$inter" The Roman *enera+s a+$a's trium)hed( ut
ne%er =ne$ on $hat da' the' trium)hed"
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Caesar reformed e%er'thin*H he seemed to ru+e
oth hea%en and earth" I =no$ not throu*h $hat
com)+aisance for the Roman customs it $as that he
e*an the 'ear at a time $hen it does not e*in
that is( ei*ht da's after the $inter so+stice" A++ the
:3? Phi+oso)hica+
nations com)osin* the Roman Em)ire sumitted to
this inno%ation H e%en the E*')tians( $ho had unti+
then *i%en the +a$ in a++ that re+ated to a+manacs(
recei%ed itH ut none of these dierent nations a+7
tered an'thin* in the distriution of their feasts"
The .e$s( +i=e the rest( ce+erated their ne$ moonsH
their )hase or )ascha( the fourteenth da' of the
moon of 0arch( ca++ed the red7haired moon( $hich
da' often fe++ in A)ri+H their Pentecost( ft' da's
after the )aschaH the feast of horns or trum)ets( the
rst da' of .u+' H that of taernac+es on the fteenth
of the same month( and that of the *reat saath(
se%en da's after$ards"
The rst Christians fo++o$ed the com)utations of
the em)ire( and rec=oned ' ca+ends( nones( and
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ides( +i=e their mastersH the' +i=e$ise recei%ed the
!isse>ti+e( $hich $e ha%e sti++( a+thou*h it $as
found necessar' to correct it in the fteenth centur'(
and it must some da' e corrected a*ain H ut the'
conformed to the .e$ish methods in the ce+eration
of their *reat feasts" The' >ed their Easter for
the fourteenth da' of the red moon( unti+ the Coun7
ci+ of Nice determined that it shou+d e the Sunda'
fo++o$in*" Those $ho ce+erated it on the four7
teenth $ere dec+ared hereticsH and oth $ere mis7
ta=en in their ca+cu+ation"
The feasts of the !+essed Vir*in $ere( as far as
)ossi+e( sustituted for the ne$ moons" The author
of the #Roman Ca+endar# Le Ca+endrier RomainQ
sa's the reason of this is dra$n from the %erse of
Dictionar'" :33
the Cantic+e( )u+chra ut +una( #fair as the moon#H
ut( ' the same ru+e( these feasts shou+d e he+d on
a Sunda'( for in the same %erse $e nd e+ecta ut so+(
#chosen +i=e the sun"# The Christians a+so =e)t the
feast of Pentecost H it $as >ed( +i=e that of the .e$s(
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)recise+' ft' da's after Easter" The same author
asserts that saint7da's too= the )+ace of the feasts of
taernac+es" &e adds that St" .ohns da' $as >ed
for the ?Gth of .une( on+' ecause the da's then e*in
to shorten( and St" .ohn had said( $hen s)ea=in* of
.esus Christ( #&e must *ro$( and I must ecome
+ess# O)ortet i+ium crescere( me autem minui"
There is somethin* %er' sin*u+ar in the ancient
ceremon' of +i*htin* a *reat re on St" .ohns da'(
in the hottest )eriod of the 'ear" It has een said to
e a %er' o+d custom( ori*ina++' desi*ned to com7
memorate the ancient urnin* of the $or+d( $hich
a$aited a second cona*ration" The same $riter
assures us that the feast of the Assum)tion is =e)t
on the : th of Au*ust ecause the sun is then in the
si*n of the Vir*in" &e a+so certies that St"
0athias da' is in the month of Feruar'( ecause
he $as( as it $ere( interca+ated amon* the t$e+%e
a)ost+es( as a da' is added to Feruar' e%er' +ea)7
'ear" There $ou+d( )erha)s( e somethin* in these
astronomica+ ima*inin*s to ma=e our Indian )hi+os7
o)her smi+eH ne%erthe+ess( the author of them $as
mathematica+ master to the Dau)hin( son of Louis
8IV"( and moreo%er( an en*ineer and a %er' $orth'
ocer"
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:3G Phi+oso)hica+
ALTARS( TE0PLES( RITES( SACRIFICES(
ETC"
IT is uni%ersa++' ac=no$+ed*ed that the rst
Christians had neither tem)+es( nor a+tars( nor ta7
)ers( nor incense( nor ho+' $ater( nor an' of those
rites $hich the )rudence of )astors after$ards in7
stituted( in conformit' $ith times and )+aces( ut
more es)ecia++' $ith the %arious $ants of the faith7
fu+"
We ha%e am)+e testimon' in Ori*en( Athena7
*oras( Theo)hi+us( .ustin( and Tertu++ian( that the
)rimiti%e Christians he+d tem)+es and a+tars in aom7
ination H and that not mere+' ecause the' cou+d not
in the e*innin* otain )ermission from the *o%7
ernment to ui+d tem)+es( ut ecause the' had a
rea+ a%ersion for e%er'thin* that seemed to a))+'
an' anit' $ith other re+i*ions" This ahorrence
e>isted amon* them for t$o hundred and ft' 'ears(
as is )ro%ed ' the fo++o$in* )assa*e of 0inutius
Fe+i>( $ho +i%ed in the third centur'" Addressin*
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the Romans( he sa's -
# Putatis autem nos occu+tare Juod co+imus( si de+ura et
aras non haemus" 6uod enim simu+acrum Deo n*am(
Juum( si recte e>is times( sit Dei homo i)se simu+acrum
Juod tem)+um ei e>struam( Juum totus hie mundus( eMus
o)ere faric atus( eum ca)er e non )ossit et Juum homo
+atius maneam( intra unam adicu+um %im tant21 maMestatis
inc+udamf nonne me+ius in nostra dedicandus est mente(
in nostro imo consecrandus est )ec tore #
#4ou thin= that $e concea+ $hat $e adore( e7
cause $e ha%e neither tem)+es nor a+tars" !ut $hat
sha++ $e erect +i=e to od( since man himse+f is
Dictionar'" :3
ods ima*e What tem)+e sha++ $e ui+d for &im(
$hen the $ho+e $or+d( $hich is the $or= of &is
hands( cannot contain &im &o$ sha++ $e enc+ose
the )o$er of such maMest' in one d$e++in*7)+ace
Is it not etter to consecrate a tem)+e to &im in our
minds and in our hearts #
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The Christians( then( had no tem)+es unti+ aout
the e*innin* of the rei*n of Dioc+etian" The Church
had then ecome %er' numerous H and it $as found
necessar' to introduce those decorations and rites
$hich( at an ear+ier )eriod( $ou+d ha%e een use+ess
and e%en dan*erous to a s+ender oc=( +on* des)ised(
and considered as nothin* more than a sma++ sect of
dissentin* .e$s"
It is manifest that( $hi+e the' $ere confounded
$ith the .e$s( the' cou+d not otain )ermission to
erect tem)+es" The .e$s( $ho )aid %er' dear for
their s'na*o*ues( $ou+d themse+%es ha%e o))osed
itH for the' $ere morta+ enemies to the Christians(
and the' $ere rich" We must not sa'( $ith To+and(
that the Christians( $ho at that time made a sho$ of
des)isin* tem)+es and a+tars( $ere +i=e the fo> that
said the *ra)es $ere sour" This com)arison a)7
)ears as unMust as it is im)ious( since a++ the )rimi7
ti%e Christians in so man' dierent countries( a*reed
in maintainin* that there $as no need of raisin*
tem)+es or a+tars to the true od"
Pro%idence( actin* ' second causes( $i++ed that
the' shou+d erect a s)+endid tem)+e at Nicomedia( the
residence of the Em)eror Dioc+etian( as soon as the'
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:3B Phi+oso)hica+
had otained that so%erei*ns )rotection" The' ui+t
others in other cities H ut sti++ the' had a horror of
ta)ers( +ustra+ $ater( )ontica+ haits( etc" A++ this
)om) and circumstance $as in their e'es no other
than a distincti%e mar= of )a*anism" These cus7
toms $ere ado)ted under Constantine and his suc7
cessors( and ha%e freJuent+' chan*ed"
Our *ood $omen of the )resent da'( $ho e%er'
Sunda' hear a Latin mass( at $hich a +itt+e o' at7
tends( ima*ine that this rite has een oser%ed from
the ear+iest a*es( that there ne%er $as an' other( and
that the custom in other countries of assem+in* to
oer u) )ra'ers to od in common is diao+ica+ and
Juite of recent ori*in" There is( undenia+'( some7
thin* %er' res)ecta+e in a mass( since it has een
authori1ed ' the Church H it is not at a++ an ancient
usa*e( ut is not the +ess entit+ed to our %eneration"
There is not( )erha)s( a sin*+e ceremon' of this
da' $hich $as in use in the time of the a)ost+es"
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The &o+' S)irit has a+$a's conformed himse+f to
the times" &e ins)ired the rst disci)+es in a mean
a)artment H &e no$ communicates &is ins)irations
in St" Peters at Rome( $hich cost se%era+ mi++ions
eJua++' di%ine( ho$e%er( in the $retched room( and
in the su)er edice of .u+ius II"( Leo 8"( Pau+ III"(
and Si>tus V"
A0A5ONS"
!OLD and %i*orous $omen ha%e een often seen
to *ht +i=e men" &istor' ma=es mention of such H
for( $ithout rec=onin* Semiramis( Tom'ris( or
Dictionar'" :3@
Penthesi+ea $ho( )erha)s( e>isted on+' in fa+e it
is certain that there $ere man' $omen in the armies
of the rst ca+i)hs" In the trie of the &omerites(
es)ecia++'( it $as a sort of +a$( dictated ' +o%e and
coura*e( that in att+e $i%es shou+d succor and
a%en*e their husands( and mothers their chi+dren"
When the famous chief Derar $as *htin* in
S'ria a*ainst the *enera+s of the Em)eror &erac+ius(
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in the time of the ca+i)h Aue=er( successor to
0ahomet( Peter( $ho commanded at Damascus( too=
thither se%era+ $omen( $hom he had ca)tured( to7
*ether $ith some oot'( in one of his e>cursions H
amon* the )risoners $as the sister of Derar" A+%a7
=edis #Araian &istor'(# trans+ated ' Oc=+e'( sa's
that she $as a )erfect eaut'( and that Peter ecame
enamored of her( )aid *reat attention to her on the
$a'( and indu+*ed her and her fe++o$7)risoners $ith
short marches" The' encam)ed in an e>tensi%e
)+ain( under tents( *uarded ' troo)s )osted at a
short distance" Cau+ah so this sister of Derar s
$as namedQ )ro)osed to one of her com)anions(
ca++ed Oserra( that the' shou+d endea%or to esca)e
from ca)ti%it'( and )ersuaded her rather to die than
e a %ictim to the +e$d desires of the Christians" 7The
same 0ahometan enthusiasm sei1ed a++ the $omen H
the' armed themse+%es $ith the iron7)ointed sta%es
that su))orted their tents( and $ith a sort of da**er
$hich the' $ore in their *ird+es H the' then formed a
circ+e( as the co$s do $hen the' )resent their horns
to attac=in* $o+%es" Peter on+' +au*hed at rst H he
:39 Phi+oso)hica+
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ad%anced to$ard the $omen( $ho *a%e him hard
+o$s $ith the sta%es H after hesitatin* for some time(
he at +en*th reso+%ed to use force H the sares of his
men $ere a+read' dra$n( $hen Derar arri%ed( )ut
the ree=s to i*ht( and de+i%ered his sister and the
other ca)ti%es"
Nothin* can more stron*+' resem+e those times
ca++ed heroic( sun* ' &omer" &ere are the same
sin*+e comats at the head of armies( the comat7
ants freJuent+' ho+din* a +on* con%ersation efore
the' commence *htin*H and this( no dout( Musties
&omer"
Thomas( *o%ernor of S'ria( &erac+iuss son7in7
+a$( made a sa++' from Damascus( and attac=ed
Ser*iai+( ha%in* rst )ra'ed to .esus Christ" #/n7
Must a**ressor(# said he to Ser*iai+( #thou canst not
resist .esus( m' od( $ho $i++ *ht for the cham7
)ions of &is re+i*ion"# #Thou te++est an im)ious +ie(#
ans$ered Ser*iai+H #.esus is not *reater efore
od than Adam" od raised &im from the dust H
&e *a%e +ife to &im as to another man( and( after
+ea%in* &im for some time on earth( too= &im u)
into hea%en"# After some more %era+ s=irmishin*
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the *ht e*an" Thomas dischar*ed an arro$(
$hich $ounded 'oun* Aan( the son of Sai( ' the
side of the %a+iant Ser*iai+ H Aan fe++ and e>)ired H
the ne$s of his death reached his 'oun* $ife( to
$hom he had een united ut a fe$ da's eforeH
she neither $e)t nor com)+ained( ut ran to the e+d
of att+e( $ith a Jui%er at her ac=( and a cou)+e of
Dictionar'" :3;
arro$s in her hand H $ith the rst of these she =i++ed
the Christian standard7earer( and the Aras sei1ed
the tro)h'( cr'in*( A++ah achar With the other she
shot Thomas in the e'e( and he retired( +eedin*( into
the to$n"
Araian histor' is fu++ of simi+ar e>am)+es( ut
the' do not te++ us that these $ar+i=e $omen urned
their ri*ht reast( that the' mi*ht dra$ the o$ et7
ter( nor that the' +i%ed $ithout menH on the con7
trar'( the' e>)osed themse+%es in att+e for their
husands or their +o%ers H from $hich %er' circum7
stance $e must conc+ude that( so far from re)roach7
in* Ariosto and Tasso for ha%in* introduced so man'
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enamored $arriors into their )oems( $e shou+d )raise
them for ha%in* de+ineated rea+ and interestin* man7
ners"
When the crusadin* mania $as at its hei*ht there
$ere some Christian $omen $ho shared the fati*ues
and dan*ers of their husands" To such a )itch( in7
deed( $as this enthusiasm carried that the enoese
$omen undertoo= a crusade of their o$n( and $ere
on the )oint of settin* out for Pa+estine to form )etti7
coat atta+ions H the' had made a %o$ so to do( ut
$ere aso+%ed from it ' a )o)e( $ho $as a +itt+e
$iser than themse+%es"
0ar*aret of AnMou( $ife of the unfortunate
&enr' VI" of En*+and( e%inced( in a Muster $ar( a
%a+or tru+' heroic H she fou*ht in ten att+es to de7
+i%er her husand" &istor' aords no authenticated
e>am)+e of *reater or more )erse%erin* coura*e in
:G< Phi+oso)hica+
a $oman" She had een )receded ' the ce+erated
Countess de 0ontfort( in !rittan'" #This )rincess(#
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sa's dAr*entre( #$as %irtuous e'ond the nature of
her se>( and %a+iant e'ond a++ menH she mounted
her horse( and mana*ed him etter than an' esJuire H
she fou*ht hand to hand( or char*ed a troo) of armed
men +i=e the most %a+iant ca)tainH she fou*ht on
sea and +and $ith eJua+ ra%er'(# etc" She $ent(
s$ord in hand( throu*h her states( $hich $ere in7
%aded ' her com)etitor( Char+es de !+ois" She not
on+' sustained t$o assau+ts( armed ca)7a7)ie( in the
reach of &enneon( ut she made a sortie $ith %e
hundred men( attac=ed the enem's cam)( set re to
it( and reduced it to ashes"
The e>)+oits of .oan of Arc( etter =no$n as the
0aid of Or+eans( are +ess astonishin* than those of
0ar*aret of AnMou and the Countess de 0ontfort"
These t$o )rincesses ha%in* een rou*ht u) in the
+u>ur' of courts( and .oan of Arc in the rude e>7
ercises of countr' +ife( it $as more sin*u+ar( as $e++
as more no+e( to Juit a )a+ace for the e+d than a
cotta*e"
The heroine $ho defended !eau%ais $as( )er7
ha)s( su)erior to her $ho raised the sie*e of Or+eans(
for she fou*ht Juite as $e++( and neither oasted of
ein* a maid( nor of ein* ins)ired" It $as in :G@?(
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$hen the !ur*undian arm' $as esie*in* !eau%ais(
that .eanne &achette( at the head of a numer of
$omen( sustained an assau+t for a considera+e time(
$rested the standard from one of the enem' $ho $as
Dictionar'" :G:
aout to )+ant it on the reach( thre$ the earer into
the trench( and *a%e time for the =in*s troo)s to
arri%e and re+ie%e the to$n" &er descendants ha%e
een e>em)ted from the tai++e )o++ ta>Q a mean
and shamefu+ recom)ense The $omen and *ir+s of
!eau%ais are more attered ' their $a+=in* efore
the men in the )rocession on the anni%ersar' da'"
E%er' )u+ic mar= of honor is an encoura*ement of
meritH ut the e>em)tion from the tai++e is ut a
)roof that the )ersons so e>em)ted $ere suMected
to this ser%itude ' the misfortune of their irth"
There is hard+' an' nation $hich does not oast
of ha%in* )roduced such heroines H the numer of
these( ho$e%er( is not *reat H nature seems to ha%e
desi*ned $omen for other )ur)oses" Women ha%e
een =no$n ut rare+' to e>hiit themse+%es as
so+diers" In short( e%er' )eo)+e ha%e had their fe7
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ma+e $arriors H ut the =in*dom of the Ama1ons( on
the an=s of the Thermodon( is( +i=e most other
ancient stories( nothin* more than a )oetic ction"
A0!I/IT4 E6/IVOCATION"
FOR $ant of dennin* terms( and es)ecia++' for
$ant of a c+ear understandin*( a+most a++ +a$s( that
shou+d e as )+ain as arithmetic and *eometr'( are
as oscure as +o*o*ri)hs" The me+ancho+' )roof of
this is that near+' a++ )rocesses are founded on the
sense of the +a$s( a+$a's dierent+' understood '
the )+eaders( the ad%ocates( and the Mud*es"
The $ho+e )u+ic +a$ of Euro)e had its ori*in in
:G? Phi+oso)hica+
eJui%oca+ e>)ressions( e*innin* $ith the Sa+iJue
+a$" She sha++ not inherit Sa+iJue +and" !ut $hat
is Sa+iJue +and And sha++ not a *ir+ inherit mone'(
or a nec=+ace( +eft to her( $hich ma' e $orth more
than the +and
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The citi1ens of Rome sa+uted Kar+( son of the
Austrasian Pe)in +e !ref( ' the name of im)erator"
Did the' understand there' - We confer on 'ou a++
the )rero*ati%es of Octa%ius( Tierius( Ca+i*u+a( and
C+audius We *i%e 'ou a++ the countr' $hich the'
)ossessed &o$e%er( the' cou+d not *i%e itH for
so far $ere the' from ein* masters of it that the'
$ere scarce+' masters of their o$n cit'" There ne%e,
$as a more eJui%oca+ e>)ressionH and such as i+
$as then it sti++ is"
Did Leo III"( the isho) of Rome $ho is said to
ha%e sa+uted Char+ema*ne em)eror( com)rehend
the meanin* of the $ords $hich he )ronounced
The ermans assert that he understood ' them
that Char+es shou+d e his master" The Datar' has
asserted that he meant he shou+d e master o%er
Char+ema*ne"
&a%e not thin*s the most %enera+e( the most
sacred( the most di%ine( een oscured ' the am7
i*uities of +an*ua*e As= t$o Christians of $hat
re+i*ion the' are" Each $i++ ans$er( I am a Catho+ic"
4ou thin= the' are oth of the same communionH
'et one is of the ree=( the other of the Latin church H
and the' are irreconci+a+e" If 'ou see= to e fur7
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ther informed( 'ou $i++ nd that ' the $ord
Dictionar'" :G3
Catho+ic each of them understands uni%ersa+( in
$hich case uni%ersa+ si*nies a )art"
The sou+ of St" Francis is in hea%en is in )ara7
dise" One of these $ords si*nies the airH the other
means a *arden" The $ord s)irit is used a+i=e to
e>)ress e>tract( thou*ht( disti++ed +iJuor( a))arition"
Ami*uit' has een so necessar' a %ice in a++
+an*ua*es( formed ' $hat is ca++ed chance and '
custom( that the author of a++ c+earness and truth
&imse+f condescended to s)ea= after the manner of
&is )eo)+eH $hence is it that E+ohim si*nies in
some )+aces Mud*es( at other times *ods(a"nd at others
an*e+s" #Tu es Petrus( et su)er hunc )etrum adi7
cao ecc+esiam meam(# $ou+d e eJui%oca+ in a )ro7
fane ton*ue( and on )rofane suMectH ut these
$ords recei%e a di%ine sense from the mouth $hich
utters them( and the suMect to $hich the' are a)7
)+ied"
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#I am the od of Araham( the od of Isaac( the
od of .aco H no$ od is not the od of the dead(
ut of the +i%in*"# In the ordinar' sense these $ords
mi*ht si*nif' - #I am the same od that $as $or7
shi))ed ' Araham( Isaac and .acoH as the earth(
$hich ore Araham( Isaac( and .aco( +i=e$ise
ears their descendantsH the sun $hich shines to7
da' is the sun that shone on Araham( Isaac( and
.acoH the +a$ of their chi+dren $as their +a$"#
This does not( ho$e%er( si*nif' that Araham( Isaac(
and .aco are sti++ +i%in*" !ut $hen the 0essiah
s)ea=s( there is no +on*er an' ami*uit' H the sense
:GG Phi+oso)hica+
is as c+ear as it is di%ine" It is e%ident that Araham(
Isaac( and .aco are not amon* the dead( ut +i%e
in *+or'( since this orac+e is )ronounced ' the 0es7
siah H ut it $as necessar' that &e and no one e+se
shou+d utter it"
The discourses of the .e$ish )ro)hets mi*ht seem
eJui%oca+ to men of *ross inte++ects( $ho cou+d not
)ercei%e their meanin*H ut the' $ere not so to
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minds i++umined ' the +i*ht of faith"
A++ the orac+es of antiJuit' $ere eJui%oca+" It
$as foreto+d to Croesus that a )o$erfu+ em)ire $as
to fa++ H ut $as it to e his o$n or that of C'rus
It $as a+so foreto+d to P'rrhus that the Romans
mi*ht conJuer him( and that he mi*ht conJuer the
Romans" It $as im)ossi+e that this orac+e shou+d
+ie"
When Se)timius Se%erus( Pescennius Ni*er( and
C+odius A+inus $ere contendin* for the em)ire(
the orac+e of De+)hos( ein* consu+ted not$ith7
standin* the assertion of the .esuit !a+tus that
orac+es had ceasedQ( ans$ered that the ro$n $as
%er' *ood( the $hite *ood for nothin*( and the
African to+era+e" It is )+ain that there are more
$a's than one of e>)+ainin* such an orac+e"
When Aure+ian consu+ted the *od of Pa+m'ra
sti++ in s)ite of !a+tusQ( the *od said that the do%es
fear the fa+con" Whate%er mi*ht ha))en( the *od
$ou+d not e emarrassedH the fa+con $ou+d e
the conJueror( and the do%es the conJuered"
So%erei*ns( as $e++ as *ods( ha%e sometimes
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Dictionar'" :G
made use of eJui%ocation" Some t'rant( $hose name
I for*et( ha%in* s$orn to one of his ca)ti%es that he
$ou+d not =i++ him( ordered that he shou+d ha%e
nothin* to eat( sa'in* that he had )romised not to
)ut him to death( ut he had not )romised to =ee)
him a+i%e"
A0ERICA"
SINCE framers of s'stems are continua++' con7
Mecturin* on the manner in $hich America can ha%e
een )eo)+ed( $e $i++ e eJua++' consistent in sa'in*
that &e $ho caused ies to e>ist in those re*ions
caused men to e>ist there a+so" &o$e%er )+easant
it ma' e to dis)ute( it cannot e denied that the
Su)reme !ein*( $ho +i%es in a++ nature( has created(
aout the fort'7ei*hth de*ree( t$o7+e**ed anima+s
$ithout feathers( the co+or of $hose s=in is a mi>7
ture of $hite and carnation( $ith +on* eards a)7
)roachin* to red H aout the +ine( in Africa and its
is+ands( ne*roes $ithout eards H and in the same
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there in oats( and that 0e>ico must ha%e een )eo7
)+ed ' some of the descendants of 0a*o*" As $e++
mi*ht e said that if there e men in the moon the'
must ha%e een ta=en thither ' Asto+)ho on his
hi))o*ri( $hen he $ent to fetch Ro+ands senses(
$hich $ere cor=ed u) in a ott+e" If America had
een disco%ered in his time( and there had then een
men in Euro)e s'stematic enou*h to ha%e ad%anced(
$ith the .esuit Latau( that the Cariees descended
from the inhaitants of Caria( and the &urons from
the .e$s( he $ou+d ha%e done $e++ to ha%e rou*ht
ac= the ott+e containin* the $its of these reason7
ers( $hich he $ou+d dout+ess ha%e found in the
moon( a+on* $ith those of An*e+icas +o%er"
The rst thin* done $hen an inhaited is+and is
disco%ered in the Indian Ocean( or in the South
Seas( is to inJuire $hence came these )eo)+e !ut as
for the trees and the tortoises( the' are( $ithout an'
hesitation( )ronounced to e indi*enousH as if it
$as more dicu+t for Nature to ma=e men than to
ma=e tortoises" One thin*( ho$e%er( $hich tends
to countenance this s'stem is that there is scarce+' an
is+and in the Eastern or in the Western Ocean $hich
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Dictionar'" :G@
does not contain Mu**+ers( Juac=s( =na%es and foo+s"
This( it is )roa+e( *a%e rise to the o)inion that
these anima+s are of the same race $ith ourse+%es"
A0PLIFICATION"
IT is )retended that am)+ication is a ne *ure
of rhetoricH )erha)s( ho$e%er( it $ou+d e more
reasona+e to ca++ it a defect" In sa'in* a++ that $e
shou+d sa'( $e do not am)+if' H and if after sa'in*
this $e am)+if'( $e sa' too much" To )+ace a *ood
or ad action in e%er' +i*ht is not to am)+if' H ut
to *o farther than this is to e>a**erate and ecome
$earisome"
Pri1es $ere former+' *i%en in co++e*es for am)+i7
cation" This $as indeed teachin* the art of ein*
diuse" It $ou+d( )erha)s( ha%e een etter to ha%e
*i%en the fe$est $ords( and thus teach the art of
s)ea=in* $ith *reater force and ener*'" !ut $hi+e
$e a%oid am)+ication( +et us e$are of dr'ness"
I ha%e heard )rofessors teach that certain )as7
sa*es in #Vir*i+# are am)+ications( as( for instance(
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the fo++o$in* -
No> erat( et )+acidum car)eant fessa so)orem
Cor)ora )er terras( si+%ceJue et sae%a Juierunt
A5Juora H Juum media %o+%untur sidera +a)su H
6uum facet omnis a*er( )ecudes()ietaeJue %o+ucres H
6uaeJue +acus +ate +iJuidos( JuaeJue as)era dumis
Rura tenant( somno )ositae su nocte si+enti
Leniant curas( et corda o+ita +aorum -
At non infe+i> animi Phcenissa"
T$as dead of ni*ht( $hen $ear' odies c+ose
Their e'es in a+m' s+ee) and soft re)ose-
The $inds no +on*er $his)er throu*h the $oods(
Nor murmurin* tides distur the *ent+e oodsH
The stars in si+ent order mo%ed around(
And )eace( $ith do$n' $in*s( $as roodin* on the *round"
:G9 Phi+oso)hica+
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The oc=s and herds( and )arti7co+ored fo$+(
Which haunt the $oods and s$im the $eed' )oo+(
Stretched on the Juiet earth secure+' +a'"
For*ettin* the )ast +aors of the da'"
A++ e+se of Natures common *ift )arta=eH
/nha))' Dido $as a+one a$a=e" DR4DEN"
If the +on* descri)tion of the rei*n of s+ee)
throu*hout a++ nature did not form an admira+e con7
trast $ith the crue+ inJuietude of Dido( these +ines
$ou+d e no other than a )ueri+e am)+ication H it is
the $ords At non infe+i> animi Phanissa #/n7
ha))' Dido(# etc"( $hich *i%e them their charm"
That eautifu+ ode of Sa))hos $hich )aints a++
the s'm)toms of +o%e( and $hich has een ha))i+'
trans+ated into e%er' cu+ti%ated +an*ua*e( $ou+d
dout+ess ha%e een +ess touchin* had Sa))ho een
s)ea=in* of an' other than herse+fH it mi*ht then
ha%e een considered as an am)+ication"
The descri)tion of the tem)est in the rst oo= of
the #'neid# is not an am)+icationH it is a true
)icture of a++ that ha))ens in a tem)estH there is
no idea re)eated( and re)etition is the %ice of a++
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$hich is mere+' am)+ication"
The nest )art on the sta*e in an' +an*ua*e is
that of Phedre PhaedraQ" Near+' a++ that she sa's
$ou+d e tiresome am)+ication if an' other $as
s)ea=in* of Phaedras )assion"
Athenes me montra mon su)ere ennemie H
.e +e iis(Me rousts( Me )+Uis( a sa %ueH
/n trou+e st+e%a dans mon dme t'erdue H
0es'eu> ne %o'aient )+us(Me ne )ou%ais )ar+er(
.e sen t is tout mon cor)s et transir et ru+er H
.e reconnus Venus et ses traits rddouta+es(
Dun san* *ue++e )oursuit tormens ine%ita+es"
Dictionar'" :G;
4esH Athens sho$ed me m' )roud enem'H
I sa$ him +ushed turned )a+eH
A sudden trou+e came u)on m' sou+(
0' e'es *re$ dim m' ton*ue refused its oce(
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I urned and shi%eredH throu*h m' trem+in* frame
Venus in a++ her dreadfu+ )o$er I fe+t(
Shootin* throu*h e%er' %ein a se)arate )an*"
It is Juite c+ear that since Athens sho$ed her her
)roud enem' &i))o+'tus( she sa$ &i))o+'tusH if
she +ushed and turned )a+e( she $as dout+ess
trou+ed" It $ou+d ha%e een a )+eonasm( a redun7
danc'( if a stran*er had een made to re+ate the +o%es
of PhaedraH ut it is Phaedra( enamored and
ashamed of her )assion her heart is fu++ e%er'7
thin* esca)es her -
/t %tdt( ut )erii( ut me ma+us astu+it error"
.e +e %is t Me rou*is(Me)d+is( a so( %ue"
I sa$ him +ushed turned )a+e"
What can e a etter imitation of Vir*i+
0es 'eu> ne 7uo'aient)+us(Me ne )ou%ais )ar+er H
.e sentis tout man cor)s et transir et rd+er H
0' e'es *re$ dim m' ton*ue refused its oceH
I urned and shi%eredH
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What can e a ner imitation of Sa))ho
These +ines( thou*h imitated( o$ as from their
rst sourceH each $ord mo%es and )enetrates the
fee+in* heart H this is not am)+ication H it is the
)erfection of nature and of art"
The fo++o$in* is( in m' o)inion( an instance of
am)+ication( in a modern tra*ed'( $hich ne%erthe7
+ess has *reat eauties" T'deus is at the court of
Ar*osH he is in +o%e $ith a sister of E+ectraH he
+aments the fa++ of his friend Orestes and of his
father H he is di%ided et$i>t his )assion for E+ectra
: < Phi+oso)hica+
and his desire of %en*eance H $hi+e in this state of
care and )er)+e>it' he *i%es one of his fo++o$ers a
+on* descri)tion of a tem)est( in $hich he had een
shi)$rec=ed some time efore"
Tu sats ce Juen ces +ieu> nous %enions entre)rendre H
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Tu sais Jue Pa+amede( a%ant Jue de s' rendre
Ne %ou+ut )oint tenter son retour dans Ar*os(
6ui+ rieut interro*e F orac+e de Dt+os"
A de siMustes soins on souscri'it sans )eine H
Nous )ar times( comtts des ienfaits de Th'rrene H
Tout nous fa%orisait H nous %o'a*eUmes +on*tems
A u *r de nos ddsirs( ien )+us Juau *rt des %ents H
0ais( si*na+ant ientot toute son inconstance(
Le mer en un moment se mutine et fe+ance H
Lair mu*it( +e Mourfuit( une d)aisse ita)eur
Cou%re dun %oi+e areu> +es 7%a*ues enfureurH
Laf)udre( tc+airante seu+e une nuit si)rofonde(
A si++ons redou+es ou%re +e de+ et Ionde(
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Et comme un touri++on( emrassant nos %aisseait>(
Sem+e en sources de feu oui++onner sur +es eau> H
Les %a*ues Jue+Juefois( nous )ortant sur +eurs cimes(
Nous font rou+er a)res sous de %astes atmes(
Ou +es Ec+airs )resses( )ene#trans a%ec nous(
Dans des *oures defeu sem+aient nous P +on*er tous H
Le )i+ote era't( Jue +aamme en%ironne(
Au> roc=ers Jui+ fu'ait +ui7meme saandonne H
A tra%ers +es dcuei+s notre %aisseau )ousse(
Se rise( et na*e enn sur +es eau> dis)erstes"
Thou =no$est $hat )ur)ose rou*ht us to these shoresH
Thou =no$est that Pa+amed $ou+d not attem)t
A*ain to set his foot $ithin these $a++s
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/nti+ hed Juestioned De+os, orac+e"
To his Must care $e readi+' suscriedH
We sai+ed( and fa%orin* *a+es at rst a))eared
To announce a )ros)erous %o'a*eH
Lon* time $e he+d our course( and he+d it rather
As our desires than as the $inds im)e++edH
!ut the inconstant ocean hea%ed at +ast
Its treacherous osomH ho$+in* +asts aroseH
The hea%ens $ere dar=enedH %a)ors +ac= and dense
S)read oer the furious $a%es a fri*htfu+ %ei+(
Pierced on+' ' the thundero+ts( $hich c+o%e
The $aters and the rmament at once(
And $hir+in* round our shi)( in horrid s)ort
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Chased one another oer the oi+in* sur*eH
Dictionar'" ::
No$ rose $e on some $ater' mountains summit(
No$ $ith the +i*htnin* )+un*ed into a *u+f
That seemed to s$a++o$ a++" Our )i+ot( struc=
Po$er+ess ' terror( ceased to steer( and +eft us
Aandoned to those roc=s $e dreaded mostH
Soon did our %esse+ dash u)on their )oints(
And s$im in scattered fra*ments on the i++o$s"
In this descri)tion $e see the )oet $ishin* to sur7
)rise his readers $ith the re+ation of a shi)$rec=(
rather than the man $ho see=s to a%en*e his father
and his friend to =i++ the t'rant of Ar*os( ut $ho
is at the same time di%ided et$een +o%e and %en7
*eance"
Se%era+ men of taste( and amon* others the author
of #Te+emachus(# ha%e considered the re+ation
of the death of &i))o+'tus( in Racine( as an am)+i7
cation H +on* recita+s $ere the fashion at that time"
The %anit' of actors ma=e them $ish to e +istened
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to( and it $as then the custom to indu+*e them in
this $a'" The archisho) of Camra' sa's that
Theramenes shou+d not( after &i))o+'tus catastro7
)he( ha%e stren*th to s)ea= so +on*H that he *i%es
too am)+e a descri)tion of the monsters threatenin*
horns( his saron sca+es( etc"H that he shou+d sa' in
ro=en accents( &i))o+'tus is dead a monster has
destro'ed him ehe+d it"
I sha++ not enter on a defence of the threatenin*
horns( etc" H 'et this )iece of criticism( $hich has
een so often re)eated( a))ears to me to e unMust"
4ou $ou+d ha%e Theramenes sa' nothin* more than
&i))o+'tus is =i++ed sa$ him die a++ is o%er"
This is )recise+' $hat he does sa' H &i))o+'te nest
:? Phi+oso)hica+
)+us &i))o+'tus is no moreQ &is father e>7
c+aims a+oudH and Theramenes( on reco%erin* his
senses( sa's -
fat %u des morte+s )trir +e )+us amia+e(
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ha%e seen the most amia+e of morta+s )erish(
and adds this +ine( so necessar' and so aectin* 'et
so a*oni1in* for Theseus -
Etfose dire encore( Sei*neur( +e mains cou)a+e"
And( Sire( I ma' tru+' add( the most innocent"
The *radations are fu++' oser%ed H each shade
is accurate+' distin*uished" The $retched father
as=s $hat od $hat sudden thunder7stro=e has
de)ri%ed him of his son" &e has not coura*e to
)roceed H he is mute $ith *rief H he a$aits the dread7
fu+ recita+( and the audience a$aits it a+so" Thera7
menes must ans$er H he is as=ed for )articu+ars H he
must *i%e them"
Was it for him $ho had made 0entor and a++ the
rest of his )ersona*es discourse at such +en*th( some7
times e%en tedious+'H $as it for him to shut the
mouth of Theramenes Who amon* the s)ectators
$ou+d not +isten to him Who $ou+d not enMo' the
me+ancho+' )+easure of hearin* the circumstance of
&i))o+'tus death Who $ou+d ha%e so much as
three +ines struc= out This is no %ain descri)tion
of a storm unconnected $ith the )iece H no i++7$ritten
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am)+icationH it is the )urest diction( the most
aectin* +an*ua*e H in short( it is Racine" Am)+i7
cation( dec+amation( and e>a**eration $ere at a++
Dictionar'" : 3
times the fau+ts of the ree=s( e>ce)tin* Demos7
thenes and Aristot+e"
There ha%e een asurd )ieces of )oetr' on $hich
time has set the stam) of a+most uni%ersa+ a))roa7
tion( ecause the' $ere mi>ed $ith ri++iant ashes
$hich thre$ a *+are o%er their im)erfections( or e7
cause the )oets $ho came after$ard did nothin*
etter" The rude e*innin*s of e%er' art acJuire a
*reater ce+erit' than the art in )erfection H he $ho
rst )+a'ed the dd+e $as +oo=ed u)on as a demi7
*od( $hi+e Rameau had on+' enemies" In ne( men(
*enera++' *oin* $ith the stream( se+dom Mud*e for
themse+%es( and )urit' of taste is a+most as rare as
ta+ent"
At the )resent da'( most of our sermons( funera+
orations( set discourses( and haran*ues in certain
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ceremonies( are tedious am)+ications strin*s of
common)+ace e>)ressions re)eated a*ain and a*ain
a thousand times" These discourses are on+' su)7
)orta+e $hen rare+' heard" Wh' s)ea= $hen 'ou
ha%e nothin* ne$ to sa' It is hi*h time to )ut a
sto) to this e>cessi%e $aste of $ords( and therefore
$e conc+ude our artic+e"
ANCIENTS AND 0ODERNS"
T&E *reat cause of the ancients %ersus the
moderns is not 'et dis)osed of H it has een at issue
e%er since the si+%er a*e( $hich succeeded the *o+den
one" 0en ha%e a+$a's )retended that the *ood o+d
times $ere much etter than the )resent" Nestor( in
: G Phi+oso)hica+
the #I+iad(# $ishin* to insinuate himse+f( +i=e a $ise
mediator( into the *ood o)inion of Achi++es and
A*amemnon( e*ins $ith sa'in* - #I ha%e +i%ed $ith
etter men than 'ou H ne%er ha%e I seen( nor sha++ I
e%er see a*ain( such *reat )ersona*es as Dr' as(
Cseneus( E>adius( Po+')hemus eJua+ to the *ods(#
etc" Posterit' has made am)+e amends to Achi++es
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for Nestors ad com)+iment( so %ain+' admired '
those $ho admire nothin* ut $hat is ancient" Who
=no$s an'thin* aout Dr' as We ha%e scarce+'
heard of E>adius or of CceneusH and as for Po+'7
)hemus eJua+ to the *ods( he has no %er' hi*h re)u7
tation( un+ess( indeed( there $as somethin* di%ine in
his ha%in* a *reat e'e in the midd+e of his forehead(
and eatin* the ra$ carcasses of man=ind"
Lucretius does not hesitate to sa' that nature has
de*enerated -
I)sa dedit du+ces fcetus et )au+a +oeta(
6ua nunc %i> nostro *randescunt aucta +aorsH
ConterimusJue o%es( et %ires a*rico+arum( etc"
AntiJuit' is fu++ of the )raises of another an7
tiJuit' sti++ more remote -
Les homines( en tout terns( ont )ensd 'u autrefois(
De +on*s ruisseau> de +ait ser)entaient dans nos ois H
La +une ttait )+us *rande( et +a nuit mains oscure H
L=i%er se couronnait de eurs et de #%erdureH
Se contem)+ait a raise( admirait son ne#ant(
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Et( forme )our a*ir( se )+aisait a rienfaire( etc"
0en ha%e( in e%er' a*e( e+ie%ed that once
Lon* streams of mi+= ran $indin* throu*h the $oodsH
The moon $as +ar*er and the ni*ht +ess dar=H
Winter $as cro$ned $ith o$ers and trod on %erdureH
0an( the $or+ds =in*( had nothin* e+se to do
Than contem)+ate his utter $orth+essness(
And( formed for action( too= de+i*ht in s+oth( etc"
Dictionar'" :
&orace comats this )reMudice $ith eJua+ force
and address in his ne e)ist+e to Au*ustus" #0ust
our )oems( then(# sa's he( #e +i=e our $ines( of
$hich the o+dest are a+$a's )referred # &e after7
$ard sa's -
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Indi*nor JuidJuam re)rehendi( non Juia crasse
Com)ositum i++e)ide%e )utetur( sed Juia nu)er H
Nee %eniam antiJuis( sed honorem et )rcsmia )osci"
In*eniis non i++e fa%et )+auditJue se)u+tis(
Nostra sed im)u*nat( nos nostraJue +i%idus odit"
I fee+ m' honest indi*nation rise(
When( $ith aected air( a co>com cries-
#The $or=( I o$n( has e+e*ance and ease(
!ut sure no modern shou+d )resume to )+ease#H
Thus for his fa%orite ancients dares to c+aim(
Not )ardon on+'( ut re$ards and fame"
Not to the i++ustrious dead his homa*e )a's(
!ut en%ious ros the +i%in* of their )raise" FRANCIS"
On this suMect the +earned and in*enious Fon7
tene++e e>)resses himse+f thus -
#The $ho+e of the Juestion of )re7eminence e7
t$een the ancients and moderns( ein* once $e++ un7
derstood( reduces itse+f to this- Were the trees
$hich former+' *re$ in the countr' +ar*er than
those of the )resent da' If the' $ere( &omer(
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P+ato( and Demosthenes cannot e eJua++ed in these
+atter a*es H ut if our trees are as +ar*e as those
of former times( then can $e eJua+ &omer( P+ato(
and Demosthenes"
#!ut to c+ear u) the )arado> - If the ancients had
stron*er minds than ourse+%es( it must ha%e een that
the rains of those times $ere etter dis)osed( $ere
:XB Phi+oso)hica+
formed of rmer or more de+icate res( or con7
tained a +ar*er )ortion of anima+ s)irits" !ut ho$
shou+d the rains of those times ha%e een etter dis7
)osed &ad such een the case( the +ea%es $ou+d
+i=e$ise ha%e een +ar*er and more eautifu+ H for if
nature $as then more 'outhfu+ and %i*orous( the
trees( as $e++ as the rains of men( $ou+d ha%e orne
testimon' to that 'outh and %i*or"#
With our i++ustrious academicians +ea%e( this is
' no means the state of the Juestion" It is not
as=ed $hether nature can at the )resent da' )roduce
as *reat *eniuses( and as *ood $or=s( as those of
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ree= and Latin antiJuit'( ut $hether $e rea++'
ha%e such" It is dout+ess )ossi+e that there are
oa=s in the forest of Chanti++' as +ar*e as those of
DodonaH ut su))osin* that the oa=s of Dodona
cou+d ta+=( it is Juite c+ear that the' had a *reat ad7
%anta*e o%er ours( $hich( it is )roa+e( $i++ ne%er
ta+="
La 0otte( a man of $it and ta+ent( $ho has
merited a))+ause in more than one =ind of $ritin*(
has( in an ode fu++ of ha))' +ines( ta=en the )art of
the moderns" We *i%e one of his stan1as -
Et )ourJuoi %eut7on Jue fencense
Ces )retendus Dieu> dontMe sors
En moi +a meme inte++i*ence
Fait mou%oir +es memes ressorts"
Croit7on +a nature i1arre(
Pour nous auM our d hui )+us a%are
6ue )our +es recs et +es Remains
De nos acnes mere ido+Utre(
Nest7e++e )+us Jue +a mardtre
Dure et *rossiere des humains
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Dictionar'" :@
And )ra'( $h' must I end the =nee
To these )retended ods of ours
The same inte++i*ence in me
i%es %i*or to the se+f7same )o$ers"
Thin= 'e that nature is ca)ricious(
Or to$ards us more a%aricious
Than to our ree= and Roman sires
To them an ido+i1in* mother(
Whi+e in their chi+dren she $ou+d smother
The s)ar=s of inte++ectua+ res
&e mi*ht e ans$ered thus- Esteem 'our an7
cestors( $ithout adorin* them" 4ou ha%e inte++i7
*ence and )o$ers of in%ention( as Vir*i+ and &orace
hadH ut )erha)s it is not aso+ute+' the same in7
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te++i*ence" Perha)s their ta+ents $ere su)erior to
'ours H the' e>ercised them( too( in a +an*ua*e richer
and more harmonious than our modern ton*ues(
$hich are a mi>ture of corru)ted Latin( $ith the
horri+e Mar*on of the Ce+ts"
Nature is not ca)riciousH ut it is )ossi+e that
she had *i%en the Athenians a soi+ and s=' etter
ada)ted than West)ha+ia and the Limousin to the
formation of *eniuses of a certain order" It is a+so
+i=e+' that the *o%ernment of Athens( secondin* the
fa%ora+e c+imate( )ut ideas into the head of Demos7
thenes $hich the air of C+amar and La renoui++ere
comined $ith the *o%ernment of Cardina+ de Riche7
+ieu( did not )ut into the heads of Omer Ta+on and
.erome !i*non"
Some one ans$ered La 0ottes +ines ' the fo+7
+o$in* -
Cher +a 0otte( imite et re%+re
Ces Dieu> dont tu ne descends )asH
Si tu crois *u &orace est ton )ere(
II a fait des enfans in*rats"
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:9 Phi+oso)hica+
La nature riest )oint i1arre H
Pour Danchet e++e est fort a%are(
0ais Racine enfut ien traite# H
Tiu++e e#tait *uide# Par e++e(
0ais )our notre ami La Cha)e++e(
&e# +as Jue++e a)eu de onte#
Re%ere and imitate( La 0otte(
Those ods from $hom thourt not descendedH
If thou ' &orace i%ert e*ot(
&is chi+drens manners mi*ht e mended"
Nature is not at a++ ca)riciousH
To Danchet she is a%aricious(
!ut she $as +iera+ to RacineH
She used Tiu++us %er' $e++(
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Dictionar'" : ;
Chinese nor the E*')tians cou+d ha%e made a sin*+e
statue +i=e those formed ' our +i%in* scu+)tors"
Sir Wi++iam Tem)+e( $ho made a )oint of de7
*radin* the moderns( asserts that the' ha%e nothin*
in architecture that can e com)ared to the tem)+es
of reece and RomeH ut( En*+ishman as he $as(
he shou+d ha%e admitted that St" Peters at Rome is
incom)ara+' more eautifu+ than the ca)ito+"
There is somethin* curious in the assurance $ith
$hich he asserts that there is nothin* ne$ in our as7
tronom'( nor in our =no$+ed*e of the human od'(
e>ce)t( sa's he( it e the circu+ation of the +ood" The
+o%e of his o)inion( founded on his e>treme se+f7+o%e(
ma=es him for*et the disco%er' of .u)iters sate++ites(
of Saturns %e moons and rin*( of the suns rotation
on his a>is( the ca+cu+ation of the )ositions of three
thousand stars( the de%e+o)ment ' Ke)+er and Ne$7
ton of the +a$ ' $hich the hea%en+' odies are *o%7
erned( and the =no$+ed*e of a thousand other thin*s
of $hich the ancients did not e%en sus)ect the )ossi7
i+it'" The disco%eries in anatom' ha%e een no +ess
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numerous" A ne$ uni%erse in miniature( disco%ered
' the microsco)e( $ent as nothin* $ith Sir Wi++iam
Tem)+e H he c+osed his e'es to the $onders of his con7
tem)oraries( and o)ened them on+' to admire ancient
i*norance"
&e e%en *oes so far as to re*ret that $e ha%e
nothin* +eft of the ma*ic of the Indians( Cha+dseans(
and E*')tians" !' this ma*ic( he understands a
)rofound =no$+ed*e of nature( $hich ena+ed them
: B< Phi+oso)hica+
to $or= mirac+es of $hich( ho$e%er( he does not
mention one( ecause the truth is that the' ne%er
$or=ed an'" #What(# sa's he( #has ecome of the
charms of that music $hich so often enchanted men
and easts( shes( irds( and ser)ents( and e%en
chan*ed their nature # This enem' to his o$n times
e+ie%ed im)+icit+' in the fa+e of #Or)heus(# and( it
shou+d seem( had ne%er heard of the ne music of
Ita+'( nor e%en of that of France( $hich do not
charm ser)ents( it is true( ut $hich do charm the
ears of the connoisseur"
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It is sti++ more stran*e that( ha%in* a++ his +ife
cu+ti%ated the e++es7+ettres( he reasons no etter on
our *ood authors than on our )hi+oso)hers" &e con7
siders Rae+ais a *reat man( and s)ea=s of #+es
Amours des au+es# #The Lo%es of the au+s#Q( as
one of his est $or=s" &e $as( ne%erthe+ess( a
+earned man( a courtier( a man of considera+e $it(
and an amassador( $ho had made )rofound re7
ections on a++ that he had seen H he )ossessed *reat
=no$+ed*e H one )reMudice suced to render a++ this
merit una%ai+in*"
!oi+eau and Racine( $hen $ritin* in fa%or of the
ancients a*ainst Perrau+t( sho$ed more address
than Sir Wi++iam Tem)+e" The' =ne$ etter than
to touch on astronom' and )h'sica+ science" !oi+eau
see=s on+' to %indicate &omer a*ainst Perrau+t( at
the same time *+idin* adroit+' o%er the fau+ts of the
ree= )oet( and the s+umer $ith $hich &orace
re)roaches him" &e stro%e to turn Perrau+t( the
Dictionar'" :B:
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enem' of &omer( into ridicu+e" Where%er Perrau+t
misunderstands a )assa*e( or renders inaccurate+' a
)assa*e $hich he understands( !oi+eau( sei1in* this
+itt+e ad%anta*e( fa++s u)on him +i=e a redouta+e
enem'( and eats him as an i*noramus a du++
$riter" !ut it is not at a++ im)roa+e that Perrau+t(
thou*h often mista=en( $as freJuent+' ri*ht in his
remar=s on the contradictions( the re)etitions( the
uniformit' of the comats( the +on* haran*ues in
the midst of them( the indecent and inconsistent con7
duct of the *ods in the )oem in short( on a++ the
errors into $hich this *reat )oet is asserted to ha%e
fa++en" In a $ord( !oi+eau ridicu+es Perrau+t much
more than he Musties &omer"
Racine used the same artice( for he $as at +east
as ma+i*nant as !oi+eau" A+thou*h he did not( +i=e
the +atter( ma=e his fortune ' satire( he enMo'ed the
)+easure of confoundin* his enemies on the occasion
of a sma++ and %er' )ardona+e mista=e into $hich
the' had fa++en res)ectin* Euri)ides( and( at the
same time( of fee+in* much su)erior to Euri)ides
himse+f" &e ra++ies the same Perrau+t and his )ar7
tisans u)on their critiJue on the A+ceste of Euri)ides(
ecause these *ent+emen had unfortunate+' een de7
cei%ed ' a fau+t' edition of Euri)ides( and had ta=en
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some re)+ies of Admetus for those of A+cesteH ut
Euri)ides does not the +ess a))ear in a++ countries to
ha%e done %er' $ron* in ma=in* Admetus use such
e>traordinar' +an*ua*e to his father( $hom he %io7
+ent+' re)roaches for not ha%in* died for him -
Vo+" ii
: B? Phi+oso)hica+
#&o$ # re)+ies the =in*( his father H #$hom( )ra'(
are 'ou addressin* so hau*hti+' Some L'dian or
Phr'*ian s+a%e Kno$ 'ou not that I am free( and
a Thessa+ian Fine +an*ua*e( tru+'( for a =in* and
a father Q 4ou insu+t me as if I $ere the meanest of
men" Where is the +a$ $hich sa's fathers must die
for their chi+dren Each for himse+f here e+o$" I
ha%e fu+++ed a++ m' o+i*ations to$ard 'ou" In
$hat( then( do I $ron* 'ou Do I as= 'ou to die
for me The +i*ht is dear to 'ou H is it +ess so to
me 4ou accuse me of co$ardice Co$ard that
'ou 'ourse+f are 4ou $ere not ashamed to ur*e
'our $ife to sa%e 'ou( ' d'in* for 'ou" After this(
does it ecome 'ou to treat as co$ards those $ho re7
fuse to do for 'ou $hat 'ou ha%e not the coura*e to
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do 'ourse+f !e+ie%e me( 'ou ou*ht rather to e
si+ent" 4ou +o%e +ife H others +o%e it no +ess" !e as7
sured that if 'ou continue to ause me( 'ou sha++
ha%e re)roaches( and not fa+se ones( in return"#
&e is here interru)ted ' the chorus( $ith-
#Enou*h Too much on oth sides O+d man( cease
this i++ +an*ua*e to$ard 'our son"#
One $ou+d thin= that the chorus shou+d rather
*i%e the son a se%ere re)rimand for s)ea=in* in so
ruta+ a manner to his father"
A++ the rest of the scene is in the same st'+e -
Pheres to his sonQ" Thou s)ea=est a*ainst th'
father( $ithout his ha%in* inMured thee"
Admetus" Oh I am $e++ a$are that 'ou $ish
to +i%e as +on* as )ossi+e"
Dictionar'" : B3
Pheres" And art thou not carr'in* to the tom
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her $ho died for thee
Admetus" Ah most infamous of men Tis the
)roof of th' co$ardice
Pheres" At +east( thou canst not sa' she died
for me"
Admetus" Wou+d to hea%en that thou $ert in a
situation to need m' assistance
Pheres" Thou $ou+dst do etter to thin= of mar7
r'in* se%era+ $i%es( $ho ma' die that th' +ife ma'
e +en*thened"
After this scene a domestic comes and ta+=s to
himse+f aout the arri%a+ of &ercu+es"
#A stran*er(# sa's he( #o)ens the door of his
o$n accordH )+aces himse+f $ithout more ado at
ta+eH is an*r' ecause he is not ser%ed Juic=
enou*h H ++s his cu) e%er' moment $ith $ine( and
drin=s +on* drau*hts of red and of $hite H constant+'
sin*in*( or rather ho$+in*( ad son*s( $ithout *i%7
in* himse+f an' concern aout the =in* and his $ife(
for $hom $e are mournin*" &e is( dout+ess( some
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cunnin* ro*ue( some %a*aond( or assassin"#
It seems some$hat stran*e that &ercu+es shou+d
e ta=en for a cunnin* ro*ue( and no +ess so that
&ercu+es( the friend of Admetus( shou+d e un7
=no$n to the househo+d" It is sti++ more e>traordi7
nar' that &ercu+es shou+d e i*norant of A+cestes
death( at the %er' time $hen the' $ere carr'in* her
to her tom"
Tastes must not e dis)uted( ut such scenes as(
: BG Phi+oso)hica+
these $ou+d( assured+'( not e to+erated at one of
our countr' fairs"
!rumo'( $ho has *i%en us the Theatre des recs
ree= TheatreQ( ut has not trans+ated Euri)ides
$ith scru)u+ous de+it'( does a++ he can to Mustif' the
scene of Admetus and his father- the ar*ument he
ma=es use of is rather sin*u+ar"
First( he sa's( that #there $as nothin* oensi%e
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to the ree=s in these thin*s $hich $e re*ard as hor7
ri+e and indecent( therefore it must e admitted that
the' $ere not e>act+' $hat $e ta=e them to ha%e
een( in short( ideas ha%e chan*ed"# To this it ma'
e ans$ered that the ideas of )o+ished nations on the
res)ect due from chi+dren to their fathers ha%e ne%er
chan*ed" &e adds( #Who can dout that in dierent
a*es ideas ha%e chan*ed re+ati%e to )oints of mora+it'
of sti++ *reater im)ortance# We ans$er( that there
are scarce+' an' )oints of *reater im)ortance"
#A Frenchman(# continues he( #is insu+tedH the
)retended *ood sense of the French o+i*es him to
run the ris= of a due+( and to =i++ or e =i++ed( in order
to reco%er his honor"# We ans$er( that it is not the
)retended *ood sense of the French a+one( ut of a++
the nations of Euro)e $ithout e>ce)tion" &e )ro7
ceeds -
#The $or+d in *enera+ cannot e fu++' sensi+e
ho$ ridicu+ous this ma>im $i++ a))ear t$o thousand
'ears hence( nor ho$ it $ou+d ha%e een scoed at
in the time of Euri)ides"# This ma>im is crue+ and
fata+( ut it is not ridicu+ousH nor $ou+d it ha%e een
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Dictionar'" :B
in an' $a' scoed at in the time of Euri)ides" There
$ere man' instances of due+s amon* the Asiatics" In
the %er' commencement of the rst oo= of the
#I+iad(# $e see Achi++es ha+f unsheathin* his s$ord(
and read' to *ht A*amemnon( had not 0iner%a
ta=en him ' the hair and made him desist"
P+utarch re+ates that &e)haestion and Craterus
$ere *htin* a due+( ut $ere se)arated ' A+e>7
ander" 6uintus Curtius te++s us that t$o other of
A+e>anders ocers fou*ht a due+ in the )resence of
A+e>ander( one of them armed at a++ )oints( the other(
$ho $as a $rest+er( su))+ied on+' $ith a sta( and
that the +atter o%ercame his ad%ersar'" !esides(
$hat has due++in* to do $ith Admetus and his father
Pheres( re)roachin* each other ' turns( $ith ha%in*
too *reat a +o%e for +ife( and $ith ein* co$ards
I sha++ *i%e on+' this one instance of the +indness
of trans+ators and commentators H for if !rumo'( the
most im)artia+ of a++( has fa++en into such errors( $hat
are $e to e>)ect from others I $ou+d( ho$e%er(
as= the !rumo's and the Daciers( if the' nd much
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sa+t in the +an*ua*e $hich Euri)ides )uts into the
mouth of Po+')hemus - #I fear not the thunder of
.u)iterH I =no$ not that .u)iter is a )rouder or a
stron*er *od than m'se+fH I care %er' +itt+e aout
him" If he sends do$n rain( I shut m'se+f u) in m'
ca%ern H there I eat a roasted ca+f or some $i+d ani7
ma+( after $hich I +ie do$n a++ m' +en*th( drin= o
a *reat )otfu+ of mi+=( and send forth a certain noise(
$hich is as *ood as his thunder"#
: BB Phi+oso)hica+
The schoo+men cannot ha%e %er' ne noses if the'
are not dis*usted $ith the noise $hich Po+')hemus
ma=es $hen he has eaten hearti+'"
The' sa' that the Athenian )it +au*hed at this
)+easantr'( and that the Athenians ne%er +au*hed at
an'thin* stu)id" So the $ho+e )o)u+ace of Athens
had more $it than the court of Louis 8IV"( and the
)o)u+ace are not the same e%er'$here
Ne%erthe+ess( Euri)ides has eauties( and So)ho7
c+es sti++ more H ut the' ha%e much *reater defects"
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We ma' %enture to sa' that the ne scenes of Cor7
nei++e and the aectin* tra*edies of Racine are as
much su)erior to the tra*edies of So)hoc+es and Eu7
ri)ides( as these t$o ree=s $ere to Thes)is" Racine
$as Juite sensi+e of his *reat su)eriorit' o%er Eu7
ri)ides( ut he )raised the ree= )oet for the sa=e of
hum+in* Perrau+t"
0o+iere( in his est )ieces( is as su)erior to the
)ure ut co+d Terence( and to the uoon Aristo)h7
anes( as to the merr'7andre$ Dancourt"
Thus there are thin*s in $hich the moderns are
su)erior to the ancientsH and others( thou*h %er'
fe$( in $hich $e are their inferiors" The $ho+e of
the dis)ute reduces itse+f to this fact"
Certain Com)arisons et$een Ce+erated Wor=s"
!oth taste and reason seem to reJuire that $e
shou+d( in an ancient as $e++ as in a modern( discrim7
inate et$een the *ood and the ad that are often to
e found in contact $ith each other"
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Dictionar'" :B@
The $armest admiration must e e>cited ' that
+ine of Cornei++es( uneJua++ed ' an' in &omer( in
So)hoc+es( or in Euri)ides -
6ue 7%ou+ie17%ous Jui+t contre trots 6ui+ mourUt"
What cou+d he do a*ainst three $ea)ons Die"
And( $ith eJua+ Mustice( the +ine that fo++o$s $i++
e condemned"
The man of taste( $hi+e he admires the su+ime
)icture( the stri=in* contrasts of character and stron*
co+orin* in the +ast scene of Rodo*'ne( $i++ )ercei%e
ho$ man' fau+ts( ho$ man' im)roai+ities( ha%e
)re)ared the $a' for this terri+e situation ho$
much Rodo*'ne has e+ied her character( and '
$hat croo=ed $a's it is necessar' to )ass to this
*reat and tra*ica+ catastro)he"
The same eJuita+e Mud*e $i++ not fai+ to do Mus7
tice to the ne and artfu+ conte>ture of Racines
tra*edies( the on+' ones( )erha)s( that ha%e een $e++
$rou*ht from the time of Esch'+us do$n to the
a*e of Louis 8IV" &e $i++ e touched ' that con7
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tinued e+e*ance( that )urit' of +an*ua*e( that truth
of character( to e found in him on+' H ' that *ran7
deur $ithout omast( that de+it' to nature $hich
ne%er $anders in %ain dec+amations( so)histica+ dis7
)utes( fa+se and far7fetched ima*es( often e>)ressed
in so+ecisms or rhetorica+ )+eadin*s( tter for )ro7
%incia+ schoo+s than for a tra*ed'" The same )erson
$i++ disco%er $ea=ness and uniformit' in some of
Racines charactersH and in others( *a++antr' and
sometimes e%en coJuetr'H he $i++ nd dec+arations
: B9 Phi+oso)hica+
of +o%e reathin* more of the id'+ and the e+e*'( than
of a *reat dramatic )assion H and $i++ com)+ain that
more than one $e++7$ritten )iece has e+e*ance to
)+ease( ut not e+oJuence to mo%e him" .ust so $i++
he Mud*e of the ancients H not ' their names not
' the a*e in $hich the' +i%ed ut ' their $or=s
themse+%es"
Su))ose Timanthes the )ainter $ere at this da'
to come and )resent to us( ' the side of the )aint7
in*s in the Pa+ais Ro'a+( his )icture in four co+ors
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of the #Sacrice of I)hi*enia(# te++in* us that men
of Mud*ment in reece had assured him that it $as
an admira+e artice to %ei+ the face of A*amemnon(
+est his *rief shou+d a))ear to eJua+ that of C+'tem7
nestra( and the tears of the father dishonor the
maMest' of the monarch" &e $ou+d nd connois7
seurs $ho $ou+d re)+' it is a stro=e of in*enuit'(
ut not of )aintin* H a %ei+ on the head of 'our )rin7
ci)a+ )ersona*e has a fri*htfu+ eectH 'our art has
fai+ed 'ou" !eho+d the master)iece of Ruens( $ho
has succeeded in e>)ressin* in the countenance of
0ar' of 0edicis the )ain attendant on chi+dirth
the Mo'( the smi+e( the tenderness not $ith four
co+ors( ut $ith e%er' tint of nature" If 'ou $ished
that A*amemnon shou+d )art+' concea+ his face( 'ou
shou+d ha%e made him hide a )ortion of it ' )+acin*
his hands o%er his e'es and forehead H and not $ith
a %ei+( $hich is as disa*reea+e to the e'e( and as un7
)icturesJue( as it is contrar' to a++ costume" 4ou
shou+d then ha%e sho$n some fa++in* tears that
Dictionar'" :B;
the hero $ou+d concea+( and ha%e e>)ressed in his
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musc+es the con%u+sions of a *rief $hich he stru*7
*+es to su))ress H 'ou shou+d ha%e )ainted in this
attitude maMest' and des)air" 4ou are a ree=( and
Ruens is a !e+*ianH ut the !e+*ian ears a$a'
the )a+m"
On a Passa*e in &omer"
A F+orentine( a man of +etters( of c+ear under7
standin* and cu+ti%ated taste( $as one da' in Lord
Chestere+ds +irar'( to*ether $ith an O>ford )ro7
fessor and a Scotchman( $ho $as oastin* of the
)oem of Fin*a+( com)osed( said he( in the ae+ic
ton*ue( $hich is sti++ )art+' that of Lo$er !rittan'"
#Ah# e>c+aimed he( #ho$ ne is antiJuit'H the
)oem of Fin*a+ has )assed from mouth to mouth for
near+' t$o thousand 'ears( do$n to us( $ithout an'
a+teration" Such )o$er has rea+ eaut' o%er the
minds of men # &e then read to the com)an' the
commencement of Fin*a+ -
#Cuthu++in sat ' Taras $a++ H ' the tree of the
rust+in* sound" &is s)ear +eaned a*ainst a roc="
&is shie+d +a' on the *rass ' his side" Amid his
thou*hts of mi*ht' Carar( a hero s+ain ' the chief
in $ar( the scout of ocean comes( 0oran( the son of
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Fithi+
# Arise( sa's the 'outh( Cuthu++in( arise I see
the shi)s of the north man'( chief of men( are the
foeH man' the heroes of the sea7orn S$aran
0oran( re)+ied the +ue7e'ed chief( thou e%er trem7
+est( son of Fithi+ th' fears ha%e increased the foe"
iMo Phi+oso)hica+
It is Fin*a+( =in* of deserts( $ith aid to *reen Erin
of streams" I ehe+d their chief( sa's 0oran( ta++
as a *+itterin* roc=" &is s)ear is a +asted )ine" &is
shie+d the risin* moon &e sat on the shore( +i=e a
c+oud of mist on the si+ent hi++ # etc"
#That(# said the O>ford )rofessor( #is the true
st'+e of &omerH ut $hat )+eases me sti++ more is
that I nd in it the su+ime e+oJuence of the &e7
re$s" I cou+d fanc' m'se+f to e readin* )assa*es
such as these from those ne cantic+es -
# Thou sha+t rea= them $ith a rod of iron H thou
sha+t dash them in )ieces +i=e a )otters %esse+" Thou
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hast ro=en the teeth of the un*od+'" Then the
earth shoo= and trem+edH the foundation a+so of
the hi++s mo%ed and $ere sha=en ecause he $as
$roth" The Lord a+so thundered in the hea%ensH
and the &i*hest *a%e &is %oice hai+stones and coa+s
of re" In them hath &e set a taernac+e for the sun"
Which is as a ride*room comin* out of his cham7
er"
# !rea= their teeth in their mouth( O od H rea=
the *reat teeth of the 'oun* +ions( O Lord" Let
them )ass a$a' as $aters that run continua++'H
$hen he endeth his o$ to shoot his arro$s( +et
them e as cut in )ieces" As a snai+ $hich me+teth(
+et e%er' one of them )ass a$a'( +i=e the untime+'
irth of a $oman( that the' ma' not see the sun"
!efore 'our )ots can fee+ the thorns( he sha++ ta=e
them a$a' as in a $hir+$ind( oth +i%in*( and in his
$rath"
Dictionar'" :@:
# The' return at e%enin* H the' ma=e a noise +i=e
a do*" !ut Thou( O Lord( sha+t +au*h at themH
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Thou sha+t ha%e a++ the heathen in derision" Con7
sume them in $rath H consume them that the' ma'
not e"
# The hi++ of od is as the hi++ of !ashan( a hi*h
hi++ as the hi++ of !ashan" Wh' +ea) 'e( 'e hi*h
hi++s The Lord said I $i++ rin* a*ain from
!ashan( I $i++ rin* u) m' )eo)+e a*ain from the
de)ths of the sea H that th' feet ma' e di))ed in the
+ood of thine enemies( and the ton*ue of th' do*s
in the same"
# O)en th' mouth $ide and I $i++ ++ it" O m'
od( ma=e them +i=e a $hee+ H as the stu+e efore
the $ind" As the re urneth the $ood( and as the
ame setteth the mountains on reH so )ersecute
them $ith Th' tem)est and ma=e them afraid $ith
Th' storm"
# &e sha++ Mud*e amon* the heathen H he sha++
++ the )+aces $ith dead odies H &e sha++ $ound the
heads o%er man' countries" &a))' sha++ he e that
ta=eth and dasheth th' +itt+e ones a*ainst the
stones( # etc"
The F+orentine( ha%in* +istened $ith *reat atten7
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tion to the %erses of the cantic+es recited ' the doc7
tor( as $e++ as to the rst +ines of Fin*a+ e++o$ed
forth ' the Scotchman( confessed that he $as not
*reat+' mo%ed ' a++ these Eastern *ures( and that
he +i=ed the no+e sim)+icit' of Vir*i+s st'+e much
etter"
: @? Phi+oso)hica+
At these $ords the Scotchman turned )a+e $ith
$rath( the O>onian shru**ed his shou+ders $ith
)it'( ut Lord Chestere+d encoura*ed the F+oren7
tine ' a smi+e of a))roation"
The F+orentine( ecomin* $arm and ndin* him7
se+f su))orted( said to them - #ent+emen( nothin*
is more eas' than to do %io+ence to nature H nothin*
more dicu+t than to imitate her" I =no$ somethin*
of those $hom $e in Ita+' ca++ im)ro%isatoriH and I
cou+d s)ea= in this orienta+ st'+e for ei*ht hours to7
*ether $ithout the +east eort( for it reJuires none to
e omastic in ne*+i*ent %erse( o%er+oaded $ith e)i7
thets a+most continua++' re)eated( to hea) comat
u)on comat( and to descrie chimeras"#
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#What# said the )rofessor( #'ou ma=e an e)ic
)oem im)rom)tu# #Not a rationa+ e)ic )oem in
correct %erse( +i=e Vir*i+(# re)+ied the Ita+ian( #ut
a )oem in $hich I $ou+d aandon m'se+f to the cur7
rent of m' ideas( and not ta=e the trou+e to arran*e
them"#
#I def' 'ou to do it(# said the Scotchman and the
O>ford *raduate at once" #We++(# returned the
F+orentine( #*i%e me a suMect"# Lord Chestere+d
*a%e him as a suMect the !+ac= Prince( the con7
Jueror of Poictiers( *rantin* )eace after the %ic7
tor'"
The Ita+ian co++ected himse+f and thus e*an -
#0use of A+ion( *enius that )residest o%er
heroes( come sin* $ith me not the id+e ra*e of men
im)+aca+e a+i=e to friends and foes not the deeds of
Dictionar'" :@3
heroes $hom the *ods ha%e fa%ored in turn( $ithout
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an' reason for so fa%orin* them not the sie*e of a
to$n $hich is not ta=en not the e>tra%a*ant e>7
)+oits of the fau+ous Fin*a+( ut the rea+ %ictories of
a hero modest as ra%e( $ho +ed =in*s ca)ti%e and
res)ected his %anJuished enemies"
#eor*e( the 0ars of En*+and( had descended
from on hi*h on that immorta+ char*er efore $hich
the )roudest coursers of Limousin ee as the +eat7
in* shee) and the tender +ams cro$d into the fo+d
at the si*ht of a terri+e $o+f issuin* from the forest
$ith er' e'es( $ith hair erect and foamin* mouth(
threatenin* the oc= and the she)herd $ith the fur'
of his murderous Ma$s"
#0artin( the famed )rotector of them $ho d$e++
in fruitfu+ Touraine( ene%ie%e( the mi+d di%init' of
them $ho drin= the $aters of the Seine and the
0arne( Denis( $ho ore his head under his arm in
the si*ht of man and of immorta+s( trem+ed as the'
sa$ eor*e )roud+' tra%ersin* the %ast e+ds of air"
On his head $as a *o+den he+met( *+itterin* $ith
diamonds that once )a%ed the sJuares of the hea%en+'
.erusa+em( $hen it a))eared to morta+s durin* fort'
diurna+ re%o+utions of the *reat +uminar' and his in7
constant sister( $ho $ith her mi+d radiance en7
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+i*htens the dar=ness of ni*ht"
#In his hand is the terri+e and sacred +ance $ith
$hich( in the rst da's of the $or+d( the demi7*od
0ichae+( $ho e>ecutes the %en*eance of the 0ost
.ii*h( o%erthre$ the eterna+ enem' of the $or+d and
:@G Phi+oso)hica+
the Creator" The most eautifu+ of the )+uma*e of
the an*e+s that stand aout the throne( )+uc=ed from
their immorta+ ac=s( $a%ed o%er his casJueH and
around it ho%ered Terror( destro'in* War( un)it'in*
Re%en*e( and Death( the terminator of mans ca+ami7
ties" &e came +i=e a comet in its ra)id course( dart7
in* throu*h the orits of the $onderin* )+anets( and
+ea%in* far ehind its ra's( )a+e and terri+e( an7
nouncin* to $ea= morta+s the fa++ of =in*s and na7
tions"
#&e a+i*hted on the an=s of the Charente( and
the sound of his immorta+ arms $as echoed from the
s)heres of .u)iter and Saturn" T$o strides rou*ht
him to the s)ot $here the son of the ma*nanimous
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Ed$ard $aited for the son of the intre)id de Va7
+ois(# etc"
The F+orentine continued in this strain for more
than a Juarter of an hour" The $ords fe++ from his
+i)s( as &omer sa's( more thic=+' and aundant+'
than the sno$s descend in $interH ut his $ords
$ere not co+d H the' $ere rather +i=e the ra)id s)ar=s
esca)in* from the furnace $hen the C'c+o)s for*e
the o+ts of .o%e on resoundin* an%i+"
&is t$o anta*onists $ere at +ast o+i*ed to si+ence
him( ' ac=no$+ed*in* that it $as easier than the'
had thou*ht it $as( to strin* to*ether *i*antic im7
a*es( and ca++ in the aid of hea%en( earth and he++ H
ut the' maintained that to unite the tender and
mo%in* $ith the su+ime $as the )erfection of the
art
Dictionar'" :@
#For e>am)+e(# said the O>onian( #can an'thin*
e more mora+( and at the same time more %o+u)7
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tuous( than to see .u)iter re)osin* $ith his $ife on
0ount Ida#
&is +ordshi) then s)o=e - #ent+emen(# said he(
#I as= 'our )ardon for medd+in* in the dis)ute"
Perha)s to the ree=s there $as somethin* %er' in7
terestin* in a *ods +'in* $ith his $ife u)on a moun7
tain H for m' o$n )art( I see nothin* in it rened or
attracti%e" I $i++ a*ree $ith 'ou that the hand=er7
chief( $hich commentators and imitators ha%e een
)+eased to ca++ the *ird+e of Venus( is a charmin*
*ure H ut I ne%er understood that it $as a so)oric(
nor ho$ .uno cou+d recei%e the caresses of the mas7
ter of the *ods for the )ur)ose of )uttin* him to
s+ee)" A Jueer *od( tru+'( to fa++ as+ee) so soon I
can s$ear that( $hen I $as 'oun*( I $as not so
dro$s'" It ma'( for au*ht I =no$( e no+e( )+eas7
in*( interestin*( $itt'( and decorous to ma=e .uno
sa' to .u)iter( If 'ou are determined to emrace me(
+et us *o to 'our a)artment in hea%en( $hich is the
$or= of Vu+can( and the door of $hich c+oses so
$e++ that none of the *ods can enter"
#I am eJua++' at a +oss to understand# ho$ the *od
of s+ee)( $hom .uno )ra's to c+ose the e'es of .u)i7
ter( can e so ris= a di%init'" &e arri%es in a mo7
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ment from the is+es of Lemnos and Imros H there is
somethin* ne in comin* from t$o is+ands at once"
&e then mounts a )ine and is instant+' amon* the
ree= shi)s H he see=s Ne)tune( nds him( conMures
iMB Phi+oso)hica+
him to *i%e the %ictor' to the ree=s( and returns
$ith a ra)id i*ht to Lemnos" I =no$ of nothin*
so nim+e as this *od of s+ee)"
#In short( if in an e)ic )oem there must e amor7
ous matters( I o$n that I incom)ara+' )refer the
assi*nations of A+cina $ith Ro*ero( and of Armida
$ith Rina+do" Come( m' dear F+orentine( read me
those t$o admira+e cantos of Ariosto and Tasso"#
The F+orentine readi+' oe'ed( and his +ordshi)
$as enchanted H durin* $hich time the Scotchman re7
)erused Fin*a+( the O>ford )rofessor re7)erused
&omer H and e%er' one $as content" It $as at +ast
a*reed that ha))' is he $ho is sensi+e to the merits
of the ancients and the moderns( a))reciates their
eauties( =no$s their fau+ts and )ardons them"
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ANECDOTES"
IF Suetonius cou+d e confronted $ith the %a+ets7
de7chamre of the t$e+%e Caesars( thin= 'ou that
the' $ou+d in e%er' instance corroorate his testi7
mon' And in case of dis)ute( $ho $ou+d not ac=
the %a+ets7de7chamre a*ainst the historian
In our o$n times( ho$ man' oo=s are founded
on nothin* more than the ta+= of the to$n Must
as the science of )h'sics $as founded on chimeras
$hich ha%e een re)eated from a*e to a*e to the
)resent time" Those $ho ta=e the trou+e of notin*
do$n at ni*ht $hat the' ha%e heard in the da'(
shou+d( +i=e St" Au*ustine( $rite a oo= of retrac7
tions at the end of the 'ear"
Dictionar'" :@@
Some one re+ated to the *rand7audiencier :toi+e
that &enr' IV"( huntin* near Cretei+( $ent a+one into
an inn $here some Parisian +a$'ers $ere dinin* in
an u))er room" The =in*( $ithout ma=in* himse+f
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=no$n( sent the hostess to as= them if the' $ou+d
admit him at their ta+e or se++ him a )art of their
dinner" The' sent him for ans$er that the' had
)ri%ate usiness to ta+= of and had ut a short din7
nerH the' therefore e**ed that the stran*er $ou+d
e>cuse them"
&enr' ca++ed his *uards and had the *uests out7
ra*eous+' eaten( to teach them( sa's de :toi+e( to
sho$ more courtes' to *ent+emen" Some authors
of the )resent da'( $ho ha%e ta=en u)on them to
$rite the +ife of &enr' IV"( co)' this anecdote from
de Ttoi+e $ithout e>amination( and( $hich is $orse(
fai+ not to )raise it as a ne action in &enr'" The
thin* is( ho$e%er( neither true nor +i=e+' H and $ere
it true( &enr' $ou+d ha%e een *ui+t' of an act at
once the most ridicu+ous( the most co$ard+'( the
most t'rannica+( and the most im)rudent"
First( it is not +i=e+' that( in :<?( &enr' IV"(
$hose )h'sio*nom' $as so remar=a+e( and $ho
sho$ed himse+f to e%er'od' $ith so much aai+it'(
$as un=no$n at Cretei+ near Paris" Second+'(
de :toi+e( far from %erif'in* his im)ertinent stor'(
sa's he had it from a man $ho had it from 0" de
Vitri H so that it is nothin* more than an id+e rumor"
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Third+'( it $ou+d ha%e een co$ard+' and hatefu+ to
inict a shamefu+ )unishment on citi1ens assem+ed
Vo+ :?
:@9 Phi+oso)hica+
to*ether on usiness( $ho certain+' committed no
crime in refusin* to share their dinner $ith a
stran*er and( it must e admitted( $ith an indis7
creet oneQ $ho cou+d easi+' nd somethin* to eat in
the same house" Fourth+'( this action( so t'ran7
nica+( so un$orth' not on+' of a =in* ut of a man(
so +ia+e to )unishment ' the +a$s of e%er' coun7
tr'( $ou+d ha%e een as im)rudent as ridicu+ous and
crimina+H it $ou+d ha%e dra$n u)on &enr' IV"
the e>ecrations of the $ho+e commona+t' of Paris(
$hose *ood o)inion $as then of so much im)or7
tance to him"
&istor'( then( shou+d not ha%e een dis*ured
' so stu)id a stor'( nor shou+d the character of
&enr' IV" ha%e een dishonored ' so im)erti7
nent an anecdote"
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In a oo= entit+ed #Anecdotes Litteraires# )rinted
' Durand in :@?( a%ec )ri%i+e*e( there a))ears
the fo++o$in* )assa*e %o+" iii( )a*e :93Q- #The
Amours of Louis 8IV"( ha%in* een dramati1ed in
En*+and( that )rince $ished to ha%e those of Kin*
Wi++iam )erformed in France" The Ae !rue's
$as directed ' 0" de Torc' to com)ose the )iece H
ut thou*h a))+auded( it $as ne%er )+a'ed( for the
suMect of it died in the meantime"#
There are a+most as man' asurd +ies as there are
$ords in these fe$ +ines" The Amours of Louis 8IV"
$ere ne%er )+a'ed on the London sta*e" Louis
8IV" ne%er +o$ered himse+f so far as to order a
farce to e $ritten on the amours of Kin* Wi++iam"
Dictionar'" :@;
Kin* Wi++iam ne%er had a mistress H no one accused
him of $ea=ness of that sort" The 0arJuis de Torc'
ne%er s)o=e to the Ae !rue's H he $as inca)a+e
of ma=in* to the ae( or an' one e+se( so indiscreet
and chi+dish a )ro)osa+" The Ae !rue's ne%er
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$rote the )iece in Juestion" So much for the faith
to e )+aced in anecdotes"
The same oo= sa's that #Louis 8IV" $as so
much )+eased $ith the o)era of Isis that he ordered
a decree to e )assed in counci+ ' $hich men of
ran= $ere )ermitted to sin* at the o)era( and recei%e
a sa+ar' for so doin*( $ithout demeanin* themse+%es"
This decree $as re*istered in the Par+iament of
Paris"#
No such dec+aration $as e%er re*istered in the
Par+iament of Paris" It is true that Lu++i otained in
:B@?( +on* efore the o)era of Isis $as )erformed(
+etters )ermittin* him to esta+ish his o)era( in $hich
+etters he *ot it inserted that #+adies and *ent+emen
mi*ht sin* in this theatre $ithout de*radation"# !ut
no dec+aration $as e%er re*istered"
Of a++ the anas( that $hich deser%es to stand fore7
most in the ran=s of )rinted fa+sehood is the Se7
*raisiana - It $as com)i+ed ' the amanuensis of Se7
*rais( one of his domestics( and $as )rinted +on*
after the masters death" The 0ena*iana( re%ised
' La 0onno'e( is the on+' one that contains an'7
thin* instructi%e" Nothin* is more common than
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to nd in our ne$ misce++anies o+d ans mots at7
triuted to our contem)oraries( or inscri)tions and
:9< Phi+oso)hica+
e)i*rams $ritten on certain )rinces( a))+ied to
others"
We are to+d in the #&istoire Phi+oso)hiJue et
Po+itiJue du Commerce dans +es deu> Indes# the
Phi+oso)hica+ and Po+itica+ &istor' of the Commerce
of the t$o IndiesQ( that the Dutch( ha%in* dri%en the
Portu*uese from 0a+acca( the Dutch ca)tain as=ed
the Portu*uese commander $hen he shou+d return H
to $hich he re)+ied- #When 'our sins are *reater
than ours"# This ans$er had efore een attriuted
to an En*+ishman in the time of Char+es VII" of
France( and efore them to a Saracen emir in Sici+' H
after a++( it is the ans$er rather of a Ca)uchin than
of a )o+itician H it $as not ecause the French $ere
*reater sinners than the En*+ish that the +atter de7
)ri%ed them of Canada"
The author of this same histor' re+ates( in a seri7
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ous manner( a +itt+e stor' in%ented ' Stee+e( and in7
serted in the S)ectatorH and $ou+d ma=e it )ass for
one of the rea+ causes of $ar et$een the En*+ish
and the sa%a*es" The ta+e $hich Stee+e o))oses to
the much )+easanter stor' of the $ido$ of E)hesus(
is as fo++o$s and is desi*ned to )ro%e that men are
not more constant than $omenH ut in Petronius
the E)hesian matron e>hiits on+' an amusin* and
)ardona+e $ea=ness H $hi+e the merchant In=+e( in
the S)ectator( is *ui+t' of the most fri*htfu+ in*rati7
tude- #This 'oun* tra%e++er In=+e is on the )oint of
ein* ta=en ' the Cariees on the continent of
America( $ithout it ein* said at $hat )+ace or on
Dictionar'" : 9 :
$hat occasion" 4arico( a )rett' Cariee( sa%es his
+ife( and at +en*th ies $ith him to !aradoes" As
soon as the' arri%e( In=+e *oes and se++s his ene7
factress in the s+a%e mar=et" /n*ratefu+ and ar7
arous man sa's 4arico( $i+t thou se++ me( $hen
I am $ith chi+d ' thee With chi+d re)+ied the
En*+ish merchant( so much the etterH I sha++ *et
more for thee # And this is *i%en us as a true stor'
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and as the ori*in of a +on* $ar"
The s)eech of a $oman of !oston to her
Mud*es( $ho condemned her to the house of
correction for the fth time for ha%in* rou*ht
to ed a fth chi+d( $as a )+easantr' of the
i++ustrious Fran=+inH 'et it is re+ated in the same
$or= as an authentic occurrence" &o$ man' ta+es
ha%e eme++ished and dis*ured e%er' histor'
An author( $ho has thou*ht more correct+' than
he has Juoted( asserts that the fo++o$in* e)ita)h $as
made for Crom$e++ -
Ci7*+t +e destructeur dun)ou7%oir tt*itime(
fusJu a son dernier Mour fa7%orist des cieu> t
Dont +es %ertus meritaient mieu>
6ue +e sce)tre acJuis )ar un crime"
Par Jue+ destin faut7i+ t )ar Jue+ ttran*e +ot
6u a tous ceu> Jui sontnes )our )orter +a couronne
Ce soit r /sur)ateur Jui donne
L e>em)+e des %ertus Jue doit a%oir un Roi
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&ere +ies the man $ho trod on ri*htfu+ )o$er(
Fa%ored ' hea%en to his +atest hourH
Whose %irtues merited a no+er fate
Than that of ru+in* crimina++' *reat"
What $ondrous destin' can so ordain(
That amon* a++ $hose fortune is to rei*n(
The usur)er on+' to his sce)tre rin*s
The %irtues %ain+' sou*ht in +a$fu+ =inYs"
: 9? Phi+oso)hica+
These %erses $ere ne%er made for Crom$e++( ut
for Kin* Wi++iam" The' are not an e)ita)h( ut
$ere $ritten under a )ortrait of that monarch" In7
stead of Ci7*it &ere +iesQ it $as-
Te+fut +e destructeur dun )ou%oir +e*itime"
Such $as the man $ho trod on ri*htfu+ )o$er"
No one in France $as e%er so stu)id as to sa'
that Crom$e++ had e%er set an e>am)+e of %irtue"
It is *ranted that he had %a+or and *enius H ut the
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tit+e of %irtuous $as not his due" A thousand stories
a thousand facetiae ha%e een tra%e++in* aout
the $or+d for the +ast thirt' centuries" Our oo=s
are stued $ith ma>ims $hich come forth as ne$(
ut are to e found in P+utarch( in Athenaeus( in
Seneca( in P+autus( in a++ the ancients"
These are on+' mista=es( as innocent as the' are
commonH ut $i+fu+ fa+sehoods historica+ +ies
$hich attac= the *+or' of )rinces and the re)utation
of )ri%ate indi%idua+s are serious oences" Of a++
the oo=s that are s$e++ed $ith fa+se anecdotes( that
in $hich the most asurd and im)udent +ies are
cro$ded to*ether( is the )retended #0emoires de
0adame de 0aintenon"# The foundation of it $as
true- the author had se%era+ of that +ad's +etters(
$hich had een communicated to him ' a )erson
of conseJuence at St" C'rH ut this sma++ Juantit'
of truth is +ost in a romance of se%en %o+umes"
In this $or= the author sho$s us Louis 8IV" su)7
)+anted ' one of his %a+ets7de7chamre" It su))oses
+etters from 0d++e" 0ancini after$ards 0adame
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L"O/I9 AT 0DL"/E" OE IZA VA+Z+ZIERES
Dictionar'" : 93
Co+onneQ to Louis 8IV"( in one of $hich he ma=es
this niece of Cardina+ 0a1arin sa' to the =in* - #4ou
oe' a )riest 'ou are un$orth' of me if 'ou sumit
to ser%e another" I +o%e 'ou as I +o%e the +i*ht of
hea%en( ut I +o%e 'our *+or' sti++ etter"# 0ost cer7
tain+' the author had not the ori*ina+ of this +etter"
#0d++e" de +a Va++iere(# he sa's( in another )+ace(
#had thro$n herse+f on a sofa in a +i*ht dishai++e(
her thou*hts em)+o'ed on her +o%er" Often did the
da$n of da' nd her sti++ seated in a chair( her arm
restin* on a ta+e( her e'e >ed( her sou+ constant+'
attached to the same oMect( in the ecstas' of +o%e"
The =in* a+one occu)ied her mind H )erha)s at that
moment she $as in$ard+' com)+ainin* of the %i*i7
+ance of the s)ies of &enriette( or the se%erit' of the
Jueen7mother" A s+i*ht noise aroused her from her
re%erie she shrun= ac= $ith sur)rise and dreadH
Louis $as at her feet she $ou+d ha%e ed he
sto))ed her H she threatened he )acied H she $e)t
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he $i)ed a$a' her tears"# Such a descri)tion
$ou+d not no$ e to+erated in one of our most insi)id
no%e+s"
Du &ai++an asserts( in one of his sma++ $or=s( that
Char+es VIII" $as not the son of Louis 8L This
$ou+d account for Louis ha%in* ne*+ected his educa7
tion and a+$a's =ee)in* him at a distance" Char+es
VIII" did not resem+e Louis 8L either in od' or
in mind H ut dissimi+arit' et$een fathers and their
chi+dren is sti++ +ess a )roof of i++e*itimac' than re7
sem+ance is a )roof of the contrar'" That Louis
: 9G Phi+oso)hica+
8I" hated Char+es VIII" rin*s us to no conc+usionH
so ad a son mi*ht $e++ e a ad father" Thou*h
ten Du &aitians shou+d te++ me that Char+es VIII"
s)run* from some other than Louis 8L( I shou+d
not e+ie%e him im)+icit+'" I thin= a )rudent reader
shou+d )ronounce as the Mud*es do Pater est is
Juern nu)tice demonstrant"
Did Char+es V" intri*ue $ith his sister 0ar*aret(
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$ho *o%erned the Lo$ Countries Was it ' her
that he had Don .ohn of Austria( the intre)id rother
of the )rudent Phi+i) II" We ha%e no more )roof
of this than $e ha%e of the secrets of Char+ema*nes
ed( $ho is said to ha%e made free $ith a++ his dau*h7
ters" If the &o+' Scri)tures did not assure me that
Lots dau*hters had chi+dren ' their o$n father( and
Tamar ' her father7in7+a$( I shou+d hesitate to ac7
cuse them of it H one cannot e too discreet"
It has een $ritten that the Duchess de 0ont7
)ensier esto$ed her fa%ors on the mon= .acJues
C+ement( in order to encoura*e him to assassinate his
so%erei*n" It $ou+d ha%e een more )o+itic to ha%e
)romised them than to ha%e *i%en them" !ut a fanat7
ica+ or )arricide )riest is not incited in this $a'H
hea%en is he+d out to him( and not a $oman" &is
Prior !our*oin* had much *reater )o$er in deter7
minin* him to an' act than the *reatest eaut' u)on
earth" When he =i++ed the =in* he had in his )oc=et
no +o%e7+etters( ut the stories of .udith and Ehud(
Juite do*7eared and $orn out $ith thumin*"
.ean Chate+ and Ra%ai++ac had no accom)+icesH
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Dictionar'" :9
their crime $as that of the a*eH their on+' accom7
)+ice $as the cr' of re+i*ion" It has een re)eated+'
asserted that Ra%ai++ac had ta=en a Mourne' to Na)+es
and that the .esuit A+a*ona had( in Na)+es( )redicted
the death of the =in*" The .esuits ne%er $ere )ro)h7
ets H had the' een so( the' $ou+d ha%e foreto+d their
o$n destinationH ut( on the contrar'( the'( )oor
men( a+$a's )ositi%e+' dec+ared that the' shou+d en7
dure to the end of time" We shou+d ne%er e too
sure of an'thin*"
It is in %ain that the .esuit Danie+ te++s me( in his
%er' dr' and %er' defecti%e #&istor' of France(# that
&enr' IV" $as a Catho+ic +on* efore his aMuration"
I $i++ rather e+ie%e &enr' IV" himse+f than the
.esuit Danie+" &is +etter toLa !e++e arie++e- #Cest
demain Jue Me fais +e saut )eri++eu># To7morro$ I
ta=e the fata+ +ea)Q )ro%es( at +east( that somethin*
dierent from Catho+icism $as sti++ in his heart" &ad
his *reat sou+ een +on* )enetrated ' the ecac'
of *race( he $ou+d )erha)s ha%e said to his mistress -
#These isho)s edif' me H# ut he sa's - #Ces *ens7
+a mennuient"# These )eo)+e $ear' me"Q Are
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these the $ords of a *reat catechumen
This *reat mans +etters to Corisande dAndouin(
Countess of rammont( are not a matter of doutH
the' sti++ e>ist in the ori*ina+s" The author of the
#Essai sur +es 0ceurs et I Es)rit des Nations# Essa'
on the 0anners and S)irit of NationsQ *i%es se%era+
of these interestin* +etters( in $hich there are the
fo++o$in* curious )assa*es- #Tous ces em)oison7
: 9B Phi+oso)hica+
neurs sont tous Pa)istes" .ai decou%ert un tueur
)our moi" Les )recheurs Remains )rechent tout7
haut Jui+ n' a )+us Juune mort a %oirH /s admones7
tent tout an Catho+iJue de )rendre e>em)+e" Et
%ous etes de cette re+i*ion Si Me netais &u*uenot(
Me me ferais Turc"# [These )oisoners are a++ Pa)ists"
I ha%e disco%ered an e>ecutioner for m'se+f" The
Roman )reachers e>c+aim a+oud that there is on+' one
more death to e +oo=ed for H the' admonish a++ *ood
Catho+ics to )rot ' the e>am)+e of the )oisonin*
of the )rince of Conde Q " And 'ou are of this re+i7
*ion If I $ere not a &u*uenot( I $ou+d turn Tur="\
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It is dicu+t( after seein* these testimonia+s in &enr'
IV"s o$n hand( to ecome rm+' )ersuaded that he
$as a Catho+ic in his heart"
Another modern historian accuses the du=e of
Lerma of the murder of &enr' IV" #This(# sa's he(
#is the est esta+ished o)inion"# This o)inion
is e%ident+' the $orst esta+ished" It has ne%er een
heard of in S)ain H and in France( the continuator of
de Thou is the on+' one $ho has *i%en an' credit to
these %a*ue and ridicu+ous sus)icions" If the du=e
of Lerma( )rime minister( em)+o'ed Ra%ai++ac( he
)aid him %er' i++ H for $hen the unfortunate man $as
sei1ed( he $as a+most $ithout mone'" If the du=e of
Lerma either )rom)ted him or caused him to e
)rom)ted to the commission of the act( ' the )rom7
ise of a re$ard )ro)ortioned to the attem)t( Ra%ai++ac
$ou+d assured+' ha%e named oth him and his emis7
saries( if on+' to re%en*e himse+f" &e named the
Dictionar'" :9@
.esuit dAui*n'( to $hom he had on+' sho$n a
=nife $h'( then( shou+d he s)are the du=e of
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Lerma It is %er' stran*e ostinac' not to e+ie%e
$hat Ra%ai++ac himse+f dec+ared $hen )ut to the tor7
ture" Is a *reat S)anish fami+' to e insu+ted $ith7
out the +east shado$ of )roof
Et %oi+a Mustement comme on ecrit I histoire"
4et this is ho$ histor' is $ritten"Q The S)anish na7
tion is not accustomed to resort to shamefu+ crimes H
and the S)anish *randees ha%e a+$a's )ossessed a
*enerous )ride $hich has )re%ented them from actin*
so ase+'" If Phi+i) II" set a )rice on the head of the
)rince of Oran*e( he had( at +east( the )rete>t of )un7
ishin* a ree++ious suMect( as the Par+iament of Paris
had $hen the' set ft' thousand cro$ns on the head
of Admira+ Co+i*ni( and after$ards on that of Cardi7
na+ 0a1arin" These )o+itica+ )roscri)tions )artoo=
of the horror of the ci%i+ $ars H ut ho$ can it e su)7
)osed that the du=e of Lerma had secret communica7
tions $ith a )oor $retch +i=e Ra%ai++ac
The same author sa's that 0arsha+ DAncre and
his $ife $ere struc=( as it $ere( ' a thundero+t"
The truth is( that the one $as struc= ' )isto+7a++s(
and the other urned as a $itch" An assassination
and a sentence of death )assed on the $ife of a mar7
sha+ of France( an attendant on the Jueen( as a re)uted
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sorceress( do %er' +itt+e honor either to the chi%a+r'
or to the Muris)rudence of that da'" !ut I =no$ not
$h' the historian ma=es use of these $ords - #If
these t$o $retches $ere not accom)+ices in the =in*s
: 99 Phi+oso)hica+
death( the' at +east deser%ed the most ri*orous chas7
tisementH it is certain that( e%en durin* the =in*s
+ife( Concini and his $ife had connections $ith S)ain
in o))osition to the =in*s desi*ns"#
This is not at a++ certain( nor is it e%en +i=e+'"
The' $ere F+orentines" The *rand du=e of F+orence
$as the rst to ac=no$+ed*e &enr' IV"( and feared
nothin* so much as the )o$er of S)ain in Ita+'"
Concini and his $ife had no inuence in the time of
&enr' IV" If the' intri*ued $ith the court of 0ad7
rid it cou+d on+' e throu*h the Jueen( $ho must(
therefore( ha%e etra'ed her husand" !esides( +et it
once more e oser%ed that $e are not at +iert' to
rin* for$ard such accusations $ithout )roofs"
What sha++ a $riter )ronounce a defamation from
his *arret( $hich the most en+i*htened Mud*es in
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the =in*dom $ou+d trem+e to hear in a court of Mus7
tice Wh' are a marsha+ of France and his $ife(
one of the Jueens attendants( to e ca++ed t$o
$retches Does 0arsha+ dAncre( $ho raised an
arm' a*ainst the ree+s at his o$n e>)ense( merit an
e)ithet suita+e on+' to Ra%ai++ac or Cartouche
to )u+ic roers( or )u+ic ca+umniators
It is ut too true that one fanatic is sucient for
the commission of a )arricide( $ithout an' accom7
)+ice" Damiens had noneH he re)eated four times(
in the course of his interro*ator'( that he committed
his crime so+e+' throu*h a )rinci)+e of re+i*ion" &a%7
in* een in the $a' of =no$in* the con%u+sionaries(
I ma' sa' that I ha%e seen t$ent' of them ca)a+e
Dictionar'" :9;
of an' act eJua++' horrid( so e>cessi%e has een their
infatuation" Re+i*ion( i++7understood( is a fe%er $hich
the sma++est occurrence raises to fren1'" It is the
)ro)ert' of fanaticism to heat the ima*ination" When
a fe$ s)ar=s from the re that =ee)s their su)er7
stitious heads a7oi+in*( fa++ on some %io+ent and
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$ic=ed s)irit $hen some i*norant and furious man
thin=s he is imitatin* Phineas( Ehud( .udith( and
other such )ersona*es( he has more accom)+ices than
he is a$are of" 0an' incite to murder $ithout =no$7
in* it" Some )ersons dro) a fe$ indiscreet and %io7
+ent $ords H a ser%ant re)eats them( $ith additions
and eme++ishmentsH a Chate+( a Ra%ai++ac( or a
Damiens +istens to them( $hi+e the' $ho )ronounced
them +itt+e thin= $hat mischief the' ha%e done H the'
are in%o+untar' accom)+ices( $ithout there ha%in*
een either )+ot or insti*ation" In short( he =no$s
+itt+e of the human mind $ho does not =no$ that
fanaticism renders the )o)u+ace ca)a+e of an'thin*"
The author of the #Siec+e de Louis 8I V# #A*e
of Louis the Fourteenth#Q is the rst $ho has
s)o=en of the 0an in the Iron 0as= in an' authentic
histor'" &e $as $e++ acJuainted $ith this circum7
stance( $hich is the astonishment of the )resent a*e(
and $i++ e that of )osterit'( ut $hich is on+' too
true" &e had een decei%ed res)ectin* the time of
the death of this un=no$n and sin*u+ar+' unfortu7
nate )erson( $ho $as interred at the church of St"
Pau+ 0arch 3( :@<3( and not in :@<G"
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:;< Phi+oso)hica+
&e $as rst conned at Pi*nero+( efore he $as
sent to the Is+es of Ste" 0ar*uerite( and after$ards
to the !asti++e( a+$a's under the care of the same
man( that St" 0arc( $ho sa$ him die" Father rif7
fet( a .esuit( has communicated to the )u+ic the
Mourna+ of the !asti++e( $hich certies the dates" &e
had no dicu+t' in otainin* this Mourna+( since he
e>ercised the de+icate oce of confessor to the )ris7
oners conned in the !asti++e"
The 0an in the Iron 0as= is an eni*ma $hich
each one attem)ts to so+%e" Some ha%e said that he
$as the du=e of !eaufort( ut the du=e of !eaufort
$as =i++ed ' the Tur=s in the defence of Candia( in
:BB;( and the 0an in the Iron 0as= $as at Pi*7
nero+ in :B@?" !esides( ho$ shou+d the du=e of !eau7
fort ha%e een arrested in the midst of his arm'
&o$ cou+d he ha%e een transferred to France $ith7
out some ones =no$in* somethin* aout it and
$h' shou+d he ha%e een im)risoned and $h'
mas=ed
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Others ha%e ima*ined that he $as Count Verman7
dois( natura+ son to Louis 8IV"( $ho( it is $e++
=no$n( died of sma++)o> $hen $ith the arm'( in
:B93( and $as uried in the to$n of Arras"
It has since een su))osed that the du=e of 0on7
mouth( $ho $as )u+ic+' eheaded ' order of Kin*
.ames( in :B9( $as the 0an in the Iron 0as=" !ut
either the du=e must ha%e come to +ife a*ain( and
after$ards chan*ed the order of time( )uttin* the
'ear :BB? for the 'ear :B9( or Kin* .ames( $ho
Dictionar'" :;:
ne%er )ardoned an' one( and therefore merited a++
his misfortunes( must ha%e )ardoned the du=e of
0onmouth( and )ut to death in his stead some
one $ho )erfect+' resem+ed him" In the +atter case(
a )erson must ha%e een found =ind enou*h to ha%e
his head )u+ic+' cut o to sa%e the du=e of 0on7
mouth" A++ En*+and must ha%e een decei%ed in the
)erson H then Kin* .ames must ha%e e**ed of Louis
8IV" that he $ou+d e so *ood as to ecome his
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Mai+er" Louis 8IV"( ha%in* *ranted Kin* .ames
this sma++ fa%or( cou+d not ha%e refused to sho$ the
same re*ard for Kin* Wi++iam and 6ueen Anne(
$ith $hom he $as at $arH ut $ou+d ha%e een
carefu+ to maintain the di*nit' of Mai+er $ith $hich
Kin* .ames had honored him to the end of the
cha)ter"
A++ these i++usions ein* dissi)ated( it remains to
e =no$n $ho this constant+'7mas=ed )risoner $as(
at $hat a*e he died( and under $hat name he $as
uried" It is c+ear that( if he $as not )ermitted to
$a+= in the court of the !asti++e( nor to see his )h'si7
cian e>ce)t in a mas= it $as for fear that some
%er' stri=in* resem+ance $ou+d e disco%ered in
his features" &e $as )ermitted to sho$ his ton*ue(
ut ne%er his face" As for his a*e( he himse+f to+d
the a)othecar' of the !asti++e( a +itt+e efore his death(
that he e+ie%ed he $as aout si>t'" The a)othe7
car's son7in7+a$( 0arso+am( sur*eon to 0arsha+ de
Riche+ieu( and after$ards to the du=e of Or+eans the
re*ent( has re)eated this to me se%era+ times" To
: ;? Phi+oso)hica+
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conc+ude - Wh' $as an Ita+ian name *i%en to him
&e $as a+$a's ca++ed 0archia+i" The $riter of this
artic+e( )erha)s( =no$s more on the suMect than
Father riet( thou*h he $i++ not sa' more"
It is true that Nicho+as FouJuet( su)erintendent
of the nances( had man' friends in his dis*race(
and that the' )erse%ered e%en unti+ Mud*ment $as
)assed on him" It is true that the chance++or( $ho
)resided at that Mud*ment( treated the i++ustrious
ca)ti%e $ith too much ri*or" !ut it $as not 0iche+
Lete++ier( as stated in some editions of the #Siec+e de
Louis 8IV"H# it $as Pierre Se*uier" This inad%ert7
enc' of ha%in* )+aced one for the other is a fau+t
$hich must e corrected"
It is %er' remar=a+e that no one =no$s $here
this ce+erated minister died" Not that it is of an'
im)ortance to =no$ it( for his death not ha%in* +ed
to an' e%ent $hate%er( is +i=e a++ other indierent
occurrencesH ut this ser%es to )ro%e ho$ com7
)+ete+' he $as for*otten to$ards the c+ose of +ife(
ho$ $orth+ess that $or+d+' consideration is $hich
is so an>ious+' sou*ht for( and ho$ ha))' the' are
$ho ha%e no hi*her amition than to +i%e and die
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un=no$n" This =no$+ed*e is far more usefu+ than
that of dates"
Father riet does his utmost to )ersuade us that
Cardina+ Riche+ieu $rote a ad oo=" We++( man'
statesmen ha%e done the same" !ut it is %er' ne
to see him stri%e so hard to )ro%e that( accordin* to
Dictionar'" : ;3
Cardina+ Riche+ieu( #our a++ies( the S)aniards(# so
ha))i+' *o%erned ' a !ouron( #are triutar' to
he++( and ma=e the Indies triutar' to he++# Car7
dina+ Riche+ieus #Po+itica+ Testament# is not that of
a )o+ite man" &e a++e*es -
That France had more *ood )orts on the 0edi7
terranean than the $ho+e S)anish monarch' this is
an e>a**erationQ H that to =ee) u) an arm' of ft'
thousand men it is est to raise a hundred thousand
this thro$s mone' a$a'Q H that $hen a ne$ ta> is
im)osed the )a' of the so+diers is increased $hich
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has ne%er een done either in France or e+se$hereQ H
that the )ar+iaments and other su)erior courts
shou+d e made to )a' the tai++e an infa++i+e means
of *ainin* their hearts and ma=in* the ma*istrac'
res)ecta+eQ H that the no+esse shou+d e forced to
ser%e and to enro++ themse+%es in the ca%a+r' the
etter to )reser%e their )ri%i+e*esQ H that enoa $as
the richest cit' in Ita+' $hich I $ish it $ereQ H that
$e must e %er' chaste the testator mi*ht add
+i=e certain )reachers #Do $hat I sa'( not $hat I
do#Q H that an ae' shou+d e *i%en to the ho+'
cha)e+ at Paris a thin* of *reat im)ortance at the
crisis in $hich 'our friend stoodQ H that Po)e !ene7
dict 8L *a%e a *reat dea+ of trou+e to the corde7
+iers( $ho $ere )iJued on the suMect of )o%ert'
that is to sa'( the re%enues of the order of St"
FrancisQ H that the' $ere e>as)erated a*ainst him
to such a de*ree that the' made $ar u)on him '
their $ritin*s more im)ortant sti++ and more
Vo+" :3
: ;G Phi+oso)hica+
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+earned es)ecia++' $hen .ohn 88II" is ta=en for
!enedict 8L and $hen in a #Po+itica+ Testament#
nothin* is said of the manner in $hich the $ar
a*ainst S)ain and the em)ire $as to e conducted(
nor of the means of ma=in* )eace( nor of )resent
dan*ers( nor of resources( nor of a++iances( nor of the
*enera+s and ministers $ho $ere to e em)+o'ed(
nor e%en of the dau)hin( $hose education $as of so
much im)ortance to the State( nor( in short( of an'
one oMect of the ministr'Q"
I consent $ith a++ m' heart( since it must e so(
that Cardina+ Riche+ieus memor' sha++ e re)roached
$ith this unfortunate $or=( fu++ of anachronisms(
i*norance( ridicu+ous ca+cu+ations( and ac=no$+ed*ed
fa+sities" Let )eo)+e stri%e as hard as the' )+ease to
)ersuade themse+%es that the *reatest minister $as
the most i*norant and tedious( as $e++ as the most
e>tra%a*ant of $ritersH it ma' aord some *rati7
cation to those $ho detest his t'rann'" It is a+so
a fact $orth )reser%in* in the histor' of the human
mind that this des)ica+e $or= $as )raised for more
than thirt' 'ears( $hi+e it $as e+ie%ed to e that
*reat ministers( and Juite as true that the )retended
#Testament# made no noise in the $or+d unti+ thirt'
'ears after the Cardina+s deathH that it $as not
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)rinted unti+ fort'7t$o 'ears after that e%ent H that
the ori*ina+( si*ned ' him( has ne%er een seenH
that the oo= is %er' ad H and that it scarce+' de7
ser%es to e mentioned"
Did Count de 0oret( son of &enr' IV"( $ho $as
Dictionar'" :;
$ounded in the +itt+e s=irmish at Caste+naudari( +i%e
unti+ the 'ear :B;3 under the name of the hermit
.ean !a)tist ef What )roof ha%e $e that this her7
mit $as the son of &enr' IV" None"
Did .eanne dA+ret de Na%arre( mother of &enr'
IV"( after the death of Antoine( marr' a *ent+eman
named u'on( $ho $as =i++ed in the massacre of St"
!artho+ome$ &ad she a son ' him( $ho )reached
at !ordeau> These facts are detai+ed at *reat
+en*th in the #Remar=s on !a'+es Ans$ers to the
6uestions of a Pro%incia+(# fo+io( )a*e B9;" Was
0ar*aret of Va+ois( $ife to &enr' IV"( rou*ht to
ed of t$o chi+dren secret+' after her marria*e
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We mi*ht ++ %o+umes $ith inJuiries +i=e these"
!ut ho$ much )ains shou+d $e e ta=in* to disco%er
thin*s of no use to man=ind Let us rather see=
cures for the scrofu+a( the *out( the stone( the *ra%e+(
and a thousand other chronic or acute diseases" Let
us see= remedies for the distem)ers of the mind(
no +ess terri+e and no +ess morta+" Let us +aor
to rin* the arts to )erfection( and to +essen the
miseries of the human raceH and +et us not $aste
our time o%er the anas( the anecdotes( and curious
stories of our da'( the co++ections of )retended ons
mots( etc"
I read in a oo= +ate+' )u+ished that Louis 8IV"
e>em)ted a++ ne$7married men from the tai++e for
%e 'ears" I ha%e not found this fact in an' co++ection
of edicts( nor in an' memoir of that time" I read in
the same oo= that the =in* of Prussia has ft' +i%res
:;B Phi+oso)hica+
*i%en to e%er' *ir+ $ith chi+d" There is( in truth( no
etter $a' of +a'in* out mone'( nor of encoura*in*
)ro)a*ation( ut I do not e+ie%e that this ro'a+ mu7
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nicence is true H at +east I ha%e ne%er $itnessed it"
An anecdote of *reater antiJuit' has Must fa++en
under m' e'e( and a))ears to me to e a %er' stran*e
one" It is said in a chrono+o*ica+ histor' of Ita+' that
the *reat Arian( Theodoric he $ho is re)resented
to ha%e een so $ise had amon*st his ministers a
Catho+ic( for $hom he had a *reat +i=in*( and $ho
)ro%ed $orth' of a++ his condence" This minister
thou*ht he shou+d rise sti++ hi*her in his masters fa7
%or ' emracin* Arianism H ut Theodoric had
him immediate+' eheaded( sa'in*- # a man is
not faithfu+ to od( ho$ can he e faithfu+ to me(
$ho am ut a man# The com)i+er remar=s that
#this trait does *reat honor to Theodoric s manner of
thin=in* $ith res)ect to re+i*ion"#
I )iJue m'se+f on thin=in*( in matters of re+i*ion(
etter than Ostro*oth( Theodoric( the assassin of
S'mmachus( and !oetius( ecause I am a *ood Cath7
o+ic( and he $as an Arian" !ut I dec+are this =in*
$orth' of ein* conned as a madman if he $ere so
atrocious+' esotted" What he immediate+' cut o
his ministers head ecause that minister had at +ast
come o%er to his o$n $a' of thin=in*" &o$ $as a
$orshi))er of od( $ho )assed from the o)inion of
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Athanasius to that of Arius and Euseius( unfaithfu+
to od &e $as at most unfaithfu+ on+' to Athana7
sius and his )art'( at a time $hen the $or+d $as di%i7
Dictionar'" :;@
ded et$een the Athanasians and the Euseians H ut
Theodoric cou+d not re*ard him as a man unfaithfu+
to od( ecause he had reMected the term consustan7
tia+( after admittin* it at rst" To cut o his fa%or7
ites head for such a reason cou+d certain+' e the
act of none ut the $ic=edest foo+ and most ararous
+oc=head that e%er e>isted" What $ou+d 'ou sa'
of Louis 8IV" if he had eheaded the du=e de +a
Force ecause the du=e de +a Force had Juitted Ca+7
%inism for the re+i*ion of Louis 8IV"
I ha%e Must o)ened a histor' of &o++and( in $hich
I nd that( in :B@?( 0arsha+ de Lu>emour* ha7
ran*ued his troo)s in the fo++o$in* manner - #o(
m' chi+dren( )+under( ro( =i++( ra%ishH and if there
e an'thin* more aomina+e fai+ not to do it( that
I ma' nd I ha%e not een mista=en in se+ectin* 'ou
as the ra%est of men"# This is certain+' a %er'
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)rett' haran*ue" It is as true as those *i%en us '
Li%'( ut it is not in his st'+e" To com)+ete the
dishonor of t')o*ra)h'( this ne )iece is inserted in
se%era+ ne$ dictionaries( $hich are no other than im7
)ostures in a+)haetica+ order"
It is a triin* error in the #Are*e Chrono+o*iJue
de I&istoire de France# #Chrono+o*ica+ Arid*7
ment of the &istor' of France#Q to su))ose that
Louis 8IV"( after the Peace of /trecht( for $hich
he $as indeted to the En*+ish( after nine 'ears of
misfortune( and after the man' *reat %ictories $hich
the En*+ish had *ained( said to the En*+ish amas7
sador- #I ha%e a+$a's een master at home( and
:;9 Phi+oso)hica+
sometimes aroadH do not remind me of it"# This
s)eech $ou+d ha%e een %er' i++7timed( %er' fa+se as
it re*arded the En*+ish( and $ou+d ha%e e>)osed the
=in* to a most *a++in* re)+'"
The author himse+f confessed to me that the 0ar7
Juis de Torc'( $ho $as )resent at a++ the ear+ of
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Stairs audiences( had a+$a's *i%en the +ie to this an7
ecdote" It is assured+' neither true nor +i=e+'( and
has remained in the +ater editions of this oo= on+'
ecause it $as )ut in the rst" This error( ho$e%er(
does not at a++ dis)ara*e this %er' usefu+ $or=( in
$hich a++ the *reat e%ents( arran*ed in the most con7
%enient order( are )erfect+' authenticated"
A++ these +itt+e ta+es( desi*ned to eme++ish his7
tor'( do ut dishonor it( and unfortunate+' a+most a++
ancient histories are +itt+e e+se than ta+es" 0a+e7
ranche $as ri*ht $hen( s)ea=in* on this suMect(
he said- #I thin= no more of histor' than I do of
the ne$s of m' )arish"#
In :@?3( Father FouJuet( a .esuit( returned to
France from China( $here he had )assed t$ent'7
%e 'ears" Re+i*ious dis)utes had emroi+ed him
$ith his rethren" &e had carried $ith him to China
a *os)e+ dierent from theirs( and no$ rou*ht ac=
to France memoria+s a*ainst them" T$o Chinese
+iterati made the %o'a*e $ith him H one of them died
on the $a'( the other came $ith Father FouJuet to
Paris" The .esuit $as to ta=e the Chinese to Rome
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secret+'( as a $itness of the conduct of the *ood
Dictionar'" :;;
fathers in China( and in the meantime FouJuet and
his com)anion +od*ed at the house of the Professed(
Rue St" Antoine"
The re%erend fathers recei%ed ad%ice of their re%7
erend rothers intentions" FouJuet $as no +ess
Juic=+' informed of the desi*ns of the re%erend fa7
thers" &e +ost not a moment( ut set o the same
ni*ht for Rome" The re%erend fathers had interest
enou*h to *et him )ursued( ut the Chinese on+' $as
ta=en" This )oor fe++o$ did not understand a $ord
of French" The *ood fathers $ent to Cardina+ Du7
ois( $ho at that time needed their su))ort( and to+d
him that the' had amon* them a 'oun* man $ho had
*one mad( and $hom it $as necessar' to conne"
The cardina+ immediate+' *ranted a +ettre de cachet(
than $hich there is sometimes nothin* $hich a min7
ister is more read' to *rant" The +ieutenant of )o+ice
$ent to ta=e this madman( $ho $as )ointed out to
him" &e found a man ma=in* re%erences in a $a'
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dierent from the French( s)ea=in* in a sin*in* tone(
and +oo=in* Juite astonished" &e e>)ressed *reat
)it' for his deran*ement( ordered his hands to e
tied ehind him( and sent him to Charenton( $here(
+i=e the Ae Desfontaines( he $as o**ed t$ice a
$ee=" The Chinese did not at a++ understand this
method of recei%in* stran*ers" &e had )assed on+'
t$o or three da's in Paris( and had found the manners
of the French %er' odd" &e had +i%ed t$o 'ears on
read and $ater( amon*st madmen and =ee)ers( and
e+ie%ed that the French nation consisted of these
?OO Phi+oso)hica+
t$o s)ecies( the one )art dancin* $hi+e the other
o**ed them"
At +en*th( $hen t$o 'ears had e+a)sed( the min7
istr' chan*ed and a ne$ +ieutenant of )o+ice $as
a))ointed" This ma*istrate commenced his admin7
istration ' %isitin* the )risons" &e a+so sa$ the
+unatics at Charenton" After con%ersin* $ith them
he as=ed if there $ere no other )ersons for him to
see" &e $as to+d that there $as one more unfortu7
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nate man( ut that he s)o=e a +an*ua*e $hich nood'
understood" A .esuit( $ho accom)anied the ma*7
istrate( said it $as the )ecu+iarit' of this mans mad7
ness that he ne%er *a%e an ans$er in French H noth7
in* $ou+d e *otten from him( and he thou*ht it
$ou+d e etter not to ta=e the trou+e of ca++in* him"
The minister insisted" The unfortunate man $as
rou*ht( and thre$ himse+f at his feet" The +ieuten7
ant sent for the =in*s inter)reters( $ho s)o=e to him
in S)anish( Latin( ree=( and En*+ish( ut he con7
stant+' said Kanton( Kanton( and nothin* e+se" The
.esuit assured them he $as )ossessed" The ma*is7
trate( ha%in* at some time heard it said that there
$as a )ro%ince in China ca++ed Kanton( thou*ht this
man mi*ht )erha)s ha%e come from thence" An
inter)reter to the forei*n missions $as sent for(
$ho cou+d murder Chinese" A++ $as disco%ered"
The ma*istrate =ne$ not $hat to do( nor the .esuit
$hat to sa'" The Du=e de !ouron $as then )rime
minister" The circumstance ha%in* een re+ated to
him( he ordered mone' and c+othes to e *i%en to
Dictionar'" ?<:
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the Chinese( and sent him ac= to his o$n countr'(
$hence it is not thou*ht that man' +iterati $i++ come
and see us in the future" It $ou+d ha%e een more
)o+itic to ha%e =e)t this man and treated him $e++(
than to ha%e sent him to *i%e his countr'men the
%er' $orst o)inion of the French"
Aout thirt' 'ears a*o the French .esuits sent
secret missionaries to China( $ho enticed a chi+d from
his )arents in Canton( and rou*ht him to Paris(
$here the' educated him in their con%ent of La Rue
St" Antoine" This o' ecame a .esuit at the a*e of
fteen( after $hich he remained ten 'ears in France"
&e =no$s oth French and Chinese )erfect+'( and is
%er' +earned" 0" !ertin( com)tro++er7*enera+( and
after$ards secretar' of state( sent him ac= to China
in :@B3( after the ao+ition of the .esuits" &e ca++s
himse+f Ko( and si*ns himse+f Ko( .esuit"
In :@@? there $ere fourteen .esuits in Pe=in(
amon*st $hom $as !rother Ko( $ho sti++ +i%es in
their house" The Em)eror Kien7Lon* has =e)t
these mon=s of Euro)e aout him in the )ositions of
)ainters( en*ra%ers( $atch7ma=ers( and mechanics(
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$ith an e>)ress )rohiition from e%er dis)utin* on
re+i*ion( or causin* the +east trou+e in the em)ire"
The .esuit Ko has sent manuscri)ts of his o$n
com)osition from Pe=in to Paris entit+ed - #0emoirs
Re+ati%e to the &istor'( Arts and Sciences of the
Chinese ' the 0issionaries at Pe=in"# This oo=
is )rinted( and is no$ se++in* at Paris ' N'on( the
?O? Phi+oso)hica+
oo=se++er" The author attac=s a++ the )hi+oso)hers
of Euro)e" &e ca++s a )rince of the Tartar race(
$hom the .esuits had seduced( and the +ate em)eror(
4on*7Chin( had anished( an i++ustrious mart'r to
.esus Christ" This Ko oasts of ma=in* man' neo7
)h'tes( $ho are ardent s)irits( ca)a+e of trou+in*
China e%en more than the .esuits former+' trou+ed
.a)an" It is said that a Russian no+eman( indi*nant
at this .esuitica+ inso+ence( $hich reaches the far7
thest corners of the earth e%en after the e>tinction
of the order has reso+%ed to nd some means of
sendin* to the )resident of the triuna+ of rites at
Pe=in an e>tract in Chinese from these memoirs(
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$hich ma' ser%e to ma=e the aforesaid Ko( and the
.esuits $ho +aor $ith him( etter =no$n"
ANELS"
SECTION I"
An*e+s of the Indians( Persians( etc"
T&E author of the artic+e #An*e+# in the Enc'c+o7
)aedia sa's that a++ re+i*ions ha%e admitted the e>ist7
ence of an*e+s( a+thou*h it is not demonstrated '
natura+ reason"
We understand ' this $ord( ministers of od(
su)ernatura+ is e'ond reason" If I mista=e not it
shou+d ha%e een se%era+ re+i*ions and not a++Q ha%e
ac=no$+ed*ed the e>istence of an*e+s" That of Nu7
ma( that of Saaism( that of the Druids( that of the
Sc'thians( and that of the Phoenicians and ancient
E*')tians did not admit their e>istence"
Dictionar'" ?<3
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We understand ' this $ord( ministers of od(
de)uties( ein*s of a midd+e order et$een od and
man( sent to ma=e =no$n to us &is orders"
At the )resent time in :@@? the !rahmins
oast of ha%in* )ossessed in $ritin*( for Must four
thousand ei*ht hundred and se%ent'7ei*ht 'ears(
their rst sacred +a$( entit+ed the Shastah( fteen
hundred 'ears efore their second +a$( ca++ed
Veidam( si*nif'in* the $ord of od" The Shastah
contains %e cha)tersH the rst( of od and &is
attriutesH the second( of the creation of the an*e+sH
the third( of the fa++ of the an*e+sH the fourth( of
their )unishmentH the fth( of their )ardon( and the
creation of man"
It is *ood( in the rst )+ace( to oser%e the manner
in $hich this oo= s)ea=s of od"
First Cha)ter of the Shastah"
od is oneH &e has created a++H it is a )erfect
s)here( $ithout e*innin* or end" od conducts the
$ho+e creation ' a *enera+ )ro%idence( resu+tin*
from a determined )rinci)+e" Thou sha+t not see= to
disco%er the nature and essence of the Eterna+( nor
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' $hat +a$s &e *o%ernsH such an underta=in*
$ou+d e %ain and crimina+" It is enou*h for thee
to contem)+ate da' and ni*ht in &is $or=s( &is
$isdom( &is )o$er( and &is *oodness"
After )a'in* to this o)enin* of the Shastah the
triute of admiration $hich is due to it( +et us )ass
to the creation of the an*e+s"
?<G Phi+oso)hica+
Second Cha)ter of the Shastah"
The Eterna+( asored in the contem)+ation of &is
o$n e>istence( reso+%ed( in the fu+ness of time( to
communicate &is *+or' and &is essence to ein*s
ca)a+e of fee+in* and )arta=in* &is eatitude as
$e++ as of contriutin* to &is *+or'" The Eterna+
$i++ed it( and the' $ere" &e formed them )art+' of
&is o$n essence( ca)a+e of )erfection or im)er7
fection( accordin* to their $i++"
The Eterna+ rst created !rahma( Vishnu( and
Si%a( then 0o1a1or( and a++ the mu+titude of the
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an*e+s" The Eterna+ *a%e the )re7eminence to !rah7
ma( Vishnu( and Si%a" !rahma $as the )rince of
the an*e+ic arm' H Vishnu and Si%a $ere &is coad7
Mutors" The Eterna+ di%ided the an*e+ic arm' into
se%era+ ands( and *a%e to each a chief" The' adored
the Eterna+( ran*ed around &is throne( each in the
de*ree assi*ned him" There $as harmon' in hea%en"
0o1a1or( chief of the rst and( +ed the cantic+e of
)raise and adoration to the Creator( and the son* of
oedience to !rahma( his rst creatureH and the
Eterna+ reMoiced in &is ne$ creation"
Cha)ter &I" The Fa++ of a Part of the An*e+s"
From the creation of the ce+estia+ arm'( Mo' and
harmon' surrounded the throne of the Eterna+ for
a thousand 'ears mu+ti)+ied ' a thousand( and $ou+d
ha%e +asted unti+ the end of time had not en%' sei1ed
0o1a1or and other )rinces of the an*e+ic ands(
Dictionar'" ?<
amon* $hom $as Raaon( the ne>t in di*nit' to
0o1a1or" For*etfu+ of the +essin* of their creation(
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and of their dut'( the' reMected the )o$er of )erfec7
tion( and e>ercised the )o$er of im)erfection" The'
did e%i+ in the si*ht of the Eterna+ H the' disoe'ed
&im H the' refused to sumit to ods +ieutenant and
his coadMutors Vishnu and Si%a( sa'in* - #We $i++
*o%ern(# and( $ithout fearin* the )o$er and the an7
*er of their Creator( disseminated their seditious
)rinci)+es in the ce+estia+ arm'" The' seduced the
an*e+s( and )ersuaded a *reat mu+titude of them to
ree+ H and the' forsoo= the throne of the Eterna+ H
and sorro$ came u)on the faithfu+ an*e+ic s)iritsH
and for the rst time *rief $as =no$n in hea%en"
Cha)ter IV" Punishment of the ui+t' An*e+s"
The Eterna+( $hose omniscience( )rescience( and
inuence e>tend o%er a++ thin*s e>ce)t the action of
the ein*s $hom &e has created free( ehe+d $ith
*rief and an*er the defection of 0o1a1or( Raaon(
and the other chiefs of the an*e+s"
0ercifu+ in his $rath( he sent !rahma( Vishnu(
and Si%a to re)roach them $ith their crime( and rin*
them ac= to their dut' H ut( conrmed in their s)irit
of inde)endence( the' )ersisted in their re%o+t" The
Eterna+ then commanded Si%a to march a*ainst
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them( armed $ith a+mi*ht' )o$er( and hur+ them
do$n from the hi*h )+ace to the )+ace of dar=ness(
into the Ondera( there to e )unished for a thousand
'ears mu+ti)+ied ' a thousand(
?<B Phi+oso)hica+
Astract of the Fifth Cha)ter"
At the end of a thousand 'ears !rahma( Vishnu(
and Si%a im)+ored the c+emenc' of the Eterna+ in
fa%or of the de+inJuents" The Eterna+ %ouchsafed to
de+i%er them from the )rison of the Ondera( and
)+ace them in a state of )roation durin* a *reat num7
er of so+ar re%o+utions" There $ere other ree++ions
a*ainst od durin* this time of )enitence"
It $as at one of these )eriods that od created
the earth( $here the )enitent an*e+s under$ent se%7
era+ metem)s'choses( one of the +ast of $hich $as
their transformation into co$s" &ence it $as that
co$s ecame sacred in India" Last+'( the' $ere met7
amor)hosed into men"
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So that the Indian s'stem of an*e+s is )recise+'
that of the .esuit !ou*eant( $ho asserts that the
odies of easts are inhaited ' sinfu+ an*e+s"
What the !rahmins had in%ented serious+'( !ou7
*eant( more than four thousand 'ears after( im7
a*ined in Mest if( indeed( this )+easantr' of his $as
not a remnant of su)erstition( comined $ith the
s)irit of s'stem7ma=in*( as is often the case"
Such is the histor' of the an*e+s amon* the ancient
!rahmins( $hich( after the +a)se of aout ft' centu7
ries( the' sti++ continue to teach" Neither our mer7
chants $ho ha%e traded in India( nor our mission7
aries( ha%e e%er een informed of it H for the !rah7
mins( ha%in* ne%er een edied ' their science or
their manners( ha%e not communicated to them their
Dictionar'" ?<@
secrets" It $as +eft for an En*+ishman( named &oi7
$e++( to reside for thirt' 'ears at !enares( on the
an*es( an ancient schoo+ of the !rahmins( to +earn
the ancient Sanscrit ton*ue( in order at +en*th to en7
rich our Euro)e $ith this sin*u+ar =no$+ed*eH Must
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as 0r" Sa+e +i%ed a +on* time in Araia to *i%e us a
faithfu+ trans+ation of the Koran and information
re+ati%e to ancient Saaism( $hich has een suc7
ceeded ' the 0ussu+man re+i*ion H and as Dr" &'de
continued for t$ent' 'ears his researches into e%er'7
thin* concernin* the re+i*ion of the 0a*i"
An*e+s of the Persians"
The Persians had thirt'7one an*e+s" The rst of
a++( $ho is ser%ed ' four other an*e+s( is named
!ahaman" &e has the ins)ection of a++ anima+s e>7
ce)t man( o%er $hom od has reser%ed to himse+f
an immediate Murisdiction"
od )resides o%er the da' on $hich the sun enters
the Ram( and this da' is a Saath( $hich )ro%es
that the feast of the Saath $as oser%ed amon*
the Persians in the ancient times" The second an7
*e+ )resides o%er the se%enth da'( and is ca++ed Dea7
dur" The third is Kur( $hich )roa+' $as after7
$ards con%erted into C'rus" &e is the an*e+ of the
sun" The fourth is ca++ed 0ah( and )resides o%er
the moon" Thus each an*e+ has his )ro%ince" It $as
amon* the Persians that the doctrine of the *uardian
an*e+ and the e%i+ an*e+ $as rst ado)ted" It is e7
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sons of hea%en( ehe+d them the' ecame enamored
of them( sa'in* to each other - Come( +et us se+ect
for ourse+%es $i%es from the )ro*en' of men( and
+et us e*et chi+dren" Then their +eader( Sam'a1a(
said to them - I fear that 'ou ma' )erha)s e indis7
)osed to the )erformance of this enter)rise( and that
I a+one sha++ suer for so *rie%ous a crime" !ut
the' ans$ered him and said- We a++ s$ear( and
ind ourse+%es ' mutua+ e>ecrations( that $e $i++
not chan*e our intention( ut e>ecute our )roMected
underta=in*"
#Then the' s$ore a++ to*ether( and a++ ound
themse+%es ' mutua+ e>ecrations" Their $ho+e
Dictionar'" ?<;
numer $as t$o hundred( $ho descended u)on
Ardis( $hich is the to) of 0ount Armon" That
mountain( therefore( $as ca++ed Armon( ecause
the' had s$orn u)on it( and ound themse+%es '
mutua+ e>ecrations" These are the names of their
chiefs - Sam'a1a( $ho $as their +eader H /ra=aara7
mee+( A=aee+( Tamie+( Ramue+( Dane+( A1=ee+(
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Sara=u'a+( Asae+( Armers( !atraa+( Anane( 5a%ee(
Samsa%ee+( Ertae+( Ture+( 4om'ae+( Ara1'a+" These
$ere the )refects of the t$o hundred an*e+s( and the
remainder $ere a++ $ith them"
#Then the' too= $i%es( each choosin* for himse+f(
$hom the' e*an to a))roach( and $ith $hom the'
cohaited( teachin* them sorcer'( incantations( and
the di%idin* of roots and trees" And the $omen(
concei%in*( rou*ht forth *iants( $hose stature $as
each three hundred cuits(# etc"
The author of this fra*ment $rites in the st'+e
$hich seems to e+on* to the )rimiti%e a*es" &e
has the same sim)+icit'" &e does not fai+ to name
the )ersons( nor does he for*et the dates H here are
no reections( no ma>ims" It is the ancient Orienta+
manner"
It is e%ident that this stor' is founded on the si>th
cha)ter of enesis - #There $ere *iants in the earth
in those da's( and a+so after that( $hen the sons of
od came in unto the dau*hters of men( and the'
are chi+dren to them( the same ecame mi*ht' men
$hich $ere of o+d( men of reno$n"# enesis and
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the !oo= of Enoch )erfect+' a*ree res)ectin* the
Vo+" r G
?io Phi+oso)hica+
cou)+in* of the an*e+s $ith the dau*hters of men(
and the race of *iants $hich s)run* from this
union H ut neither this Enoch( nor an' oo= of the
O+d Testament( s)ea=s of the $ar of the an*e+s
a*ainst od( or of their defeat( or of their fa++ into
he++( or of their hatred to man=ind"
Near+' a++ the commentators on the O+d Testa7
ment unanimous+' sa' that efore the !a'+onian
ca)ti%it'( the .e$s =ne$ not the name of an' an*e+"
The one that a))eared to 0anoah( father of Sam7
son( $ou+d not te++ his name"
When the three an*e+s a))eared to Araham(
and he had a $ho+e ca+f dressed to re*a+e them(
the' did not te++ him their names" One of them
said- #I $i++ come to see thee ne>t 'ear( if od
*rant me +ife H and Sarah th' $ife sha++ ha%e a son"#
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Ca+met disco%ers a *reat anit' et$een this
stor' and the fa+e $hich O%id re+ates in his #Fasti(#
of .u)iter( Ne)tune( and 0ercur'( $ho( ha%in*
su))ed $ith o+d &'reus( and ndin* that he $as af7
icted $ith im)otence( urinated u)on the s=in of a
ca+f $hich he had ser%ed u) to them( and ordered
him to ur' this hide $atered $ith ce+estia+ urine
in the *round( and +ea%e it there for nine months"
At the end of the nine months( &'reus unco%ered
his hide( and found in it a chi+d( $hich $as named
Orion( and is no$ in the hea%ens" Ca+met more7
o%er sa's that the $ords $hich the an*e+s used to
Araham ma' e rendered thus- A chi+d sha++ e
orn of 'our ca+f"
Dictionar'" ?::
!e this as it ma'( the an*e+s did not te++ Araham
their names H the' did not e%en te++ them to 0oses H
and $e nd the name of Ra)hae+ on+' in Toit( at
the time of the ca)ti%it'" The other names of an*e+s
are e%ident+' ta=en from the Cha+dseans and the Per7
sians" Ra)hae+( arie+( and /rie+( are Persian or
!a'+onian" The name of Israe+ itse+f is Cha+daean(
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as the +earned .e$ Phi+o e>)ress+' sa's( in the ac7
count of his de)utation to Ca+i*u+a"
We sha++ not here re)eat $hat has een e+se$here
said of an*e+s"
Whether the ree=s and the Romans admitted the
E>istence of An*e+s"
The' had *ods and demi7*ods enou*h to dis7
)ense $ith a++ other sua+tern ein*s" 0ercur' e>e7
cuted the commissions of .u)iter( and Iris those of
.uno H ne%erthe+ess( the' admitted *enii and demons"
The doctrine of *uardian an*e+s $as %ersied '
&esiod( $ho $as contem)orar' $ith &omer" In
his )oem of #The Wor=s and Da's# he thus e>7
)+ains it -
When *ods a+i=e and morta+s rose to irth(
A *o+den race the immorta+s formed on earth
Of man'7+an*ua*ed menH the' +i%ed of o+d(
When Saturn rei*ned in hea%en an a*e of *o+d"
Li=e *ods the' +i%ed( $ith ca+m( untrou+ed mind(
Free from the toi+ and an*uish of our =ind"
Nor sad( decre)it a*e a))roachin* ni*h(
Their +ims missha)ed $ith s$o+n deformit'"
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Stran*ers to i++( the' Natures anJuet )ro%ed(
Rich in earths fruits( and of the +est e+o%ed-
The' san= to death( as o)iate s+umer stoie
Soft oer the sense( and $he+med the $i++in* sou+"
ai? Phi+oso)hica+
Theirs $as each *ood- the *rain7e>uerant soi+
Poured the fu++ har%est( uncom)e++ed ' toi+-
The %irtuous man' d$e+t in common( +est(
And a++ unen%'in* shared $hat a++ in )eace )ossessed"
When on this race the %erdant earth had +ain(
!' .o%es hi*h $i++ the' rose a enii train-
Earth7$anderin* daemons( the' their char*e e*an(
The ministers of *ood and *uards of man-
Vei+ed $ith a mant+e of aeria+ ni*ht(
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Oer earths $ide s)ace the' $in* their ho%erin* i*htH
Dis)ense the ferti+e treasures of the *round(
And end their a++7oser%ant *+ance aroundH
To mar= the deed unMust( the Must a))ro%e(
Their =in*+' oce( de+e*ate from .o%e"
ELTONS Trans+ation"
The farther $e search into antiJuit'( the more
$e see ho$ modern nations ha%e ' turns e>)+ored
these no$ a+most aandoned mines" The ree=s(
$ho so +on* )assed for in%entors( imitated E*')t(
$hich had co)ied from the Cha+daeans( $ho o$ed
a+most e%er'thin* to the Indians" The doctrine of
the *uardian an*e+s( so $e++ sun* ' &esiod( $as
after$ards so)histicated in the schoo+s - it $as a++
that the' $ere ca)a+e of doin*" E%er' man had
his *ood and his e%i+ *enius( as each one had his
)articu+ar star
Est *enius nata+e comes Jui tem)erat astrum"
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Socrates( $e =no$( had his *ood an*e+ H ut his
ad an*e+ must ha%e *o%erned him" No an*e+ ut
an e%i+ one cou+d )rom)t a )hi+oso)her to run from
house to house( to te++ )eo)+e( ' Juestion and an7
s$er( that father and mother( )rece)tor and )u)i+(
$ere a++ i*norant and imeci+e" A *uardian an*e+
in that e%ent $i++ nd it %er' dicu+t to sa%e his
)rote*e from the hem+oc="
Dictionar'" ?:3
We are acJuainted on+' $Mth the e%i+ an*e+ of
0arcus !rutus( $hich a))eared to him efore the
att+e of Phi+i))i"
SECTION II"
The doctrine of an*e+s is one of the o+dest in the
$or+d" It )receded that of the immorta+it' of the
sou+" This is not sur)risin*H )hi+oso)h' is neces7
sar' to the e+ief that the sou+ of morta+ man is
immorta+ H ut ima*ination and $ea=ness are suf7
cient for the in%ention of ein*s su)erior to our7
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se+%es( )rotectin* or )ersecutin* us" 4et it does
not a))ear that the ancient E*')tians had an' notion
of these ce+estia+ ein*s( c+othed $ith an etherea+
od' and administerin* to the orders of a od"
The ancient !a'+onians $ere the rst $ho ad7
mitted this theo+o*'" The &ere$ oo=s em)+o'
the an*e+s from the rst oo= of enesis do$n7
$ards - ut the !oft= of enesis $as not $ritten e7
fore the Cha+daeans had ecome a )o$erfu+ nation -
nor $as it unti+ the ca)ti%it' of !a'+on that the
.e$s +earned the names of arie+( Ra)hae+( 0ichae+(
/rie+( etc"( $hich $ere *i%en to the an*e+s" The
.e$ish and Christian re+i*ions ein* founded on the
fa++ of Adam( and this fa++ ein* founded on the
tem)tation ' the e%i+ an*e+( the de%i+( it is %er'
sin*u+ar that not a $ord is said in the Pentateuch
of the e>istence of the ad an*e+s( sti++ +ess of their
)unishment and aode in he++"
The reason of this omission is e%ident- the
e%i+ an*e+s $ere un=no$n to the .e$s unti+ the !a'7
?:G Phi+oso)hica+
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Ionian ca)ti%it' H then it is that Asmodeus e*ins to
e ta+=ed of( $hom Ra)hae+ $ent to ind in /))er
E*')t H there it is that the .e$s rst hear of Satan"
This $ord Satan $as Cha+daeanH and the !oo= of
.o( an inhaitant of Cha+daea( is the rst that ma=es
mention of him"
The ancient Persians said Satan $as an an*e+
or *enius $ho had made $ar u)on the Di%es and the
Peris( that is( the fairest of the East"
Thus( accordin* to the ordinar' ru+es of )ro7
ai+it'( those $ho are *uided ' reason a+one mi*ht
e )ermitted to thin= that( from this theo+o*'( the
.e$s and Christians at +en*th too= the idea that the
e%i+ an*e+s had een dri%en out of hea%en( and that
their )rince had tem)ted E%e( in the form of a ser7
)ent"
It has een )retended that Isaiah( in his four7
teenth cha)ter( had this a++e*or' in %ie$ $hen he
said - #6uomodo occidisti de cce+o( Lucifer( Jui mane
oriearisf# #&o$ hast thou fa++en from hea%en(
O Lucifer( son of the mornin* #
It $as this same Latin %erse( trans+ated from
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Isaiah( $hich )rocured for the de%i+ the name of
Lucifer" It $as for*otten that Lucifer si*nies
#that $hich sheds +i*ht"# The $ords of Isaiah( too(
ha%e recei%ed a +itt+e attention H he is s)ea=in* of the
dethroned =in* of !a'+on H and ' a common *7
ure of s)eech( he sa's to him - #&o$ hast thou fa++en
from hea%en( thou ri++iant star#
It does not at a++ a))ear that Isaiah sou*ht( '
Dictionar'" ?:
this stro=e of rhetoric( to esta+ish the doctrine of the
an*e+s )reci)itated into he++" It $as scarce+' efore
the time of the )rimiti%e Christian church that the
fathers and the rais e>erted themse+%es to encour7
a*e this doctrine( in order to sa%e the incredii+it'
of the stor' of a ser)ent $hich seduced the mother
of men( and $hich( condemned for this ad action to
cra$+ on its e++'( has e%er since een an enem' to
man( $ho is a+$a's stri%in* to crush it( $hi+e it is
a+$a's endea%orin* to ite him" There seemed
to e some$hat more of su+imit' in ce+estia+ su7
stances )reci)itated into the a'ss( and issuin* from
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it to )ersecute man=ind"
It cannot e )ro%ed ' an' reasonin* that these
ce+estia+ and inferna+ )o$ers e>istH neither can it
e )ro%ed that the' do not e>ist" There is certain+'
no contradiction in ac=no$+ed*in* the e>istence of
enecent and ma+i*nant sustances $hich are nei7
ther of the nature of od nor of the nature of man -
ut a thin*( to e e+ie%ed( must e more than )os7
si+e"
The an*e+s $ho( accordin* to the !a'+onians
and the .e$s( )resided o%er nations( $ere )recise+'
$hat the *ods of &omer $ere ce+estia+ ein*s(
suordinate to a su)reme ein*" The ima*ination
$hich )roduced the one )roa+' )roduced the
other" The numer of the inferior *ods increased
$ith the re+i*ion of &omer" Amon* the Christians(
the numer of the an*e+s $as au*mented in the
course of time"
? : B Phi+oso)hica+
The $riters =no$n ' the names of Dion'sius the
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Areo)a*ite and re*or' I" >ed the numer of an*e+s
in nine choirs( formin* three hierarchies H the rst
consistin* of the sera)him( cheruim( and thrones H
the second of the dominations( %irtues and )o$ers H
and the third of the )rinci)a+ities( archan*e+s( and(
+ast+'( the an*e+s( $ho *i%e their domination to a++
the rest" It is hard+' )ermissi+e for an' one ut a
)o)e thus to sett+e the dierent ran=s in hea%en"
SECTION III"
An*e+( in ree=( is en%o'" The reader $i++ hard+'
e the $iser for ein* to+d that the Persians had their
)eris( the &ere$s their ma+a=im( and the ree=s
their demonoi"
!ut it is )erha)s etter $orth =no$in* that( one
of the rst of mans ideas has a+$a's een to )+ace
intermediate ein*s et$een the Di%init' and him7
se+fH such $ere those demons( those *enii( in%ented
in the a*es of antiJuit'" 0an a+$a's made the *ods
after his o$n ima*eH )rinces $ere seen to com7
municate their orders ' messen*ersH therefore(
the Di%init' had a+so his couriers" 0ercur'( Iris(
$ere couriers or messen*ers"
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The .e$s( the on+' )eo)+e under the conduct of
the Di%init' &imse+f( did not at rst *i%e names to
the an*e+s $hom od %ouchsafed to send them H the'
orro$ed the names *i%en them ' the Cha+daeans
$hen the .e$ish nation $as ca)ti%e in !a'+onH
0ichae+ and arie+ are named for the rst time '
Dictionar'" ?:@
Danie+( a s+a%e amon* those )eo)+e" The .e$ Toit(
$ho +i%ed at Nine%ah( =ne$ the an*e+ Ra)hae+( $ho
tra%e++ed $ith his son to assist him in reco%erin* the
mone' due to him from the .e$ aae+"
In the +a$s of the .e$s( that is( in Le%iticus and
Deuteronom'( not the +east mention is made of the
e>istence of the an*e+s much +ess of the $orshi) of
them" Neither did the Sadducees e+ie%e in the
an*e+s"
!ut in the histories of the .e$s( the' are much
s)o=en of" The an*e+s $ere cor)orea+ H the' had
$in*s at their ac=s( as the enti+es fei*ned that
0ercur' had at his hee+s H sometimes the' concea+ed
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their $in*s under their c+othin*" &o$ cou+d the'
e $ithout odies( since the' a++ ate and dran=( and
the inhaitants of Sodom $anted to commit the sin
of )ederast' $ith the an*e+s $ho $ent to Lots
house
The ancient .e$ish tradition( accordin* to !en
0aimon( admits ten de*rees( ten orders of an*e+s-
i " The chaios ecodesh( )ure( ho+'" ?" The ofamin(
s$ift" 3" The ora+im( stron*" G" The chasma+im(
ames" " The sera)him( s)ar=s" B" The ma+a=im(
an*e+s( messen*ers( de)uties" @" The e+ohim( *ods
or Mud*es" 9" The en e+ohim( sons of the *ods"
;" The cheruim( ima*es" :<" The 'chim( animated"
The stor' of the fa++ of the an*e+s is not to e
found in the oo=s of 0oses" The rst testimon'
res)ectin* it is that of Isaiah( $ho( a)ostro)hi1in*
the =in* of !a'+on( e>c+aims( #Where is no$ the
?i 9 Phi+oso)hica+
e>acter of triutes The )ines and the cedars re7
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Moice in his fa++" &o$ hast thou fa++en from hea%en(
O &e++e+( star of the mornin*# It has een a+read'
oser%ed that the $ord &e++e+ has een rendered '
the Latin $ord LuciferH that after$ards( in an a+7
+e*orica+ sense( the name of Lucifer $as *i%en to the
)rince of the an*e+s( $ho made $ar in hea%en H and
that( at +ast( this $ord( si*nif'in* Phos)horus and
Aurora( has ecome the name of the de%i+"
The Christian re+i*ion is founded on the fa++ of
the an*e+s" Those $ho re%o+ted $ere )reci)itated
from the s)heres $hich the' inhaited into he++(
in the centre of the earth( and ecame de%i+s" A
de%i+( in the form of a ser)ent( tem)ted E%e( and
damned man=ind" .esus came to redeem man=ind(
and to trium)h o%er the de%i+( $ho tem)ts us sti++"
4et this fundamenta+ tradition is to e found no7
$here ut in the a)ocr')ha+ oo= of EnochH and
there it is in a form Juite dierent from that of
the recei%ed tradition"
St" Au*ustine( in his +O6th +etter( does not hesi7
tate to *i%e s+ender and a*i+e odies to the *ood and
ad an*e+s" Po)e re*or' I" has reduced to nine
choirs to nine hierarchies or orders the ten choirs
of an*e+s ac=no$+ed*ed ' the .e$s"
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The .e$s had in their tem)+e t$o cherus( each
$ith t$o heads the one that of an o>( the other
that of an ea*+e( $ith si> $in*s" We )aint them
no$ in the form of a 'in* head( $ith t$o sma++
$in*s e+o$ the ears" We )aint the an*e+s and arch7
Dictionar'" ?:;
an*e+s in the form of 'oun* men( $ith t$o $in*s
at the ac=" As for the thrones and dominations(
no one has 'et thou*ht of )aintin* them"
St" Thomas( at Juestion c%iii" artic+e ?( sa's that
the thrones are as near to od as the cheruim and
the sera)him( ecause it is u)on them that od sits"
Scot has counted a thousand mi++ion of an*e+s" The
ancient m'tho+o*' of the *ood and ad *enii( ha%in*
)assed from the East to reece and Rome( $e con7
secrated this o)inion( for admittin* for each in7
di%idua+ a *ood and an e%i+ an*e+( of $hom one
assists him and the other torments him( from his
irth to his death H ut it is not 'et =no$n $hether
these *ood and ad an*e+s are continua++' )assin*
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from one to another( or are re+ie%ed ' others" On
this )oint( consu+t #St" Thomass Dream"#
It is not =no$n )recise+' $here the an*e+s d$e++
$hether in the air( in the %oid( or in the )+anets"
It has not een ods )+easure that $e shou+d e
informed of their aode"
ANNALS"
&o$ man' nations ha%e +on* e>isted( and sti++
e>ist( $ithout anna+s" There $ere none in a++ Amer7
ica( that is( in one7ha+f of our *+oe( e>ce)tin* those
of 0e>ico and Peru( $hich are not %er' ancient"
!esides( =notted cords are a sort of oo=s $hich
cannot enter into %er' minute detai+s" Three7fourths
of Africa ne%er had anna+s H and( at the )resent da'(
in the most +earned nations( in those $hich ha%e
??< Phi+oso)hica+
e%en used and aused the art of $ritin* the most(
ninet'7nine out of a hundred )ersons ma' e re7
*arded as not =no$in* an'thin* that ha))ened there
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farther ac= than four *enerations( and as i*norant
a+most of the names of their *reat7*randfathers"
Such is the case $ith near+' a++ the inhaitants of
to$ns and %i++a*es( %er' fe$ fami+ies ho+din* tit+es
of their )ossessions" When a +iti*ation arises re7
s)ectin* the +imits of a e+d or a meado$( the Mud*es
decide accordin* to the testimon' of the o+d menH
and )ossession constitutes the tit+e" Some *reat
e%ents are transmitted from father to son( and are
entire+' a+tered in )assin* from mouth to mouth"
The' ha%e no other anna+s"
Loo= at a++ the %i++a*es of our Euro)e( so )o+ished(
so en+i*htened( so fu++ of immense +iraries( and
$hich no$ seem to *roan under the enormous mass
of oo=s" In each %i++a*e t$o men at most( on an
a%era*e( can read and $rite" Societ' +oses nothin*
in conseJuence" A++ $or=s are )erformed ui+din*(
)+antin*( so$in*( rea)in*( as the' $ere in the re7
motest times" The +aorer has not e%en +eisure to re7
*ret that he has not een tau*ht to consume some
hours of the da' in readin*" This )ro%es that man7
=ind had no need of historica+ monuments to cu+ti7
%ate the arts rea++' necessar' to +ife"
It is astonishin*( not that so man' tries of )eo7
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)+e are $ithout anna+s( ut that three or four nations
ha%e )reser%ed them for %e thousand 'ears or
thereaouts( throu*h so man' %io+ent re%o+utions
Dictionar'" ?? :
$hich the earth has under*one" Not a +ine remains
of the ancient E*')tian( Cha+daean( or Persian an7
na+s( nor of those of the Latins and Etruscans" The
on+' anna+s that can oast of a +itt+e antiJuit' are the
Indian( the Chinese( and the &ere$"
We cannot *i%e the name of anna+s to %a*ue and
rude fra*ments of histor' $ithout date( order( or
connection" The' are ridd+es )ro)osed ' antiJuit'
to )osterit'( $ho understand nothin* at a++ of them"
We %enture to arm that Sanchoniathon( $ho is
said to ha%e +i%ed efore the time of 0oses( com7
)osed anna+s" &e )roa+' +imited his researches to
cosmo*on'( as &esiod after$ards did in reece" We
ad%ance this +atter o)inion on+' as a dout H for $e
$rite on+' to e informed( and not to teach"
!ut $hat deser%es the *reatest attention is that
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Sanchoniathon Juotes the oo=s of the E*')tian
Thoth( $ho( he te++s us( +i%ed ei*ht hundred 'ears
efore him" No$ Sanchoniathon )roa+' $rote in
the a*e in $hich $e )+ace .ose)hs ad%enture in
E*')t" We common+' )+ace the e)och of the )ro7
motion of the .e$ .ose)h to the )rime7ministr' of
E*')t at the 'ear of the creation ?3<<"
If( then( the oo=s of Thoth $ere $ritten ei*ht
hundred 'ears efore( the' $ere $ritten in the 'ear
:<< of the creation" Therefore( their date $as a
hundred and ft'7si> 'ears efore the de+u*e" The'
must( then( ha%e een en*ra%ed on stone( and )re7
ser%ed in the uni%ersa+ inundation" Another di7
cu+t' is that Sanchoniathon does not s)ea= of the
??? Phi+oso)hica+
de+u*e( and that no E*')tian $riter has e%er een
Juoted $ho does s)ea= of it" !ut these dicu+ties
%anish efore the !oo= of enesis( ins)ired ' the
&o+' host"
We ha%e no intention here to )+un*e into the
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chaos $hich ei*ht' $riters ha%e sou*ht to c+ear u)(
' in%entin* dierent chrono+o*ies H $e a+$a's =ee)
to the O+d Testament" We on+' as= $hether in the
time of Thoth the' $rote in hiero*+')hics( or in a+7
)haetica+ characters $hether stone and ric= had
'et een +aid aside for %e++um( or an' other materia+
$hether Thoth $rote anna+s( or on+' a cosmo*on'
$hether there $ere some )'ramids a+read' ui+t in
the time of Thoth $hether Lo$er E*')t $as a+7
read' inhaited $hether cana+s had een con7
structed to recei%e the $aters of the Ni+e $hether
the Cha+daeans had a+read' tau*ht the arts of the
E*')tians( and $hether the Cha+daeans had recei%ed
them from the !rahmins There are )ersons $ho
ha%e reso+%ed a++ these Juestions H $hich once occa7
sioned a man of sense and $it to sa' of a *ra%e doc7
tor( #That man must e %er' i*norant( for he ans$ers
e%er' Juestion that is as=ed him"#
ANNATS"
T&E e)och of the esta+ishment of annats is un7
certain( $hich is a )roof that the e>action of them
is a usur)ation an e>tortionar' custom" What7
e%er is not founded on an authentic +a$ is an ause"
E%er' ause ou*ht to e reformed( un+ess the reform
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Dictionar'( ??3
is more dan*erous than the ause itse+f" /sur)ation
e*ins ' sma++ and successi%e encroachments H eJuit'
and the )u+ic interest at +en*th e>c+aim and )ro7
test H then comes )o+ic'( $hich does its est to recon7
ci+e usur)ation $ith eJuit'( and the ause remains"
In se%era+ dioceses the isho)s( cha)ters( and arch7
deacons( after the e>am)+e of the )o)es( im)osed
annats u)on the cures" In Normand' this e>ac7
tion is ca++ed droit de de)ort" Po+ic' ha%in* no
interest in maintainin* this )i++a*e( it $as ao+ished
in se%era+ )+acesH it sti++ e>ists in othersH so true
is it that mone' is the rst oMect of $orshi)
In :G<;( at the Counci+ of Pisa( Po)e A+e>ander
V" e>)ress+' renounced annatsH Char+es VII" con7
demned them ' an edict of A)ri+( :G:9H the Counci+
of !ase+ dec+ared that the' came under the domina7
tion of simon'( and the Pra*matic Sanction ao+ished
them a*ain"
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Francis I"( ' a )ri%ate treat' $hich he made $ith
Leo 8"( and $hich $as not inserted in the con7
cordat( a++o$ed the )o)e to raise this triute( $hich
)roduced him annua++'( durin* that )rinces rei*n( a
hundred thousand cro$ns of that da'( accordin* to
the ca+cu+ation then made ' .acJues Ca)e++e( ad%o7
cate7*enera+ to the Par+iament of Paris"
The )ar+iament( the uni%ersities( the c+er*'( the
$ho+e nation( )rotested a*ainst this e>action( and
&enr' II"( 'ie+din* at +en*th to the cries of his
)eo)+e( rene$ed the +a$ of Char+es VIL( ' an edict
of the 3d of Se)temer( ::"
??G Phi+oso)hica+
The )a'in* of annats $as a*ain foridden '
Char+es I8"( at the States of Or+eans( in :B<- #!'
the ad%ice of our counci+( and in )ursuance of the
decrees of the &o+' Counci+s( the ancient ordinances
of the =in*s( our )redecessors( and the decisions of
our courts of )ar+iament( $e order that a++ con%e'in*
of *o+d and si+%er out of our =in*dom( and )a'in* of
mone' under the name of annats( %acant or other7
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$ise( sha++ cease( on )ain of a four7fo+d )ena+t' on
the oenders"#
This +a$( )romu+*ated in the *enera+ assem+'
of the nation( must ha%e seemed irre%oca+e( ut t$o
'ears after$ards the same )rince( sudued ' the
court of Rome( at that time )o$erfu+( re7esta+ished
$hat the $ho+e nation and himse+f had aro*ated"
&enr' IV"( $ho feared no dan*er( ut feared
Rome( conrmed the annats ' an edict of the ??d of
.anuar'( :;B"
Three ce+erated Murisconsu+ts( Dumou+in( Lan7
no'( and Duaren( ha%e $ritten stron*+' a*ainst an7
nats( $hich the' ca++ a rea+ simon'" If( in defau+t
of their )a'ment the )o)e refuses his u++s( Duaren
ad%ises the a++ican Church to imitate that of S)ain(
$hich( in the t$e+fth Counci+ of To+edo( char*ed the
archisho) of that cit'( on the )o)es refusa+( to )ro7
%ide for the )re+ates a))ointed ' the =in*"
It is one of the most certain ma>ims of French
+a$( consecrated ' artic+e fourteen of our +ierties(
that the isho) of Rome has no )o$er o%er the tem7
)ora+ities of eneces( ut enMo's the re%enues of
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Dictionar'" ??
annats on+' ' the =in*s )ermission" !ut ou*ht
there not to e a term to this )ermission What
a%ai+s our en+i*htenment if $e are a+$a's to retain
our auses
The amount of the sums $hich ha%e een and
sti++ are )aid to the )o)e is tru+' fri*htfu+" The at7
torne'7*enera+( .ean de St" Remain( has remar=ed
that in the time of Pius II" t$ent'7t$o isho)rics
ha%in* ecome %acant in France in the s)ace of three
'ears( it $as necessar' to carr' to Rome a hundred
and t$ent' thousand cro$ns H that si>t'7one ae's
ha%in* a+so ecome %acant( the +i=e sum had een
)aid to the court of Rome H that aout the same time
there had een )aid to this court for )ro%isions for
the )riorshi)s( deaneries( and other inferior di*ni7
ties( a thousand cro$ns H that for each curate there
$as at +east a *race e>)ectati%e( $hich $as so+d for
t$ent'7%e cro$ns( esides an innite numer of
dis)ensations( amountin* to t$o mi++ions of cro$ns"
St" Remain +i%ed in the time of Louis 8I" .ud*e
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then( $hat these sums $ou+d no$ amount to" .ud*e
ho$ much other states ha%e *i%en" .ud*e $hether
the Roman common$ea+th in the time of Lucu++us
dre$ more *o+d and si+%er from the nations con7
Juered ' its s$ord than the )o)es( the fathers of
those same nations( ha%e dra$n from them ' their
)ens"
Su))osin* that St" Romains ca+cu+ation is too
hi*h ' ha+f( $hich is %er' un+i=e+'( does there not
sti++ remain a sum sucient+' considera+e to entit+e
Vo+" 7:
??B Phi+oso)hica+
us to ca++ the a)osto+ica+ chamer to an account and
demand restitution( seein* that there is nothin* at
a++ a)osto+ica+ in such an amount of mone'
ANT&ROPO0ORP&ITES"
T&E4 are said to ha%e een a sma++ sect of the
fourth centur'( ut the' $ere rather the sect of e%er'
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)eo)+e that had )ainters and scu+)tors" As soon as
the' cou+d dra$ a +itt+e( or sha)e a *ure( the' made
an ima*e of the Di%init'" If the E*')tians conse7
crated cats and *nats the' a+so scu+)tured Isis and
Osiris" !e+ $as car%ed at !a'+on( &ercu+es at
T're( !rahma in India"
The 0ussu+mans did not )aint od as a man"
The ueres had no ima*e of the reat !ein*" The
Saean Aras did not *i%e the human *ure to the
stars" The .e$s did not *i%e it to od in their
tem)+e" None of these nations cu+ti%ated the art of
desi*n( and if So+omon )+aced *ures of anima+s
in his tem)+e it is +i=e+' that he had them car%ed at
T're H ut a++ the .e$s ha%e s)o=en of od as of a
man"
A+thou*h the' had no ima*es the' seem to ha%e
made od a man on a++ occasions" &e comes do$n
into the *arden H &e $a+=s there e%er' da' at noon H
&e ta+=s to &is creatures H &e ta+=s to the ser)ent H
&e ma=es &imse+f heard ' 0oses in the ush H &e
sho$s him on+' &is ac= )arts on the mountainH
&e ne%erthe+ess ta+=s to him( face to face( +i=e one
friend to another"
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Dictionar'" ??@
In the Koran( too( od is a+$a's +oo=ed u) to as
a =in*" In the t$e+fth cha)ter( a throne is *i%en
&im ao%e the $aters" &e had this Koran $ritten
' a secretar'( as =in*s ha%e their orders" &e sent
this same Koran to 0ahomet ' the an*e+ arie+(
as =in*s communicate their orders throu*h the *reat
ocers of the cro$n" In short( a+thou*h od is
dec+ared in the Koran to e neither e*ettin* nor
e*otten( there is( ne%erthe+ess a morse+ of anthro)o7
mor)hism" In the ree= and Latin Churches( od
has a+$a's een )ainted $ith a *reat eard"
ANTI7L/CRETI/S"
T&E readin* of the $ho+e )oem of the +ate Cardi7
na+ Po+i*nac has conrmed me in the idea $hich I
formed of it $hen he read to me the rst oo=" I am
moreo%er astonished that amidst the dissi)ations of
the $or+d and the trou+es in )u+ic +ife( he shou+d
ha%e een a+e to $rite a +on* $or= in %erse( in a
forei*n +an*ua*e H he( $ho cou+d hard+' ha%e made
four *ood +ines in his o$n ton*ue" It seems to me
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that he often united the stren*th of Lucretius and
the e+e*ance of Vir*i+" I admire him( ao%e a++( for
that faci+it' $ith $hich he e>)resses such dicu+t
thin*s"
Perha)s( indeed( his #Anti7Lucretius# is too dif7
fuse( and too +itt+e di%ersied( ut he is here to e
e>amined as a )hi+oso)her( not as a )oet" It a))ears
to me that so ne a mind as his shou+d ha%e done
more Mustice to the mora+s of E)icurus( $ho( thou*h
??9 Phi+oso)hica+
he $as a %er' ad natura+ )hi+oso)her( $as( ne%erthe7
+ess( a %er' $orth' man and a+$a's tau*ht mi+dness(
tem)erance( moderation( and Mustice( %irtues $hich
his e>am)+e incu+cated sti++ more forci+'"
In the #Anti7Lucretius(# this *reat man is thus
a)ostro)hi1ed -
Si %irtutis eras a%idus( rectiJue oniJue
Tarn sitiens( Juid re++i*io tii sancta noceat7
As)era Jui))e nintis %isa est" As)errima certe
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audenti %itiis( sed non %irtutis amanti"
Er*o ) erf u*ium cu+)a( so /sJue eni*nus
Per Muris ac faedifra*is" E)icure( )araas"
So+am hominum faecem )oteras( de%otaJue fureis
Cor)ora( etc"
If %irtue( Mustice( *oodness( $ere th' care(
Wh' didst thou trem+e at Re+i*ions ca++
Whose +a$s are harsh to %icious minds a+one
Not to the s)irit that de+i*hts in %irtue"
No( no the $orst of men( the $orst of crimes
&as th' so+icitude th' dearest aim
To nd a refu*e for the *ui+t' sou+( etc"
!ut E)icurus mi*ht re)+' to the cardina+- #If
I had had the ha))iness of =no$in*( +i=e 'ou( the
true od( of ein* orn( +i=e 'ou( in a )ure and ho+'
re+i*ion( I shou+d certain+' not ha%e reMected that re7
%ea+ed od( $hose tenets $ere necessari+' un=no$n
to m' mind( ut $hose mora+it' $as in m' heart"
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I cou+d not admit the e>istence of such *ods as $ere
announced to me ' )a*anism" I $as too rationa+
to adore di%inities( made to s)rin* from a father and
a mother( +i=e morta+s( and +i=e them( to ma=e $ar
u)on one another" I $as too *reat a friend to %irtue
not to hate a re+i*ion $hich no$ in%ited to crime '
the e>am)+e of those *ods themse+%es( and no$ so+d
for mone' the remission of the most horri+e enor7
Dictionar'" ??;
mities" I ehe+d( on one hand( infatuated men(
stained $ith %ices( and see=in* to )urif' themse+%es
efore im)ure *ods H and on the other( =na%es $ho
oasted that the' cou+d Mustif' the most )er%erse '
initiatin* them in m'steries( ' dro))in* u++oc=s
+ood on their heads( or ' di))in* them in the
$aters of the an*es" I ehe+d the most unMust $ars
underta=en $ith )erfect sanctit'( so soon as a rams
+i%er $as found uns)otted( or a $oman( $ith hair
dishe%e++ed and ro++in* e'es( uttered $ords of $hich
neither she nor an' one e+se =ne$ the meanin*" In
short( I ehe+d a++ the countries of the earth stained
$ith the +ood of human %ictims( sacriced ' ar7
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arous )ontis to ararous *ods" I consider that I
did $e++ to detest such re+i*ions" 0ine is %irtue"
I e>horted m' disci)+es not to medd+e $ith the af7
fairs of this $or+d( ecause the' $ere horri+' *o%7
erned" A true E)icurean $as mi+d( moderate( Must(
amia+e a man of $hom no societ' had to com7
)+ain one $ho did not )a' e>ecutioners to assassi7
nate in )u+ic those $ho thou*ht dierent+' from
himse+f" From hence to the ho+' re+i*ion in $hich
'ou ha%e een red there is ut one ste)" I de7
stro'ed the fa+se *ods( and( had I +i%ed in 'our da'(
I $ou+d ha%e reco*ni1ed the true ones"#
Thus mi*ht E)icurus Mustif' himse+f concernin*
his error" &e mi*ht e%en entit+e himse+f to )ardon
res)ectin* the do*ma of the immorta+it' of the sou+(
' sa'in*- #Pit' me for ha%in* comated a truth
$hich od re%ea+ed %e hundred 'ears after m'
?3< Phi+oso)hica+
irth" I thou*ht +i=e a++ the rst Pa*an +e*is+ators of
the $or+d H and the' $ere a++ i*norant of this truth"#
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I $ish( then( that Cardina+ Po+i*nac had )itied
$hi+e he condemned E)icurus H it $ou+d ha%e een
no detriment to ne )oetr'" With re*ard to )h'sics
it a))ears to me that the author has +ost much time
and man' %erses in refutin* the dec+ination of atoms
and the other asurdities $hich s$arm in the )oem
of Lucretius" This is em)+o'in* arti++er' to destro'
a cotta*e" !esides( $h' remo%e Lucretius re%eries
to sustitute those of Descartes
Cardina+ Po+i*nac has inserted in his )oem some
%er' ne +ines on the disco%eries of Ne$tonH ut
in these( unfortunate+' for himse+f( he comats dem7
onstrated truths" The )hi+oso)h' of Ne$ton is
not to e discussed in %erse H it is scarce+' to e a)7
)roached in )rose" Founded a+to*ether on *eome7
tr'( the *enius of )oetr' is not t to assai+ it" The
surface of these truths ma' e decorated $ith ne
%erses ut to fathom them( ca+cu+ation is reJuisite(
and not %erse"
ANTI6/IT4"
SECTION I"
&AVE 'ou not sometimes seen( in a %i++a*e( Pierre
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Aoudri and his $ife Perone++e stri%in* to *o efore
their nei*hors in a )rocession #Our *rand7
fathers(# sa' the'( #run* the e++s efore those $ho
e+o$ %is no$ had so much as a sta+e of their o$n"#
Dictionar'" ?3 :
The %anit' of Pierre Aoudri( his $ife( and his
nei*hors =no$s no etter" The' *ro$ $arm" The
Juarre+ is an im)ortant one( for honor is in Juestion"
Proofs must no$ e found" Some +earned church7
sin*er disco%ers an o+d rust' iron )ot( mar=ed $ith
an A( the initia+ of the ra1iers name $ho made the
)ot" Pierre Aoudri )ersuades himse+f that it $as
the he+met of one of his ancestors" So Caesar de7
scended from a hero and from the *oddess Venus"
Such is the histor' of nations H such is( %er' near+'(
the =no$+ed*e of ear+' antiJuit'"
The +earned of Armenia demonstrate that the ter7
restria+ )aradise $as in their countr'" Some )ro7
found S$edes demonstrate that it $as some$here
aout La=e Wenner( $hich e>hiits %isi+e remains
of it" Some S)aniards( too( demonstrate that it $as
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in Casti+e" Whi+e the .a)anese( the Chinese( the
Tartars( the Indians( the Africans( and the Ameri7
cans( are so unfortunate as not e%en to =no$ that a
terrestria+ )aradise once e>isted at the sources of
the Pison( the ihon( the Ti*ris( and the Eu)hrates(
or( $hich is the same thin*( at the sources of the
uada+Jui%ir( the uadiana( the Douro( and the
Ero" For of Pison $e easi+' ma=e Phseris( and of
Phaeris $e easi+' ma=e the !setis( $hich is the uad7
a+Jui%ir" The ihon( it is )+ain( is the uadiana( for
the' oth e*in $ith a " And the Ero( $hich is in
Cata+onia( is unJuestiona+' the Eu)hrates( oth e7
*innin* $ith an E"
!ut a Scotchman comes( and in his turn demon7
?3? Phi+oso)hica+
strates that the *arden of Eden $as at Edinur*h(
$hich has retained its name H and it is not un+i=e+'
that( in a fe$ centuries( this o)inion $i++ )re%ai+"
The $ho+e *+oe $as once urned( sa's a man
con%ersant $ith ancient and modern histor' H for I
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ha%e read in a Mourna+ that charcoa+ Juite +ac= has
een found a hundred feet dee)( amon* mountains
co%ered $ith $ood" And it is a+so sus)ected that
there $ere charcoa+7urners in this )+ace"
Phaetons ad%enture sucient+' sho$s that e%er'7
thin* has een oi+ed( e%en to the ottom of the sea"
The su+)hur of 0ount Vesu%ius incontro%erti+'
)ro%es that the an=s of the Rhine( the Danue( the
an*es( the Ni+e( and the reat 4e++o$ Ri%er( are
nothin* ut su+)hur( nitre( and oi+ of *uiacum( $hich
on+' $ait for the moment of e>)+osion to reduce the
earth to ashes( as it has a+read' once een" The sand
on $hich $e $a+= is an e%ident )roof that the uni7
%erse has %itried( and that our *+oe is nothin* ut
a a++ of *+ass +i=e our ideas"
!ut if re has chan*ed our *+oe( $ater has )ro7
duced sti++ more $onderfu+ re%o+utions" For it is
)+ain that the sea( the tides of $hich in our +atitudes
rise ei*ht feet( has )roduced the mountains( $hich
are si>teen to se%enteen thousand feet hi*h" This
is so true that some +earned men( $ho ne%er $ere in
S$it1er+and( found a +ar*e %esse+ there( $ith a++ its
ri**in*( )etried( either on 0ount St" othard or
at the ottom of a )reci)ice it is not )ositi%e+'
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=no$n $hichH ut it is Juite certain that it $as
Dictionar'" ?33
there" Therefore( men $ere ori*ina++' shes 6"
E" D"
Comin* do$n to antiJuit' +ess ancient +et us s)ea=
of the times $hen most ararous nations Juitted
their o$n countries to see= others $hich $ere not
much etter" It is true( if there e an'thin* true in
ancient histor'( that there $ere au+ish roers $ho
$ent to )+under Rome in the time of Cami++us"
Other roers from au+ had( it is said( )assed
throu*h I++'ria to se++ their ser%ices as murderers to
other murderers in the nei*horhood of Thrace - the'
artered their +ood for read( and at +en*th sett+ed
in a+atia" !ut $ho $ere these au+s Were the'
nati%es of !err' and AnMou The' $ere( dout+ess(
some of those au+s $hom the Romans ca++ed Cisa+7
)ine( and $hom $e ca++ Transa+)ine famishin*
mountaineers( inhaitin* the A+)s and the A)en7
nines" The au+s of the Seine and the 0arne did
not then =no$ that Rome e>isted( and cou+d not
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reso+%e to cross 0ont Cenis( as $as after$ards
done ' &annia+( to stea+ the $ardroes of the Ro7
man senators( $hose on+' mo%a+es $ere a *o$n of
ad *re' c+oth( decorated $ith a and( the co+or of
u++s +ood( t$o sma++ =nos of i%or'( or rather
do*s one( >ed to the arms of a $ooden chair( and
a )iece of rancid acon in their =itchens"
The au+s( $ho $ere d'in* of hun*er( ndin*
nothin* to eat at home( $ent to tr' their fortune
farther oH as the Romans after$ards did $hen
the' ra%a*ed so man' countries( and as the )eo)+e of
Phi+oso)hica+
the North did at a +ater )eriod $hen the' destro'ed
the Roman Em)ire"
And $hence ha%e $e recei%ed our %a*ue informa7
tion res)ectin* these emi*rations From some +ines
$ritten at a %enture ' the Romans H for( as for the
Ce+ts( We+sh( or au+s( $hom some $ou+d ha%e us
e+ie%e to ha%e een e+oJuent( neither the' nor their
ards cou+d at that time read or $rite"
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!ut( to infer from these that the au+s or Ce+ts(
after$ards conJuered ' a fe$ of Caesars +e*ions(
then ' a horde of oths( then ' a horde of !ur7
*undians( and +ast+' ' a horde of Sicamri( under
one C+odo%ic( had efore suMu*ated the $ho+e earth(
and *i%en their names and their +a$s to Asia( seems
to me to e inferrin* a *reat dea+" The thin*( ho$7
e%er( is not mathematica++' im)ossi+eH and if it
e demonstrated( I assent - it $ou+d e %er' unci%i+
to refuse to the We+sh $hat is *ranted to the
Tartars"
SECTION II"
On the AntiJuit' of /sa*es"
Who ha%e een the *reatest foo+s( and $ho the
most ancient foo+s Ourse+%es or the E*')tians( or
the S'rians or some other )eo)+e What $as si*7
nied ' our mis+etoe Who rst consecrated a cat
It must ha%e een he $ho $as the most trou+ed $ith
mice" In $hat nation did the' rst dance under the
ou*hs of trees in honor of the *ods Who rst
made )rocessions( and )+aced foo+s( $ith ca)s and
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Dictionar'" ?3
e++s( at the head of them Who rst carried a
)ria)us throu*h the streets( and >ed one +i=e a
=noc=er at the door What Ara rst too= it into
his head to han* his $ifes dra$ers out at the $in7
do$( the da' after his marria*e
A++ nations ha%e former+' danced at the time of
the ne$ moon" Did the' then *i%e one another the
$ord No H no more than the' did to reMoice at the
irth of a son( or to mourn( or seem to mourn( at
the death of a father" E%er' one is %er' *+ad to see
the moon a*ain( after ha%in* +ost her for se%era+
ni*hts" There are a hundred usa*es so natura+ to
a++ men( that it cannot e said the !isca'ans tau*ht
them to the Phr'*ians( or the Phr'*ians to the !is7
ca'ans"
Fire and $ater ha%e een used in tem)+es" This
custom needed no introduction" A )riest did not
choose a+$a's to ha%e his hands dirt'" Fire $as
necessar' to coo= the immo+ated carcasses( and to
urn s+i)s of resinous $ood and s)ices( in order to
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comat the odor of the sacerdota+ sham+es"
!ut the m'sterious ceremonies $hich it is so
dicu+t to understand( the usa*es $hich nature does
not teach in $hat )+ace( $hen( $here( ho$( $h'(
$ere the' in%ented Who communicated them to
other nations It is not +i=e+' that it shou+d( at the
same time( ha%e entered the head of an Ara and of
an E*')tian to cut o one end of his sons )re)uce H
nor that a Chinese and a Persian shou+d( oth at
once( ha%e reso+%ed to castrate +itt+e o's"
?3B Phi+oso)hica+
It can ne%er ha%e een that t$o fathers( in dif7
ferent countries( ha%e( at the same moment( formed
the idea of cuttin* their sons throats to )+ease od"
Some nations must ha%e communicated to others
their fo++ies( serious( ridicu+ous( or ararous" In
this antiJuit' men +o%e to search( to disco%er( if
)ossi+e( the rst madman and the rst scoundre+
$ho )er%erted human nature"
!ut ho$ are $e to =no$ $hether .ehu( in Phoe7
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nicia( ' immo+atin* his son( $as the in%entor of
sacrices of human +ood &o$ can $e e as7
sured that L'caon $as the rst $ho ate human esh(
$hen $e do not =no$ $ho rst e*an to eat fo$+s
We see= to =no$ the ori*in of ancient feasts"
The most ancient and the nest is that of the em7
)erors of China ti++in* and so$in* the *round( to7
*ether $ith their rst mandarins" The second is
that of the Thesmo)horia at Athens" To ce+erate
at once a*ricu+ture and Mustice( to sho$ men ho$
necessar' the' oth are( to unite the cur of +a$ $ith
the art $hich is the source of a++ $ea+th nothin*
is more $ise( more )ious( or more usefu+"
There are o+d a++e*orica+ feasts to e found e%er'7
$here( as those of the return of the seasons" It $as
not necessar' that one nation shou+d come from afar
o to teach another that mar=s of Mo' and friend7
shi) for ones nei*hors ma' e *i%en on the rst
da' of the 'ear" This custom has een that of e%er'
)eo)+e" The Saturna+ia of the Romans are etter
=no$n than those of the A++oro*es and the Picts H
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Dictionar'" ?3@
ecause there are man' Roman $ritin*s and monu7
ments remainin*( ut there are none of the other
nations of $estern Euro)e"
The feast of Saturn $as the feast of Time" &e
had four $in*sH time ies Juic=+' his t$o faces
e%ident+' si*nif'in* the conc+uded and the com7
mencin* 'ear" The ree=s said that he had de7
%oured his father and that he de%oured his chi+dren"
No a++e*or' is more reasona+e" Time de%ours the
)ast and the )resent( and $i++ de%our the future"
Wh' see= for %ain and *+oom' e>)+anations of a
feast so uni%ersa+( so *a'( and so $e++ =no$n
When I +oo= $e++ into antiJuit'( I do not nd a
sin*+e annua+ festi%a+ of a me+ancho+' character H or(
at +east( if the' e*in $ith +amentations( the' end
in dancin* and re%e+r'" If tears are shed for Adoni
or Adonai( $hom $e ca++ Adonis( he is soon resusci7
tated( and reMoicin* ta=es )+ace" It is the same $ith
the feasts" of Isis( Osiris( and &orus" The ree=s(
too( did as much for Ceres as for Pros)erine" The
death of the ser)ent P'thon $as ce+erated $ith
*a'et'" A feast da' and a da' of Mo' $ere one and
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the same thin*" At the feasts of !acchus this Mo'
$as on+' carried too far"
I do not nd one *enera+ commemoration of an
unfortunate e%ent" The institutors of the feasts
$ou+d ha%e sho$n themse+%es to e de%oid of com7
mon sense if the' had esta+ished at Athens a ce+e7
ration of the att+e +ost at Chseronea( and at Rome
another of the att+e of Cannae"
?39 Phi+oso)hica+
The' )er)etuated the rememrance of $hat
mi*ht encoura*e men( and not of that $hich mi*ht
++ them $ith co$ardice or des)air" This is so
true that fa+es $ere in%ented for the )ur)ose of
institutin* feasts" Castor and Po++u> did not *ht
for the Romans near La=e Re*i++us H ut( at the end
of three or four hundred 'ears( some )riests said so(
and a++ the )eo)+e danced" &ercu+es did not de+i%er
reece from a h'dra $ith se%en heads H ut &er7
cu+es and his h'dra $ere sun*"
SECTION III"
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Festi%a+s Founded on Chimeras"
I do not =no$ that there $as( in a++ antiJuit'( a
sin*+e festi%a+ founded on an esta+ished fact" It
has een e+se$here remar=ed ho$ e>treme+' ridicu7
+ous those schoo+men a))ear $ho sa' to 'ou( $ith
a ma*isteria+ air- #&ere is an ancient h'mn in
honor of A)o++o( $ho %isited C+aros H therefore
A)o++o $ent to C+arosH a cha)e+ $as erected to
Perseus H therefore he de+i%ered Andromeda"# Poor
men 4ou shou+d rather sa'( therefore there $as
no Andromeda"
!ut $hat( then( $i++ ecome of that +earned an7
tiJuit' $hich )receded the o+'m)iads It $i++ e7
come $hat it is an un=no$n time( a time +ost( a
time of a++e*ories and +ies( a time re*arded $ith
contem)t ' the $ise( and )rofound+' discussed '
+oc=heads( $ho +i=e to oat in a %oid( +i=e E)icurus
atoms"
Dictionar'" ?3;
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There $ere e%er'$here da's of )enance( da's
of e>)iation in the tem)+esH ut these da's $ere
ne%er ca++ed ' a name ans$erin* to that of feasts"
E%er' feast7da' $as sacred to di%ersionH so true
is this that the E*')tian )riests fasted on the e%e
in order to eat the more on the morro$ a custom
$hich our mon=s ha%e )reser%ed" There $ere( no
dout( mournfu+ ceremonies" It $as not customar'
to dance the ree= ra$+ $hi+e interrin* or carr'in*
to the funera+ )i+e a son or a dau*hter H this $as a
)u+ic ceremon'( ut certain+' not a feast"
SECTION IV"
On the AntiJuit' of Feasts( Which( It has een As7
serted( $ere A+$a's 0ournfu+"
0en of in*enuit'( )rofound searchers into an7
tiJuit'( $ho $ou+d =no$ ho$ the earth $as made
a hundred thousand 'ears a*o( if *enius cou+d dis7
co%er it( ha%e asserted that man=ind( reduced to a
%er' sma++ numer in oth continents( and sti++ ter7
ried at the innumera+e re%o+utions $hich this sad
*+oe had under*one( )er)etuated the rememrance
of their ca+amities ' disma+ and mournfu+ com7
memorations"
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#E%er' feast(# sa' the'( #$as a da' of horror(
instituted to remind men that their fathers had een
destro'ed ' the res of the %o+canoes( ' roc=s
fa++in* from the mountains( ' eru)tions of the sea(
' the teeth and c+a$s of $i+d easts( ' $ar( )esti7
+ence and famine"#
?G< Phi+oso)hica+
Then $e are not made as men $ere then" There
$as ne%er so much reMoicin* in London as after the
)+a*ue and the urnin* of the $ho+e cit' in the
rei*n of Char+es II" We made son*s $hi+e the
massacres of !artho+ome$ $ere sti++ *oin* on"
Some )asJuinades ha%e een )reser%ed $hich $ere
made the da' after the assassination of Co+i*ni H
there $as )rinted in Paris( Passio Domini nostri
as)ardi Co+i*nii secundum !artho+omUum"
It has a thousand times ha))ened that the su+tan
$ho rei*ns in Constantino)+e has made his eunuchs
and oda+is=s dance in a)artments stained $ith the
+ood of his rothers and his %i1iers" What do the
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)eo)+e of Paris do on the %er' da' that the' are
a))rised of the +oss of a att+e and the death of a
hundred ra%e ocers The' run to the )+a' and
the o)era"
What did the' $hen the $ife of 0arsha+ dAncre
$as *i%en u) in the re%e to the ararit' of her
)ersecutors When 0arsha+ de 0ari++ac $as
dra**ed to e>ecution in a $a*on( ' %irtue of a
)a)er si*ned ' roed +ac=e's in Cardina+ de Riche7
+ieus ante7chamer When a +ieutenant7*enera+ of
the arm'( a forei*ner( $ho had shed his +ood for
the state( condemned ' the cries of his infuriated
enemies( $as +ed to the scao+d in a dun*7cart( $ith
a *a* in his mouth When a 'oun* man of nine7
teen( fu++ of candor( coura*e and modest'( ut %er'
im)rudent( $as carried to the most dreadfu+ of
)unishments The' san* %aude%i++es" Such is
Dictionar'" ?G:
man( at +east man on the an=s of the Seine" Such
has he een at a++ times( for the same reason that
raits ha%e a+$a's had hair( and +ar=s feathers"
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SECTION %"
On the Ori*in of the Arts"
What $e $ou+d =no$ the )recise theo+o*' of
Thoth( 5erdusht( or Sanchoniathon( a+thou*h $e
=no$ not $ho in%ented the shutt+e" The rst
$ea%er( the rst mason( the rst smith $ere un7
douted+' *reat *eniuses H 'et no account has een
made of them" And $h' !ecause not one of
them in%ented a )erfect art" &e $ho rst ho++o$ed
the trun= of an oa= for the )ur)ose of crossin* a
ri%er did not ui+d *a++e's H nor did the' $ho )i+ed
u) unhe$n stones( and +aid )ieces of $ood across
them( dream of the )'ramids" E%er'thin* is done
' de*rees( and the *+or' e+on*s to no one"
A++ $as done in the dar=( unti+ )hi+oso)hers(
aided ' *eometr'( tau*ht men to )roceed $ith
accurac' and safet'"
It $as +eft for P'tha*oras( on his return from his
tra%e+s( to sho$ $or=men the $a' to ma=e an e>act
sJuare" &e too= three ru+es - one three( one four(
and one %e feet +on*( and $ith these he made a
ri*ht7an*+ed trian*+e" 0oreo%er( it $as found that
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the side furnished a sJuare Must eJua+ to the t$o
sJuares )roduced ' the sides G and 3 H a method of
im)ortance in a++ re*u+ar $or=s"
This is the famous theorem $hich he had rou*ht
Vo+" :B
?G? Phi+oso)hica+
from India( and $hich $e ha%e e+se$here said $as
=no$n in China +on* efore( accordin* to the re7
+ation of the Em)eror Cam7hi" Lon* efore P+ato(
the ree=s made use of a sin*+e *eometrica+ *ure
to dou+e the sJuare"
Arch'tas and Erastothenes in%ented a method of
dou+in* the cue( $hich $as im)ractica+e ' ordi7
nar' *eometr'( and $hich $ou+d ha%e done honor
to Archimedes"
This Archimedes found the method of ca+cu+atin*
e>act+' the Juantit' of a++o' mi>ed $ith *o+dH for
*o+d had een $or=ed for a*es efore the fraud of
the $or=ers cou+d e disco%ered" Kna%er' e>isted
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+on* efore mathematics" The )'ramids( ui+t $ith
the sJuare( and corres)ondin* e>act+' $ith the four
cardina+ )oints( sucient+' sho$ that *eometr' $as
=no$n in E*')t from time immemoria+ H and 'et it
is )ro%ed that E*')t is Juite a ne$ countr'"
Without )hi+oso)h' $e shou+d e +itt+e ao%e
the anima+s that di* or erect their haitations( )re7
)are their food in them( ta=e care of their +itt+e ones
in their d$e++in*s( and ha%e esides the *ood for7
tune( $hich $e ha%e not( of ein* orn read'
c+othed" Vitru%ius( $ho had tra%e++ed in au+ and
S)ain( te++s us that in his time the houses $ere ui+t
of a sort of mortar( co%ered $ith thatch or oa=
shin*+es( and that the )eo)+e did not ma=e use of
ti+es" What $as the time of Vitru%ius It $as that
of Au*ustus" The arts had scarce+' 'et reached
the S)aniards( $ho had mines of *o+d and si+%er H or
Dictionar'" ?G3
the au+s( $ho had fou*ht for ten 'ears a*ainst
Caesar"
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The same Vitru%ius informs us that in the o)u7
+ent and in*enious to$n of 0arsei++es( $hich traded
$ith so man' nations( the roofs $ere on+' of a =ind
of c+a' mi>ed $ith stra$"
&e sa's that the Phr'*ians du* themse+%es hai7
tations in the *roundH the' stuc= )o+es round the
ho++o$( rou*ht them to*ether at the to)( and +aid
earth o%er them" The &urons and the A+*onJuins
are etter +od*ed" This *i%es us no %er' +oft' idea
of Tro'( ui+t ' the *ods( and the )a+ace of Priam -
A))aret domus intus( et atria +on*a )atescuntH
A))arent Priami et %eterum )enetra+ia re*um"
A mi*ht' reach is madeH the rooms concea+ed
A))ear( and a++ the )a+ace is re%ea+ed
The ha++s of audience( and of )u+ic state" DR4DEN"
To e sure( the )eo)+e are not +od*ed +i=e =in*s H
huts are to e seen near the Vatican and near Ver7
sai++es" !esides( industr' rises and fa++s amon* na7
tions ' a thousand re%o+utions -
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Et cam)us ui TroMafuit"
"""" the )+ain $here Tro' once stood"
We ha%e our arts( the ancients had theirs" We
cou+d not ma=e a *a++e' $ith three enches of oars(
ut $e can ui+d shi)s $ith a hundred )ieces of
cannon" We cannot raise oe+is=s a hundred feet
hi*h in a sin*+e )iece( ut our meridians are more
e>act" The 'ssus is un=no$n to us( ut the stus
of L'ons are more %a+ua+e" The Ca)ito+ $as
$orth' of admiration( the church of St" Peter is
?GG Phi+oso)hica+
+ar*er and more eautifu+" The Lou%re is a master7
)iece $hen com)ared $ith the )a+ace of Perse)o+is(
the situation and ruins of $hich do ut te++ of a %ast
monument to araric $ea+th" Rameaus music is
)roa+' etter than that of Timotheus H and there
is not a )icture )resented at Paris in the &a++ of
A)o++o sa+on dA)o++onQ $hich does not e>ce+ the
)aintin*s du* out of &ercu+aneum"
APIS"
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WAS the o> A)is $orshi))ed at 0em)his as a
*od( as a s'mo+( or as an o> It is +i=e+' that the
fanatics re*arded him as a *od( the $ise as mere+'
a s'mo+( and that the more stu)id )art of the )eo)+e
$orshi))ed the o>" Did Cam'ses do ri*ht in
=i++in* this o> $ith his o$n hand Wh' not &e
sho$ed to the imeci+e that their *od mi*ht e )ut
on the s)it $ithout natures armin* herse+f to
a%en*e the sacri+e*e" The E*')tians ha%e een
much e>to++ed" I ha%e not heard of a more misera7
+e )eo)+e" There must a+$a's ha%e een in their
character( and in their *o%ernment( some radica+
%ice $hich has constant+' made %i+e s+a%es of them"
Let it e *ranted that in times a+most un=no$n
the' conJuered the earthH ut in historica+ times
the' ha%e een suMu*ated ' a++ $ho ha%e chosen
to ta=e the trou+e ' the Ass'rians( ' the ree=s(
' the Romans( ' the Aras( ' the 0ame+u=es(
' the Tur=s( ' a++( in short( ut our crusaders( $ho
$ere e%en more i++7ad%ised than the E*')tians $ere
A VAST 0ON/0ENT TO !AR!ARIC WEALT&
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Dictionar'" ?G
co$ard+'" It $as the 0ame+u=e mi+itia that eat
the French under St" Louis" There are( )erha)s(
ut t$o thin*s to+era+e in this nation H the rst is(
that those $ho $orshi))ed an o> ne%er sou*ht to
com)e+ those $ho adored an a)e to chan*e their re7
+i*ionH the second( that the' ha%e a+$a's hatched
chic=ens in o%ens"
We are to+d of their )'ramids H ut the' are
monuments of an ens+a%ed )eo)+e" The $ho+e na7
tion must ha%e een set to $or= on them( or those
unsi*ht+' masses cou+d ne%er ha%e een raised" And
for $hat use $ere the' To )reser%e in a sma++
chamer the mumm' of some )rince( or *o%ernor(
or intendant( $hich his sou+ $as to reanimate at
the end of a thousand 'ears" !ut if the' +oo=ed
for$ard to this resurrection of the od'( $h' did
the' ta=e out the rains efore ema+min* them
Were the E*')tians to e resuscitated $ithout
rains
APOCAL4PSE"
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SECTION I"
./STIN the 0art'r( $ho $rote aout the 'ear
?@< of the Christian era( $as the rst $ho s)o=e of
the A)oca+')se H he attriutes it to the a)ost+e .ohn
the E%an*e+ist" In his dia+o*ue $ith Tr')hon( that
.e$ as=s him if he does not e+ie%e that .erusa+em
is one da' to e re7esta+ished .ustin ans$ers that
he e+ie%es it( as a++ Christians do $ho thin= ari*ht"
#There $as amon* us(# sa's he( #a certain )erson
?GB Phi+oso)hica+
named .ohn( one of the t$e+%e a)ost+es of .esus H
he foreto+d that the faithfu+ sha++ )ass a thousand
'ears in .erusa+em"#
The e+ief in this rei*n of a thousand 'ears $as
+on* )re%a+ent amon* the Christians" This )eriod
$as a+so in *reat credit amon* the enti+es" The
sou+s of the E*')tians returned to their odies at
the end of a thousand 'ears H and( accordin* to
Vir*i+( the sou+s in )ur*ator' $ere e>orcised for
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the same s)ace of time et mi++e )er annos" The
Ne$ .erusa+em of a thousand 'ears $as to ha%e
t$e+%e *ates( in memor' of the t$e+%e a)ost+es H its
form $as to e sJuareH its +en*th( readth( and
hei*ht $ere each to e a thousand stadii i" e"( %e
hundred +ea*ues H so that the houses $ere to e %e
hundred +ea*ues hi*h" It $ou+d e rather disa*ree7
a+e to +i%e in the u))er stor' H ut $e nd a++ this
in the t$ent'7rst cha)ter of the A)oca+')se"
If .ustin $as the rst $ho attriuted the A)oc7
a+')se to St" .ohn( some )ersons ha%e reMected his
testimon'H ecause in the same dia+o*ue $ith the
.e$ Tr')hon he sa's that( accordin* to the re+ation
of the a)ost+es( .esus Christ( $hen he $ent into the
.ordan( made the $ater oi+( $hich( ho$e%er( is not
to e found in an' $ritin* of the a)ost+es"
The same St" .ustin condent+' cites the orac+es
of Si'+sH he moreo%er )retends to ha%e seen the
remains of the )+aces in $hich the se%ent'7t$o in7
ter)reters $ere conned in the E*')tian )haros( in
&erods time" The testimon' of a man $ho had had
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Dictionar'" ?G@
the misfortune to see these )+aces seems to indicate
that he mi*ht )ossi+' ha%e een conned there him7
se+f"
St" Irenaeus( $ho comes after$ards( and $ho a+so
e+ie%ed in the rei*n of a thousand 'ears( te++s us that
he +earned from an o+d man that St" .ohn $rote the
A)oca+')se" !ut St" Irenaeus is re)roached $ith
ha%in* $ritten that there shou+d e ut four *os)e+s(
ecause there are ut four Juarters of the $or+d(
and four cardina+ )oints( and E1e=ie+ sa$ ut four
anima+s" &e ca++s this reasonin* a demonstration"
It must e confessed that Irenaeuss method of dem7
onstratin* is Juite $orth' of .ustins )o$er of si*ht"
C+ement of A+e>andria( in his #E+ecta# mentions
on+' an A)oca+')se of St" Peter( to $hich *reat im7
)ortance $as attached" Tertu++ian( a *reat )artisan
of the thousand 'ears rei*n( not on+' assures us that
St" .ohn foreto+d this resurrection and rei*n of a
thousand 'ears in the cit' of .erusa+em( ut a+so as7
serts that this .erusa+em $as a+read' e*innin* to
form itse+f in the air( $here it had een seen ' a++
the Christians of Pa+estine( and e%en ' the Pa*ans(
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at the +atter end of the ni*ht( for fort' ni*hts suc7
cessi%e+' H ut( unfortunate+'( the cit' a+$a's disa)7
)eared as soon as it $as da'+i*ht"
Ori*en( in his )reface to St" .ohns os)e+( and
in his homi+ies( Juotes the orac+es of the A)oca+')se(
ut he +i=e$ise Juotes the orac+es of Si'+s" And
St" Dion'sius of A+e>andria( $ho $rote aout the
midd+e of the third centur'( sa's( in one of his fra*7
?G9 Phi+oso)hica+
merits )reser%ed ' Euseius( that near+' a++ the doc7
tors reMected the A)oca+')se as a oo= de%oid of rea7
son( and that this oo= $as com)osed( not ' St"
.ohn( ut ' one Cerinthus( $ho made use of a *reat
name to *i%e more $ei*ht to his re%eries"
The Counci+ of Laodicea( he+d in 3B<( did not
rec=on the A)oca+')se amon* the canonica+ oo=s"
It is %er' sin*u+ar that Laodicea( one of the churches
to $hich the A)oca+')se $as addressed( shou+d ha%e
reMected a treasure desi*ned for itse+f( and that the
isho) of E)hesus( $ho attended the counci+( shou+d
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a+so ha%e reMected this oo= of St" .ohn( $ho $as
uried at E)hesus"
It $as %isi+e to a++ e'es that St" .ohn $as contin7
ua++' turnin* aout in his *ra%e( causin* a constant
risin* and fa++in* of the earth" 4et the same )er7
sons $ho $ere sure that St" .ohn $as not Juite dead
$ere a+so sure that he had not $ritten the A)oca+')se"
!ut those $ho $ere for the thousand 'ears rei*n
$ere unsha=en in their o)inion" Su+)icius Se%erus(
in his #Sacred &istor'(# oo= >i"( treats as mad and
im)ious those $ho did not recei%e the A)oca+')se"
At +en*th( after numerous o))ositions of counci+ to
counci+( the o)inion of Su+)icius Se%erus )re%ai+ed"
The matter ha%in* een thus c+eared u)( the Church
came to the decision( from $hich there is no a))ea+(
that the A)oca+')se is incontesta+' St" .ohns"
E%er' Christian communion has a))+ied to itse+f
the )ro)hecies contained in this oo=" The En*+ish
ha%e found in it the re%o+utions of reat !ritain H
Dictionar'" ?G;
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Y
the Lutherans( the trou+es of erman' H the French
reformers( the rei*n of Char+es I8"( and the re*enc'
of Catherine de 0edici( and the' are a++ eJua++'
ri*ht" !ossuet and Ne$ton ha%e oth commented
on the A)oca+')se( 'et( after a++( the e+oJuent dec+a7
mations of the one( and the su+ime disco%eries of the
other( ha%e done them *reater honor than their com7
mentaries"
SECTION II"
T$o *reat men( ut %er' dierent in their *reat7
ness( ha%e commented on the A)oca+')se in the se%7
enteenth centur'- Ne$ton( to $hom such a stud'
$as %er' i++ suited( and !ossuet( $ho $as etter tted
for the underta=in*" !oth *a%e additiona+ $ea)ons
to their enemies( ' their commentaries( and( as has
e+se$here een said( the former conso+ed man=ind
for his su)eriorit' o%er them( $hi+e the +atter made
his enemies reMoice"
The Catho+ics and the Protestants ha%e oth e>7
)+ained the A)oca+')se in their fa%or( and ha%e each
found in it e>act+' $hat has accorded $ith their in7
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terests" The' ha%e made $onderfu+ commentaries
on the *reat east $ith se%en heads and ten horns(
$ith the hair of a +eo)ard( the feet of a ear( the
throat of a +ion( the stren*th of a dra*on( and to u'
and se++ it $as necessar' to ha%e the character and
numer of the east( $hich numer $as BBB"
!ossuet nds that this east $as e%ident+' the
Em)eror Dioc+etian( ' ma=in* an acrostic of his
name" rotius e+ie%ed that it $as TraMan" A curate
?< Phi+oso)hica+
of St" Su+)ice( named La Chetardie( =no$n from
some stran*e ad%entures( )ro%es that the east $as
.u+ian" .urieu )ro%es that the east is the )o)e" One
)reacher has demonstrated that it $as Louis 8IV"
A *ood Catho+ic has demonstrated that it $as Wi+7
+iam( =in* of En*+and" It is not eas' to ma=e them
a++ a*ree"
There ha%e een $arm dis)utes concernin* the
stars $hich fe++ from hea%en to earth( and the sun
and moon( $hich $ere struc= $ith dar=ness in their
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third )arts"
There are se%era+ o)inions res)ectin* the oo= that
the an*e+ made the author of the A)oca+')se eat(
$hich oo= $as s$eet to the mouth and itter to the
stomach" .urieu asserted that the oo=s of his ad7
%ersar' $ere desi*nated there'( and his ar*ument
$as retorted u)on himse+f"
There ha%e een dis)utes aout this %erse - #And
I heard a %oice from hea%en( as the %oice of man'
$aters( and as the %oice of a *reat thunder H and I
heard the %oice of har)ers har)in* on their har)s"#
It is Juite c+ear that it $ou+d ha%e een etter to
ha%e res)ected the A)oca+')se than to ha%e com7
mented u)on it"
Camus( isho) of !e++a'( )rinted in the +ast centur'
a +ar*e oo= a*ainst the mon=s( $hich an unfroc=ed
mon= arid*ed" It $as entit+ed #A)oca+')se(# e7
cause in it he e>)osed the dan*ers and defects of the
monastic +ifeH and #0e+itos A)oca+')se# #A)oc7
a+')se de 0e+iton#Q( ecause 0e+ito( isho) of Sar7
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Dictionar'" ?:
dis( in the second centur'( had )assed for a )ro)het"
This isho)s $or= has none of the oscurities of St"
.ohns A)oca+')se" Nothin* $as e%er c+earer" The
isho) is +i=e a ma*istrate sa'in* to an attorne'(
#4ou are a for*er and a cheat do 'ou com)rehend
me#
The isho) of !e++a' com)utes( in his A)oca+')se
or Re%e+ations( that there $ere in his time ninet'7
ei*ht orders of mon=s endo$ed or mendicant( +i%in*
at the e>)ense of the )eo)+e( $ithout em)+o'in*
themse+%es in the sma++est +aor" &e rec=oned si>
hundred thousand mon=s in Euro)e" The ca+cu+ation
$as a +itt+e strainedH ut it is certain that the rea+
numer of the mon=s $as rather too +ar*e"
&e assures us that the mon=s are enemies to the
isho)s( curates( and ma*istratesH that( amon* the
)ri%i+e*es *ranted to the Corde+iers( the si>th )ri%i7
+e*e is the certaint' of ein* sa%ed( $hate%er horri+e
crime 'ou ma' ha%e committed( )ro%ided 'ou e+on*
to the Order of St" Francis H that the mon=s are +i=e
a)es H the hi*her the' c+im( the )+ainer 'ou see their
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)osteriors H that the name of mon= has ecome so in7
famous and e>ecra+e that it is re*arded ' the mon=s
themse+%es as a fou+ re)roach and the most %io+ent
insu+t that can e oered them"
0' dear reader( $hoe%er 'ou are( minister or
ma*istrate( consider attenti%e+' the fo++o$in* short
e>tract from our isho)s oo= -
#Fi*ure to 'ourse+f the con%ent of the Escoria+ or
of 0onte Cassino( $here the coenoites ha%e e%er'7
?? Phi+oso)hica+
thin* necessar'( usefu+( de+i*htfu+( su)eruous and
su)eraundant since the' ha%e their 'ear+' re%enue
of a hundred and ft' thousand( four hundred thou7
sand( or %e hundred thousand cro$ns H and Mud*e
$hether 0onsieur :Ae has $here$itha+ to a++o$
himse+f and those under him to s+ee) after dinner"
#Then ima*ine an artisan or +aorer( $ith no de7
)endence e>ce)t on the $or= of his hands( and ur7
dened $ith a +ar*e fami+'( toi+in* +i=e a s+a%e e%er'
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da' and at a++ seasons( to feed them $ith the read
of sorro$ and the $ater of tears H and sa'( $hich of
the t$o conditions is )re7eminent in )o%ert'"#
This is a )assa*e from the #E)isco)a+ A)oc7
a+')se# $hich needs no commentar'" A++ that is
$anted is an an*e+ to come and ++ his cu) $ith the
$ine of the mon=s( to s+a=e the thirst of the +aorers
$ho )+o$( so$( and rea)( for the monasteries"
!ut this )re+ate( instead of $ritin* a usefu+ oo=(
on+' com)osed a satire" Consistent+' $ith his di*7
nit'( he shou+d ha%e stated the *ood as $e++ as
e%i+" &e shou+d ha%e ac=no$+ed*ed that the !ene7
dictines ha%e )roduced man' *ood $or=s( and that
the .esuits ha%e rendered *reat ser%ices to +iterature"
&e mi*ht ha%e +essed the rethren of La Charite(
and those of the Redem)tion of the Ca)ti%es" Our
rst dut' is to e Must" Camus *a%e too much sco)e
to his ima*ination" St" Francois de Sa+es ad%ised
him to $rite mora+ romances H ut he aused the ad7
%ice"
Dictionar'" ?3
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ANTI7TRINITARIANS"
T&ESE are heretics $ho mi*ht )ass for other than
Christians" &o$e%er( the' ac=no$+ed*e .esus as
Sa%iour and 0ediatorH ut the' dare to maintain
that nothin* is more contrar' to ri*ht reason than
$hat is tau*ht amon* Christians concernin* the Trin7
it' of )ersons in one on+' di%ine essence( of $hom the
second is e*otten ' the rst( and the third )roceeds
from the other t$o H that this uninte++i*i+e doctrine
is not to e found in an' )art of Scri)ture H that no
)assa*e can e )roduced $hich authori1es it H or to
$hich( $ithout in an' $ise de)artin* from the s)irit
of the te>t( a sense cannot e *i%en more c+ear( more
natura+( or more conforma+e to common notions(
and to )rimiti%e and immuta+e truths H that to main7
tain( as the orthodo> do( that in the di%ine essence
there are se%era+ distinct )ersons( and that the Eterna+
is not the on+' true od( ut that the Son and the
&o+' host must e Moined $ith &im( is to introduce
into the Church of Christ an error the most *ross
and dan*erous( since it is o)en+' to fa%or )o+'the7
ism H that it im)+ies a contradiction( to sa' that there
is ut one od( and that( ne%erthe+ess( there are
three )ersons( each of $hich is tru+' od H that this
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distinction( of one in essence( and three in )erson(
$as ne%er in Scri)tureH that it is manifest+' fa+se(
since it is certain that there are no fe$er essences
than )ersons( nor )ersons than essencesH that the
three )ersons of the Trinit' are either three dierent
?G Phi+oso)hica+
sustances( or accidents of the di%ine tssence( or
that essence itse+f $ithout distinctionH that( in the
rst )+ace( 'ou ma=e three ods H that( in the second(
od is com)osed of accidents H 'ou adore accidents(
and metamor)hose accidents into )ersonsH that( in
the third( 'ou unfounded+' and to no )ur)ose di%ide
an indi%isi+e suMect( and distin*uish into three that
$hich $ithin itse+f has no distinction H that if it e
said that the three )ersona+ities are neither dierent
sustances in the di%ine essence( nor accidents of that
essence( it $i++ e dicu+t to )ersuade ourse+%es that
the' are an'thin* at a++ H that it must not e e+ie%ed
that the most ri*id and decided Trinitarians ha%e
themse+%es an' c+ear idea of the $a' in $hich the
three h')ostases susist in od( $ithout di%idin* &is
sustance( and conseJuent+' $ithout mu+ti)+'in* it H
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that St" Au*ustine himse+f( after ad%ancin* on this
suMect a thousand reasonin*s a+i=e dar= and fa+se(
$as forced to confess that nothin* inte++i*i+e cou+d
e said aout the matter H the' then re)eat the )as7
sa*e ' this father( $hich is( indeed( a %er' sin*u+ar
one- #When(# sa's he( #it is as=ed $hat are the
three( the +an*ua*e of man fai+s and terms are $ant7
in* to e>)ress them"# #Three )ersons( has( ho$e%er(
een said not for the )ur)ose of e>)ressin* an'7
thin*( ut in order to sa' somethin* and not remain
mute"# #Dictum est tres )ersona( non ut a+iJuid
dicer etur( sed ne taceretur"# De Trinit" +i" %" ca)" ; H
that modern theo+o*ians ha%e c+eared u) this matter
no etter H that( $hen the' are as=ed $hat the' un7
Dictionar'" ?
derstand ' the $ord )erson( the' e>)+ain themse+%es
on+' ' sa'in* that it is a certain incom)rehensi+e
distinction ' $hich are distin*uished in one nature
on+'( a Father( a Son( and a &o+' hostH that the
e>)+anation $hich the' *i%e of the terms e*ettin*
and )roceedin*( is no more satisfactor'( since it re7
duces itse+f to sa'in* that these terms indicate certain
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incom)rehensi+e re+ations e>istin* amon* the three
)ersons of the Trinit' H that it ma' e hence *athered
that the state of the Juestion et$een them and the
orthodo> is to =no$ $hether there are in od three
distinctions( of $hich no one has an' denite idea(
and amon* $hich there are certain re+ations of $hich
no one has an' more idea"
From a++ this the' conc+ude that it $ou+d e $iser
to aide ' the testimon' of the a)ost+es( $ho ne%er
s)o=e of the Trinit'( and to anish from re+i*ion for7
e%er a++ terms $hich are not in the scri)tures as
trinit'( )erson( essence( h')ostasis( h')ostatic and
)ersona+ union( incarnation( *eneration( )roceedin*(
and man' others of the same =ind H $hich ein* a7
so+ute+' de%oid of meanin*( since the' are re)resented
' no rea+ e>istence in nature( can e>cite in the under7
standin* none ut fa+se( %a*ue( oscure( and undena7
+e notions"
To this artic+e +et us add $hat Ca+met sa's in his
dissertation on the fo++o$in* )assa*e of the E)ist+e
of .ohn the E%an*e+ist - #For there are three that
ear record in hea%en( the Father( the Word( and the
&o+' host H and these three are one H and there are
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?B Phi+oso)hica+
three that ear $itness in earth( the s)irit( the $ater
and the +ood H and these three are one"# Ca+met
ac=no$+ed*es that these t$o %erses are not in an'
ancient i+eH indeed( it $ou+d e %er' stran*e if
St" .ohn had s)o=en of the Trinit' in a +etter( and
said not a $ord aout it in his os)e+" We nd no
trace of this do*ma( either in the canonica+ or in the
a)ocr')ha+ *os)e+s" A++ these reasons and man'
others mi*ht e>cuse the anti7trinitarians( if the coun7
ci+s had not decided" !ut as the heretics )a' no re7
*ard to counci+s( $e =no$ not $hat measures to ta=e
to confound them" Let us content ourse+%es $ith e7
+ie%in* and $ishin* them to e+ie%e"
APOCR4P&A APOCR4P&AL"
FRO0 T&E REEK WORD SINIF4IN hidden"Q
IT has een %er' $e++ remar=ed that the di%ine
$ritin*s mi*ht( at one and the same time( e sacred
and a)ocr')ha+ H sacred( ecause the' had undout7
ed+' een dictated ' od &imse+f H a)ocr')ha+( e7
cause the' $ere hidden from the nations( and e%en
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from the .e$ish )eo)+e"
That the' $ere hidden from the nations efore the
trans+ation e>ecuted at A+e>andria( under the Pto+7
emies( is an ac=no$+ed*ed truth" .ose)hus dec+ares
it in the ans$er to A))ian( $hich he $rote after A)7
)ians death H and his dec+aration has not +ess stren*th
ecause he see=s to stren*then it ' a fa+e" &e
sa's in his histor' that the .e$ish oo=s ein* a++7
Dictionar'" ?@
di%ine( no forei*n historian or )oet had e%er dared
to s)ea= of them" And( immediate+' after assurin*
us that no one had e%er dared to mention the .e$ish
+a$s( he adds that the historian Theo)om)us( ha%in*
on+' intended to insert somethin* concernin* them in
his histor'( od struc= him $ith madness for thirt'
da's H ut that( ha%in* een informed in a dream that
he $as mad on+' ecause he had $ished to =no$
di%ine thin*s and ma=e them =no$n to the )rofane(
he as=ed )ardon of od( $ho restored him to his
senses"
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.ose)hus in the same )assa*e a+so re+ates that a
)oet named Theodectes( ha%in* said a fe$ $ords
aout the .e$s in his tra*edies( ecame +ind( and
that od did not restore his si*ht unti+ he had done
)enance"
As for the .e$ish )eo)+e( it is certain that there
$as a time $hen the' cou+d not read the di%ine $rit7
in*s H for it is said in the Second !oo= of Kin*s
cha)( >>ii"( %er" 9( and in the Second !oo= of
Chronic+es cha)( >>>i%"( %er" :GQ( that in the rei*n
of .osias the' $ere un=no$n( and that a sin*+e co)'
$as accidenta++' found in the house of the hi*h
)riest &i+=iah"
The t$e+%e tries $hich $ere dis)ersed ' Sha+7
maneser ha%e ne%er re7a))eared H and their oo=s( if
the' had an'( ha%e een +ost $ith them" The t$o
tries $hich $ere in s+a%er' at !a'+on and a++o$ed
to return at the end of se%ent' 'ears( returned $ith7
out their oo=s( or at +east the' $ere %er' scarce and
Vo+" :@
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?9 Phi+oso)hica+
%er' defecti%e( since Esdras $as o+i*ed to restore
them" !ut a+thou*h durin* the !a'+onian ca)ti%it'
these oo=s $ere a)ocr')ha+( that is( hidden or un7
=no$n to the )eo)+e( the' $ere constant+' sacred
the' ore the stam) of di%init' the' $ere( as a++ the
$or+d a*rees( the on+' monument of truth u)on
earth"
We no$ *i%e the name of a)ocr')ha to those
oo=s $hich are not $orth' of e+iefH so suMect are
+an*ua*es to chan*e Catho+ics and Protestants
a*ree in re*ardin* as a)ocr')ha+ in this sense( and
in reMectin*( the )ra'er of 0anasseh( =in* of .udah(
contained in the Second !oo= of Kin*s H the Third
and Fourth !oo=s of 0accaees H the Fourth !oo=
of Esdras H a+thou*h these oo=s $ere incontesta+'
$ritten ' .e$s" !ut it is denied that the authors
$ere ins)ired ' od( +i=e the .e$s"
The other oo=s( reMected ' the Protestants on+'(
and conseJuent+' considered ' them as not ins)ired
' od &imse+f( are the !oo= of Wisdom( thou*h it
is $ritten in the same st'+e as the Pro%ers H Ecc+esi7
asticus( thou*h the st'+e is sti++ the same H the rst
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t$o oo=s of 0accaees( thou*h $ritten ' a .e$(
!ut the' do not e+ie%e this .e$ to ha%e een ins)ired
' od Toit a+thou*h the stor' is edif'in*" The
Mudicious and )rofound Ca+met arms that a )art of
this oo= $as $ritten ' Toit the father( and a )art
' Toit the son H and that a third author added the
conc+usion of the +ast cha)ter( $hich sa's that Toit
the 'oun*er e>)ired at the a*e of one hundred and
Dictionar'" ?;
t$ent'7se%en 'ears( and that he died reMoicin* o%er
the destruction of Nine%eh"
The same Ca+met( at the end of his )reface( has
these $ords - #Neither the stor' itse+f( nor the man7
ner in $hich it is to+d( ears an' fau+ous or ctitious
character" If a++ Scri)ture histories( containin* an'7
thin* of the mar%e++ous or e>traordinar'( $ere to e
reMected( $here is the sacred oo= $hich is to e )re7
ser%ed #
.udith is another oo= reMected ' the Protest7
ants( a+thou*h Luther himse+f dec+ares that #this
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oo= is eautifu+( *ood( ho+'( usefu+( the +an*ua*e of
a ho+' )oet and a )ro)het animated ' the &o+'
S)irit( that had een his instructor(# etc"
It is indeed hard to disco%er at $hat time .udiths
ad%enture ha))ened( or $here the to$n of !ethu+ia
$as" The de*ree of sanctit' in .udiths action has
a+so een dis)utedH ut the oo= ha%in* een de7
c+ared canonica+ ' the Counci+ of Trent( a++ dis)utes
are at an end"
Other oo=s are !aruch( a+thou*h it is $ritten in
the st'+e of a++ the other )ro)hets H Esther( of $hich
the Protestants reMect on+' some additions after the
tenth cha)ter" The' admit a++ the rest of the oo= H
'et no one =no$s $ho Kin* Ahasuerus $as( a+thou*h
he is the )rinci)a+ )erson in the stor'H Danie+( in
$hich the Protestants retrench Susannahs ad%enture
and that of the chi+dren in the furnace H ut the' re7
tain Neuchadne11ars dream and his *ra1in* $ith
the easts"
:B< Phi+oso)hica+
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On the Life of 0oses( an A)ocr')ha+ !oo= of the
&i*hest AntiJuit'"
The ancient oo= $hich contains the +ife and death
of 0oses seems to ha%e een $ritten at the time of the
!a'+onian ca)ti%it'" It $as then that the .e$s
e*an to =no$ the names *i%en to the an*e+s ' the
Cha+daeans and Persians"
&ere $e see the names of 5in*uie+( Samae+( Tsa7
=on( La=ah( and man' others of $hich the .e$s had
made no mention"
The oo= of the death of 0oses seems to ha%e
een $ritten +ater" It is =no$n that the .e$s had
se%era+ %er' ancient +i%es of 0oses and other oo=s(
inde)endent+' of the Pentateuch" In them he $as
ca++ed 0oni( not 0osesH and it is asserted that mo
si*nied $ater( and ni the )artic+e of" &e $as ca++ed
' the *enera+ name of 0e+=" &e recei%ed those of
.oa=im( Adamosi( ThetmosiH and it has een
thou*ht that he $as the same )erson $hom 0ane
thon ca++s O1ar1i)h"
Some of these o+d &ere$ manuscri)ts $ere $ith7
dra$n from their co%erin* of dust in the cainets of
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the .e$s aout the 'ear ::@" The +earned i+ert
aumin( $ho $as a )erfect master of their +an*ua*e(
trans+ated them into Latin aout the 'ear :3"
The' $ere after$ards )rinted and dedicated to Car7
dina+ !e ru+e" The co)ies ha%e ecome e>treme+'
scarce"
Ne%er $ere rainism( the taste for the mar7
Dictionar'" ?B:
%e++ous and the ima*ination of the orienta+s dis7
)+a'ed to *reater e>cess"
Fra*ment of the Life of 0oses"
A hundred and thirt' 'ears after the sett+in* of the
.e$s in E*')t( and si>t' 'ears after the death of the
)atriarch .ose)h( Pharaoh( $hi+e s+ee)in*( had a
dream" &e sa$ an o+d man ho+din* a a+ance H in one
sca+e $ere a++ the inhaitants of E*')t H in the other
$as an infant( and this infant $ei*hed more than a++
the E*')tians to*ether" Pharaoh forth$ith ca++ed
to*ether his shotim( or sa*es" One of the $ise men
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said- #O =in*( this infant is a .e$ $ho $i++ one
da' do *reat e%i+ to 'our =in*dom" Cause a++ the
chi+dren of the .e$s to e s+ain H thus sha+t thou sa%e
th' em)ire( if( indeed( the decrees of fate can e o)7
)osed"#
Pharaoh $as )+eased $ith this ad%ice" &e sent
for the mid$i%es and ordered them to stran*+e a++
the ma+e chi+dren of $hich the .e$esses $ere de+i%7
ered" There $as in E*')t a man named Araham(
son of Keath( husand to .ocaed( sister to his
rother" This .ocaed ore him a dau*hter named
0ar'( si*nif'in* #)ersecuted(# ecause the E*')7
tians( ein* descended from &am( )ersecuted the Is7
rae+ites( $ho $ere e%ident+' descended from Shem"
.ocaed after$ards rou*ht forth Aaron( si*nif'in*
#condemned to death(# ecause Pharaoh had con7
demned a++ the .e$ish infants to death" Aaron and
0ar' $ere )reser%ed ' the an*e+s of the Lord( $ho
?B? Phi+oso)hica+
nursed them in the e+ds and restored them to their
)arents $hen the' had reached the )eriod of ado+es7
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cence"
At +en*th .ocaed had a third chi+dH this $as
0oses( $ho( conseJuent+'( $as fteen 'ears 'oun*er
than his rother" &e $as e>)osed on the Ni+e" Pha7
raohs dau*hter found him $hi+e athin*( had him
nursed and ado)ted him as her son( a+thou*h she $as
not married"
Three 'ears after( her father( Pharaoh( too= a fresh
$ife( on $hich occasion he he+d a *reat feast" &is
$ife $as at his ri*ht hand( and at his +eft $as his
dau*hter( $ith +itt+e 0oses" The chi+d( in s)ort( too=
the cro$n and )ut it on his head" !a+aam( the ma*i7
cian( the =in*s eunuch( then reca++ed his maMest's
dream" #!eho+d(# said he( #the chi+d $ho is one da'
to do so much mischief The s)irit of od is in
him" What he has Must no$ done is a )roof that he
has a+read' formed the desi*n of dethronin* 'ou"
&e must instant+' e )ut to death"# This idea )+eased
Pharaoh much"
The' $ere aout to =i++ +itt+e 0oses $hen the Lord
sent his an*e+ arie+( dis*uised as one of Pharaohs
ocers( to sa' to him - #0' +ord( $e shou+d not )ut
to death an innocent chi+d( $hich is not 'et come to
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'ears of discretion H he )ut on 'our cro$n on+' e7
cause he $ants Mud*ment" 4ou ha%e on+' to +et a
ru' and a urnin* coa+ e )resented to him H if he
choose the coa+( it is c+ear that he is a +oc=head $ho
$i++ ne%er do an' harm H ut if he ta=e the ru' it
Dictionar'" ?B3
$i++ e a si*n that he has too much sense to urn his
n*ers H then +et him e s+ain"#
A ru' and a coa+ $ere immediate+' rou*ht"
0oses did not fai+ to ta=e the ru'H ut the an*e+
arie+( ' a sort of +e*erdemain( s+i))ed the coa+
into the )+ace of the )recious stone" 0oses )ut the
coa+ into his mouth and urned his ton*ue so hor7
ri+' that he stammered e%er afterH and this $as
the reason that the .e$ish +a$*i%er cou+d ne%er
articu+ate"
0oses $as fteen 'ears o+d and a fa%orite $ith
Pharaoh" A &ere$ came to com)+ain to him that
an E*')tian had eaten him after +'in* $ith his $ife"
0oses =i++ed the E*')tian" Pharaoh ordered 0oses
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+o$ ce++ and a++o$in* him on+' read and $ater"
0oses *re$ fat in his dun*eon( at $hich .ethro $as
Juite astonished" &e $as not a$are that his dau*hter
Se)hora had fa++en in +o%e $ith the )risoner( and
e%er' da'( $ith her o$n hands( carried him
)artrid*es and Juai+s( $ith e>ce++ent $ine" &e con7
c+uded that 0oses $as )rotected ' od and did not
*i%e him u) to Pharaoh"
&o$e%er( .ethro the )riest $ished to ha%e his
dau*hter married" &e had in his *arden a tree of
sa))hire( on $hich $as en*ra%en the $ord .aho or
.eho%ah" &e caused it to e )u+ished throu*hout
the countr' that he $ou+d *i%e his dau*hter to him
$ho cou+d tear u) the sa))hire tree" Se)horas +o%ers
)resented themse+%es( ut none of them cou+d so
much as end the tree" 0oses( $ho $as on+' se%ent'7
se%en 'ears o+d( tore it u) at once $ithout an eort"
&e married Se)hora( ' $hom he soon had a ne
o' named erson"
As he $as one da' $a+=in* in a sma++ $ood( he
met od $ho had former+' ca++ed &imse+f Sadai(
and then ca++ed &imse+f .eho%ahQ( and od ordered
him to *o and $or= mirac+es at Pharaohs court" &e
set out $ith his $ife and son" On the $a' the' met
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an an*e+ to $hom no name is *i%enQ( $ho ordered
Se)hora to circumcise +itt+e erson $ith a =nife made
Dictionar'" ?B
of stone" od sent Aaron on the same errand( ut
Aaron thou*ht his rother had done $ron* in marr'7
in* a 0idianite H he ca++ed her a %er' coarse name( and
+itt+e erson a astard( and sent them the shortest
$a' ac= to their o$n countr'"
Aaron and 0oses then $ent to Pharaohs )a+ace
' themse+%es" The *ate of the )a+ace $as *uarded
' t$o +ions of an enormous si1e" !a+aam( one of
the =in*s ma*icians( seein* the t$o rothers come(
set the +ions u)on themH ut 0oses touched them
$ith his rod( and the +ions( hum+' )rostratin* them7
se+%es( +ic=ed the feet of Aaron and 0oses" The
=in*( in astonishment( had the t$o )i+*rims rou*ht
into the )resence of a++ his ma*icians( that the' mi*ht
stri%e $hich cou+d $or= the most mirac+es"
The author here re+ates the ten )+a*ues of E*')t(
near+' as the' are re+ated in E>odus" &e on+' adds
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that 0oses co%ered a++ E*')t $ith +ice( to the de)th of
a cuitH and that he sent amon* a++ the E*')tians
+ions( $o+%es( ears( and ti*ers( $hich ran into a++ the
houses( not$ithstandin* that the doors $ere o+ted(
and de%oured a++ the +itt+e chi+dren"
Accordin* to this $riter( it $as not the .e$s $ho
ed throu*h the Red Sea H it $as Pharaoh( $ho ed
that $a' $ith his arm' - the .e$s ran after him H the
$aters se)arated ri*ht and +eft to see them *htH
and a++ the E*')tians( e>ce)t the =in*( $ere s+ain
u)on the sand" Then the =in*( ndin* that his o$n
$as the $ea=er side( as=ed )ardon of od" 0ichae+
and arie+ $ere sent to him and con%e'ed him to
?BB Phi+oso)hica+
the cit' of Nine%eh( $here he rei*ned four hundred
'ears"
The Death of 0oses"
od had dec+ared to the )eo)+e of Israe+ that the'
shou+d not *o out of E*')t unti+ the' had once more
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found the tom of .ose)h" 0oses found it and car7
ried it on his shou+ders throu*h the Red Sea" od
to+d him that &e $ou+d ear in mind this *ood action
and $ou+d assist him at the time of his death" When
0oses had +i%ed si> score 'ears( od came to an7
nounce to him that he must die and had ut three
hours more to +i%e" The ad an*e+ Samae+ $as )res7
ent at the con%ersation" As soon as the rst hour had
)assed he e*an to +au*h for Mo' that he shou+d so
soon carr' o the sou+ of 0oses H and 0ichae+ e*an
to $ee)" #!e not reMoiced( thou $ic=ed east(# said
the *ood to the ad an*e+ H #0oses is *oin* to die(
ut $e ha%e .oshua in his stead"#
When the three hours had e+a)sed od com7
manded arie+ to ta=e the d'in* mans sou+" arie+
e**ed to e e>cused" 0ichae+ did the same" These
t$o an*e+s ha%in* refused( od addressed &imse+f
to 5in*uie+" !ut this an*e+ $as no more $i++in* to
oe' than the others" #I(# said he( #$as former+' hi*
)rece)tor( and I $i++ not =i++ m' disci)+e"# Then od(
ein* an*r'( said to the ad an*e+ Samae+( #We++(
then( $ic=ed one( thou must ta=e his sou+"# Samae+
Mo'fu++' dre$ his s$ord and ran u) to 0oses" The
d'in* man rose u) in $rath( his e'es s)ar=+in* $ith
re" #What thou %i++ain(# said 0oses( #$ou+dst
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Dictionar'" ?B@
thou dare to =i++ me me( $ho $hen a chi+d( )ut on
m' head the cro$n of a Pharaoh H $ho ha%e $or=ed
mirac+es at the a*e of ei*ht' 'earsH $ho ha%e +ed
si>t' mi++ions of men out of E*')t H $ho ha%e cut the
Red Sea in t$oH $ho ha%e conJuered t$o =in*s so
ta++ that at the time of the ood the' $ere not =nee7
dee) in $ater !e*one( 'ou rasca+ H +ea%e m' )res7
ence instant+'"#
This a+tercation +asted a fe$ moments +on*er(
durin* $hich time arie+ )re)ared a +itter to con%e'
the sou+ of 0oses( 0ichae+ a )ur)+e mant+e( and 5in7
*uie+ a cassoc=" od then +aid &is hands on 0oses
reast and too= a$a' his sou+"
It is to this histor' that St" .ude the a)ost+e a++udes
in his e)ist+e $hen he sa's that the archan*e+
0ichae+ contended $ith the de%i+ for the od' of
0oses" As this fact is to e found on+' in the oo=
$hich I ha%e Must Juoted( it is e%ident that St" .ude
had read it( and that he considered it as a canonica+
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oo="
The second histor' of the death of 0oses is +i=e7
$ise a con%ersation $ith od" It is no +ess )+easant
and curious than the rst" A )art of this dia+o*ue is
as fo++o$s -
0oses" I )ra' Thee( O Lord( +et me enter the
+and of )romise( at +east for t$o or three 'ears"
od" NoH 0' decree e>)ress+' saith that thou
sha+t not enter it"
0oses" rant( at +east( that I ma' e carried
thither after m' death"
?B9 Phi+oso)hica+
od" NoH neither dead nor a+i%e"
0oses" A+as ut( *ood Lord( thou sho$est such
c+emenc' to Th' creaturesH Thou )ardonest them
t$ice or three timesH I ha%e sinned ut once( and
am not to e for*i%en
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od" Thou =no$est not $hat thou sa'est H thou
hast committed si> sins" I rememer to ha%e s$orn
th' death( or the destruction of Israe+ H one of the
t$o must e accom)+ished" If thou $i+t +i%e Israe+
must )erish"
0oses" O Lord( e not so hast'" A++ is in Th'
hands" Let 0oses )erish( rather than one sou+ in
Israe+"
After se%era+ discourses of this sort( the echo of
the mountain sa's to 0oses( #Thou hast ut %e
hours to +i%e"# At the end of %e hours od sends
for arie+( 5in*uie+ and Samae+" &e )romises
0oses that he sha++ e uried and carries a$a' his
sou+"
When $e reect that near+' the $ho+e earth has
een infatuated ' simi+ar stories( and that the' ha%e
formed the education of man=ind( the fa+es of Pi+7
)a'( Lo=man( or Eso) a))ear Juite reasona+e"
A)ocr')ha+ !oo=s of the Ne$ La$"
There $ere ft' *os)e+s( a++ %er' dierent from
one another( of $hich there remain on+' four entire
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that of .ames( that of Nicodemus( that of the in7
fanc' of .esus( and that of the irth of 0ar'" Of
the rest $e ha%e nothin* more than fra*ments and
s+i*ht notices"
Dictionar'" ?B;
The tra%e++er Tournefort( sent into Asia ' Louis
8IV"( informs us that the eor*ians ha%e )reser%ed
the *os)e+ of the Infanc'( $hich $as )roa+' com7
municated to them ' the A1menians"
In the e*innin*( se%era+ of these *os)e+s( no$ re7
*arded as a)ocr')ha+( $ere cited as authentic( and
$ere e%en the on+' *os)e+s that $ere cited" In the
Acts of the A)ost+es $e nd these $ords uttered '
St" Pau+ cha)( >>"( %er" 3Q( #And rememer the
$ords of the Lord .esus( ho$ &e said( it is more
+essed to *i%e than to recei%e"#
St" !arnaas( in his Catho+ic E)ist+e Nos" G and
@Q ( ma=es .esus Christ s)ea= thus - #Let us resist a++
iniJuit' H +et us hate it" Such as $ou+d see 0e enter
into 0' =in*dom must fo++o$ 0e throu*h )ain and
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sorro$"#
St" C+ement( in his second E)ist+e to the Corin7
thians( )uts these $ords into the mouth of .esus
Christ - #If 'ou are assem+ed in 0' osom and do
not fo++o$ 0' commandments( I sha++ reMect 'ou and
sa' to 'ou( De)art from 0e H I =no$ 'ou not H de7
)art from 0e( 'e $or=ers of iniJuit'" #
&e after$ards attriutes to .esus Christ these
$ords- #Kee) 'our esh chaste and the sea+ un7
s)otted( in order that 'ou ma' recei%e eterna+ +ife"#
In the A)osto+ica+ Constitutions( com)osed in the
second centur'( $e nd these $ords - #.esus Christ
has said( !e 'e honest e>chan*e ro=ers" #
We nd man' simi+ar Juotations( not one of $hich
is ta=en from the four *os)e+s reco*ni1ed ' the
i'o Phi+oso)hica+
Church as the on+' canonica+ ones" The' are( for the
most )art( ta=en from the *os)e+ accordin* to the
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&ere$s( a *os)e+ $hich $as trans+ated ' St" .e7
rome( and is no$ considered as a)ocr')ha+"
St" C+ement the Roman sa's( in his second E)ist+e -
#The Lord( ein* as=ed $hen his rei*n shou+d come(
ans$ered - When t$o sha++ ma=e one( $hen that
$hich is $ithout sha++ e $ithin( $hen the ma+e sha++
e fema+e( and $hen there sha++ e neither fema+e
nor ma+e" #
These $ords are ta=en from the *os)e+ accordin*
to the E*')tians H and the te>t is re)eated entire '
St" C+ement of A+e>andria" !ut $hat cou+d the
author of the E*')tian *os)e+s( and $hat cou+d St"
C+ement himse+f e thin=in* of The $ords $hich
he Juotes are inMurious to .esus Christ H the' *i%e us
to understand that &e did not e+ie%e that &is rei*n
$ou+d come at a++" To sa' that a thin* $i++ ta=e
)+ace $hen t$o sha++ ma=e one( $hen the ma+e sha++
e fema+e( is to sa' that it $i++ ne%er ta=e )+ace" A
)assa*e +i=e this is rainica+( much rather than e%an7
*e+ica+"
There $ere a+so t$o a)ocr')ha+ Acts of the
A)ost+es" The' are Juoted ' St" E)i)hanius" In
these Acts it is re+ated that St" Pau+ $as the son of
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an ido+atrous father and mother( and turned .e$ in
order to marr' the dau*hter of ama+ie+ H and that
either ein* refused( or not ndin* her a %ir*in( he
too= )art $ith the disci)+es of .esus" This is nothin*
+ess than +as)hem' a*ainst St" Pau+"
Dictionar'" ?@:
The Other A)ocr')ha+ !oo=s of the First and Sec7
ond Centuries"
i"
The !oo= of Enoch( the se%enth man after Adam(
$hich mentions the $ar of the ree++ious an*e+s(
under their ca)tain( Samasia( a*ainst the faithfu+
an*e+s +ed ' 0ichae+" The oMect of the $ar $as
to enMo' the dau*hters of men( as has een said in
the artic+e on #An*e+"#
n"
The Acts of St" Thec+a and St" Pau+( $ritten ' a
disci)+e named .ohn( attached to St" Pau+" In this
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histor' Thec+a esca)es from her )ersecutors to *o to
St" Pau+( dis*uised as a man" She a+so a)ti1es a
+ion H ut this ad%enture $as after$ards su))ressed"
&ere( too( $e ha%e the )ortrait of Pau+- Statura
re%i( ca+%astrum( crurius cur%is( sorosum( su)er7
ci+iis Munctis( naso aJui+ino( )+enum *ratia Dei"
A+thou*h this stor' $as recommended ' St"
re*or' Na1ian1en( St" Amrose( St" .ohn Chr'sos7
tom( and others( it had no re)utation amon* the
other doctors of the Church"
in"
The Preachin* of Peter" This $ritin* is a+so
ca++ed the os)e+ or Re%e+ation of Peter" St" C+e7
ment of A+e>andria s)ea=s of it $ith *reat )raiseH
ut it is eas' to )ercei%e that some im)ostor had
ta=en that a)ost+es name"
?@? Phi+oso)hica+
IV"
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The Acts of Peter( a $or= eJua++' su))osititious"
%"
The Testament of the T$e+%e Patriarchs" It is
douted $hether this oo= is ' a .e$ or a Christian
of the )rimiti%e a*es H for it is said in the Testament
of Le%i that at the end of the se%enth $ee= there
sha++ come )riests *i%en to ido+atr' e++atores(
a%ari( scries iniJui( im)udici( )uerorum corru)tores
et )ecorumH that there sha++ then e a ne$ )riest7
hoodH that the hea%ens sha++ e o)enedH and that
the *+or' of the 0ost &i*h( and the s)irit of inte++i7
*ence and sanctication( sha++ descend u)on this
ne$ )riest H $hich seems to forete++ .esus Christ"
VI"
The Letter of A*arus( a )retended =in* of
Edessa( to .esus Christ( and .esus Christs ans$er to
Kin* A*arus" It is( indeed( e+ie%ed that( in the
time of Tierius( there $as a to)arch of Edessa $ho
had )assed from the ser%ice of the Persians into that
of the Romans( ut his e)isto+ar' corres)ondence
has een considered ' a++ *ood critics as a chimera"
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VII"
The Acts of Pi+ate" Pi+ates +etter to Tierius on
the death of .esus Christ" The +ife of Procu+a(
Pi+ates $ife"
VIII"
The Acts of Peter and Pau+( in $hich is the his7
Dictionar'" ?@3
tor' of St" Peters Juarre+ $ith Simon the ma*ician"
Adias( 0arce++us( and &e*esi))us ha%e a++ three
$ritten this stor'" St" Peter rst dis)uted $ith
Simon $hich shou+d resuscitate one of the Em)eror
Neros re+ati%es( $ho had Must diedH Simon ha+f
restored him( and St" Peter nished the resurrec7
tion" Simon ne>t e$ u) in the air( ut Peter
rou*ht him do$n a*ain( and the ma*ician ro=e his
+e*s" The Em)eror Nero( incensed at the death of
his ma*ician( had St" Peter crucied $ith his head
do$n$ards( and St" Pau+ deca)itated( as one of St"
Peters )art'"
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I8"
The Acts of !+essed Pau+ the A)ost+e and Teacher
of the Nations" In this oo= St" Pau+ is made to
+i%e at Rome for t$o 'ears after St" Peters death"
The author sa's that $hen St" Pau+s head $as cut
o there issued forth mi+= instead of +ood( and that
Lucina( a de%out $oman( had him uried t$ent'
mi+es from Rome( on the $a' to Ostia( at her countr'
house"
>"
The Acts of the !+essed A)ost+e Andre$" The
author re+ates that St" Andre$ $ent to the cit' of the
0'rmidons and that he a)ti1ed a++ the citi1ens" A
'oun* man named Sostratus( of the to$n of Amarea(
$hich is at +east etter =no$n than that of the
0'rmidons( came and said to the +essed Andre$ -
#I am so handsome that m' mother has concei%ed a
)assion for me" I ahorred so e>ecra+e a crime(
Vo+" s :B
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?@G Phi+oso)hica+
and ha%e ed" 0' mother( in her fur'( accuses me
to the )roconsu+ of the )ro%ince of ha%in* attem)ted
to %io+ate her" I can ma=e no ans$er( for I $ou+d
rather die than accuse m' mother"# Whi+e he $as
'et s)ea=in*( the *uards of the )roconsu+ came and
sei1ed him" St" Andre$ accom)anied the son efore
the Mud*e( and )+eaded his cause" The mother( not
at a++ disconcerted( accused St" Andre$ himse+f of
ha%in* insti*ated her son to the crime" The )ro7
consu+ immediate+' ordered St" Andre$ to e thro$n
into the ri%er H ut( the a)ost+e ha%in* )ra'ed to od(
there came a *reat earthJua=e( and the mother $as
struc= ' a thundero+t"
After se%era+ ad%entures of the same sort the
author has St" Andre$ crucied at Patras"
8I"
The Acts of St" .ames the reater" The author
has him condemned to death at .erusa+em ' the
)onti( and( efore his cruci>ion( he a)ti1es the
re*istrar"
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8II"
The Acts of St" .ohn the E%an*e+ist" The author
re+ates that( at E)hesus of $hich )+ace St" .ohn
$a* isho) Drusi++a( ein* con%erted ' him( de7
sired no more of her husand Andronicuss com7
)an'( ut retired into a tom" A 'oun* man named
Ca++imachus( in +o%e $ith her( re)eated+' )ressed
her( e%en in her tom( to consent to the *ratication
of his )assion" Drusi++a( ein* ur*ed oth ' her
husand and her +o%er( $ished for death( and o7
Dictionar'" ?@
tained it" Ca++imachus( $hen informed of her +oss(
$as sti++ more furious $ith +o%e H he ried one of
Andronicuss domestics( $ho had the =e's of the
tomH he ran to it( stri))ed his mistress of her
shroud( and e>c+aimed( #What thou $ou+dst not
*rant me +i%in*( thou sha+t *rant me dead"# A
ser)ent instant+' issued from the tom H the 'oun*
man faintedH the ser)ent =i++ed him( as a+so the
domestic $ho $as his accom)+ice( and coi+ed itse+f
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round his od'" St" .ohn arri%es $ith the husand(
and( to their astonishment( the' nd Ca++imachus
a+i%e" St .ohn orders the ser)ent to de)art( and
the ser)ent oe's" &e as=s the 'oun* man ho$ he
has een resuscitated" Ca++imachus ans$ered that
an an*e+ had a))eared to him( sa'in*( #It $as neces7
sar' that thou shou+dst die in order to re%i%e a
Christian"# &e immediate+' as=ed to e a)ti1ed(
and e**ed that .ohn $ou+d resuscitate Drusi++a"
The a)ost+e ha%in* instant+' $or=ed this mirac+e(
Ca++imachus and Drusi++a )ra'ed that he $ou+d a+so
e so *ood as to resuscitate the domestic" The +at7
ter( $ho $as an ostinate )a*an( ein* restored to
+ife( dec+ared that he $ou+d rather die than e a
Christian( and( accordin*+'( he incontinent+' died
a*ain H on $hich St" .ohn said that a ad tree a+$a's
ears ad fruit"
Aristodemus( hi*h7)riest of E)hesus( thou*h
struc= ' such a )rodi*'( $ou+d not e con%erted H
he said to St" .ohn- #Permit me to )oison 'ouH
and( if 'ou do not die( I $i++ e con%erted"# The
?MB Phi+oso)hica+
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a)ost+e acce)ted the )ro)osa+ H ut he chose that
Aristodemus shou+d rst )oison t$o E)hesians con7
demned to death" Aristodemus immediate+' )re7
sented to them the )oison( and the' instant+' e>7
)ired" St" .ohn too= the same )oison( $hich did
him no harm" &e resuscitated the t$o dead men(
and the hi*h7)riest $as con%erted"
St" .ohn ha%in* attained the a*e of ninet'7se%en
'ears( .esus Christ a))eared to him( and said( #It is
time for thee to come to 0' ta+e( and feast $ith
th' rethren#H and soon after the a)ost+e s+e)t in
)eace"
8III"
The &istor' of the !+essed .ames the Less( and
the rothers Simon and .ude" These a)ost+es $ent
into Persia( and )erformed thin*s as incredi+e as
those re+ated of St" Andre$"
8IV"
The Acts of St" 0atthe$( a)ost+e and e%an*e+ist"
St" 0atthe$ *oes into Ethio)ia( to the *reat to$n
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of Nada%er( $here he restores to +ife the son of
6ueen Candace( and founds Christian churches"
>%"
The Acts of the !+essed !artho+ome$ in India"
!artho+ome$ $ent rst to the tem)+e of Astaroth"
This *oddess de+i%ered orac+es( and cured a++ dis7
eases" !artho+ome$ si+enced her( and made sic= a++
those $hom she had cured" Kin* Po+imius dis)uted
$ith himH the de%i+ dec+ared( efore the =in*( that
Dictionar' ?@@
he $as conJuered( and St" !artho+ome$ consecrated
Kin* Po+imius isho) of the Indies"
8VI"
The Acts of the !+essed Thomas( a)ost+e of In7
dia" St" Thomas entered India ' another road( and
$or=ed more mirac+es than St" !artho+ome$" &e at
+ast suered mart'rdom( and a))eared to 8i)horo
and Susani"
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8VII"
The Acts of the !+essed Phi+i)" &e $ent to
)reach in Sc'thia" The' $ished to ma=e him a sac7
rice to 0ars( ut he caused a dra*on to issue from
the a+tar and de%our the chi+dren of the )riests" &e
died at &iera)o+is( at the a*e of ei*ht'7se%en" It is
not =no$n $hat to$n this $as( for there $ere se%era+
of the name"
A++ these histories are su))osed to ha%e een
$ritten ' Adias( isho) of !a'+on( and $ere
trans+ated ' .u+ius Africanus"
8VIII"
To these auses of the &o+' Scri)tures $as added
one +ess re%o+tin* one $hich did not fai+ in res)ect
for Christianit'( +i=e those $hich ha%e Must een
+aid efore the reader( %i1"( the Litur*ies attriuted
to St" .ames( St" Peter( and St" 0ar=( the fa+sehood
of $hich has een sho$n ' the +earned Ti++emont"
8I8"
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Faricius )+aces amon* the a)ocr')ha+ $ritin*s
the &omi+' attriuted to St" Au*ustineQ on the
?' 9 Phi+oso)hica+
manner in $hich the S'mo+ $as formed" !ut he
certain+' does not mean to insinuate that this S'm7
o+ or Creed( $hich $e ca++ the A)ost+es( is the +ess
true and sacred" It is said in this &omi+'( in Runus(
and after$ards in Isidorus( that ten da's after the
ascension( the a)ost+es( ein* shut u) to*ether for
fear of the .e$s( Peter said( #I e+ie%e in od( the
Father A+mi*ht'H# Andre$( #and in .esus Christ(
&is on+' son H# .ames( #$ho $as concei%ed ' the
&o+' hostH# and that thus( each a)ost+e ha%in*
re)eated an artic+e( the Creed $as com)+eted"
This stor' not ein* in the Acts of the A)ost+es(
our e+ief in it is dis)ensed $ith ut not our e+ief
in the Creed( of $hich the a)ost+es tau*ht the su7
stance" Truth must not suer from the fa+se orna7
ments in $hich it has een sou*ht to arra' her"
>>"
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The A)osto+ica+ Constitutions" The Constitutions
of the &o+' A)ost+es( $hich $ere former+' su))osed
to ha%e een di*ested ' St" C+ement the Roman( are
no$ ran=ed amon* the a)ocr')ha+ $ritin*s" The
readin* of a fe$ cha)ters is sucient to sho$ that
the a)ost+es had no share in this $or=" In the
e+e%enth cha)ter( $omen are ordered not to rise e7
fore the ninth hour" In the rst cha)ter of the
second oo= it is desired that isho)s shou+d e
+earned( ut in the time of the a)ost+es there $as no
hierarch' no isho) attached to a sin*+e church"
The' $ent aout teachin* from to$n to to$n( from
Dictionar'" ?@;
ti++a*e to %i++a*eH the' $ere ca++ed a)ost+es( not
isho)sH and( ao%e a++ thin*s( the' did not )ride
themse%es on ein* +earned"
In the second cha)ter of the second oo= it is
said that a isho) shou+d ha%e ut one $ife( to ta=e
*reat care of his househo+d H $hich on+' *oes to )ro%e
that at the c+ose of the rst and the commencement
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of the second centur'( $hen the hierarch' $as e7
*innin* to e esta+ished( the )riests $ere married"
Throu*h a+most the $ho+e oo= the isho)s are
re*arded as the Mud*es of the faithfu+ H ut it is $e++
=no$n that the a)ost+es had no Murisdiction"
It is said( in cha)ter >>i"( that oth )arties must
e heardH $hich su))oses an esta+ished Murisdic7
tion" In cha)ter >>%i" it is said( #The isho) is 'our
)rince( 'our =in*( 'our em)eror( 'our od u)on
earth"# These e>)ressions are some$hat at %ari7
ance $ith the humi+it' of the a)ost+es"
In cha)ter >>%iii"( #At the feasts of the A*a)ae(
there must e *i%en to the deacon dou+e that $hich
is *i%en to an o+d $oman( and to the )riest dou+e
the *ift to the deacon( ecause the )riests are the
counse++ors of the isho)s and the cro$n of the
Church" The reader sha++ ha%e a )ortion( in honor
of the )ro)hets( as a+so the chanter and the door7
=ee)er" Such of the +ait' as $ish to recei%e an'thin*
sha++ a))+' to the isho) throu*h the deacon"# The
a)ost+es ne%er used an' term ans$erin* to +ait'( or
mar=in* the dierence et$een the )rofane and the
)riesthood"
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?9< Phi+oso)hica+
In cha)ter >>>i%"( #4ou must re%erence the
isho) as a =in*( honor him as a master( and *i%e
him 'our fruits( the $or=s of 'our hands( 'our rst
fruits( 'our tenths( 'our sa%in*s( the )resents that
are made to 'ou( 'our corn( 'our $ine( 'our oi+(
'our $oo+(# etc" This is a stron* artic+e"
In cha)ter I%ii"( #Let the church e +on*H +et it
+oo= to$ards the East H +et it resem+e a shi) H +et the
isho)s throne e in the midd+e H +et the reader read
the oo=s of 0oses( .oshua( .ud*es( Kin*s( Chroni7
c+es( .o(# etc"
In cha)ter >%ii" of the third oo=( #!a)tism is
administered for the death of .esus H oi+ for the &o+'
host" When $e are )+un*ed into the $ater( $e
die H $hen $e come out of it( $e re%i%e" The Father
is the od of a++" Christ is the on+' Son of od(
his e+o%ed Son( and the Lord of *+or'" The &o+'
S)irit is the Parac+ete( sent ' Christ the teacher(
)reachin* Christ .esus"# This doctrine $ou+d no$
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e e>)+ained in more canonica+ terms"
In cha)ter %ii" of the fth oo= are Juoted some
%erses of the Si'+s on the comin* of .esus and the
resurrection" This $as the rst time that the Chris7
tians admitted the %erses of the Si'+s( $hich the'
continued to do for more than three hundred 'ears"
In cha)ter %" of the ei*hth oo= are these $ords-
#O od A+mi*ht'( *i%e to the isho)( throu*h
Christ( the )artici)ation of the &o+' S)irit"# In
cha)ter i%"( #Commend 'ourse+f to od a+one(
throu*h .esus Christ#H $hich does not sucient+'
Dictionar'" ?9:
e>)ress the di%init' of our Lord" In cha)ter >ii" is
the Constitution of .ames( the rother of 5eedee"
In cha)ter >%" the deacon is to sa' a+oud( #Inc+ine
'ourse+%es efore od throu*h Christ"# At the )res7
ent da' these e>)ressions are not %er' correct"
88I"
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The A)osto+ica+ Canons" The si>th canon ordains
that no isho) or )riest sha++ se)arate himse+f from
his $ife on )retence of re+i*ion H if he do so( he is to
e e>communicated( and if he )ersist he is to e
dri%en a$a'" The se%enth that no )riest sha++ e%er
medd+e $ith secu+ar aairs" The nineteenth that
he $ho has married t$o sisters sha++ not e admitted
into the c+er*'" The t$ent'7rst and t$ent'7second
that eunuchs sha++ e admitted into the )riesthood
e>ce)tin* such as ha%e castrated themse+%es" 4et
Ori*en $as a )riest( not$ithstandin* this +a$" The
ft'7fth that if a isho)( a )riest( a deacon( or a
c+er= eat esh $hich is not c+ear of +ood( he sha++
e dis)+aced" It is Juite e%ident that these canons
cou+d not e )romu+*ated ' the a)ost+es"
88II"
The Confessions of St" C+ement to .ames( rother
of the Lord( in ten oo=s( trans+ated from ree= into
Latin ' Runus" This oo= commences $ith a dout
res)ectin* the immorta+it' of the sou+ - #/trumne
sit mihi a+iJua %ita )ost mortem( an nihi+ omnino
)ostea sim futurns"# St" C+ement( distured ' this
dout and $ishin* to =no$ $hether the $or+d $as
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?9? Phi+oso)hica+
eterna+ or had een created $hether there $ere a
Tartarus and a Ph+e*ethon( an I>ion and a Tanta+us(
etc"( reso+%ed to *o into E*')t to +earn necromanc'(
ut ha%in* heard of St" !artho+ome$( $ho $as
)reachin* Christianit'( he $ent to him in the East(
at the time $hen !arnaas $as ce+eratin* a .e$ish
feast" &e after$ards met St" Peter at Caesarea( $ith
Simon the ma*ician and 5acchaeus( The' dis)uted
to*ether( and St" Peter re+ated to them a++ that had
)assed since the death of .esus" C+ement turned
Christian( ut Simon remained a ma*ician"
Simon fe++ in +o%e $ith a $oman named Luna(
and( $hi+e $aitin* to marr' her( he )ro)osed to St"
Peter( to 5acchseus( to La1arus( to" Nicodemus( to
Dositheus( and to se%era+ others( that the' shou+d
ecome his disci)+es" Dositheus ans$ered him at
once $ith a +o$ from a stic= H ut the stic= ha%in*
)assed throu*h Simons od' as if it had een smo=e(
Dositheus $orshi))ed him and ecame his +ieutenant(
after $hich Simon married his mistress end dec+ared
that she $as Luna herse+f( descended from hea%en
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to marr' him"
!ut enou*h of the Confessions of St" C+ement"
It must( ho$e%er( e remar=ed that in the ninth
oo= the Chinese are s)o=en of under the name
of Seres as the Mustest and $isest of man=ind" After
them come the !rahmins( to $hom the author does
the Mustice that $as rendered them ' a++ antiJuit'"
&e cites them as mode+s of soerness( mi+dness( and
Mustice"
Dictionar'" ?93
88III"
St" Peters Letter to St" .ames( and St" C+ements
Letter to the same St" .ames( rother of the Lord(
*o%ernor of the &o+' Church of the &ere$s at
.erusa+em( and of a++ churches" St" Peters Letter
contains nothin* curious( ut St" C+ements is %er'
remar=a+e" &e asserts that Peter dec+ared him
isho) of Rome efore his death( and his coadMutor H
that he +aid his hands u)on his head( and made him
sit in the e)isco)a+ chair in the )resence of a++ the
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faithfu+ H and that he said to him( #Fai+ not to $rite
to m' rother .ames as soon as I am dead"#
This +etter seems to )ro%e that it $as not then
e+ie%ed that St" Peter had suered mart'rdom( since
it is )roa+e that this +etter( attriuted to St" C+em7
ent( $ou+d ha%e mentioned the circumstance" It a+so
)ro%es that C+etus and Anac+etus $ere not rec=oned
amon* the isho)s of Rome"
88IV"
St" C+ements &omi+ies( to the numer of nineteen"
&e sa's in his rst homi+' $hat he had a+read' said
in his confessions that he $ent to St" Peter and St"
!arnaas at Caesarea( to =no$ $hether the sou+ $as
immorta+( and the $or+d eterna+"
In the second homi+'( No" >>>%iii"( $e nd a much
more e>traordinar' )assa*e" St" Peter himse+f(
s)ea=in* of the O+d Testament( e>)resses himse+f
thus - #The $ritten +a$ contains certain fa+se thin*s
a*ainst the +a$ of od( the Creator of hea%en and
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?9G Phi+oso)hica+
earth H the de%i+ has done this( for *ood reasons H it
has a+so come to )ass throu*h the Mud*ments of
od( in order to disco%er such as $ou+d +isten $ith
)+easure to $hat is $ritten a*ainst &im(# etc"
In the si>th homi+' St" C+ement meets $ith A)7
)ian( the same $ho had $ritten a*ainst the .e$s in
the time of Tierius" &e te++s A))ian that he is in
+o%e $ith an E*')tian $oman and e*s that he $i++
$rite a +etter in his name to his )retended mistress
to con%ince her( ' the e>am)+e of a++ the *ods( that
+o%e is a dut'" A))ian $rites a +etter and St" C+em7
ent ans$ers it in the name of his )retended mistress(
after $hich the' dis)ute on the nature of the *ods"
>>%"
T$o E)ist+es of St" C+ement to the Corinthians"
It hard+' seems Must to ha%e ran=ed these e)ist+es
amon* the a)ocr')ha+ $ritin*s" Some of the +earned
ma' ha%e dec+ined to reco*ni1e them ecause the'
s)ea= of #the )hoeni> of Araia( $hich +i%es %e
hundred 'ears( and urns itse+f in E*')t in the cit'
of &e+io)o+is"# !ut there is nothin* e>traordinar'
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in St" C+ements ha%in* e+ie%ed this fa+e $hich so
man' others e+ie%ed( nor in his ha%in* $ritten
+etters to the Corinthians"
It is =no$n that there $as at that time a *reat
dis)ute et$een the church of Corinth and that of
Rome" The church of Corinth( $hich dec+ared itse+f
to ha%e een founded rst( $as *o%erned in common H
there $as scarce+' an' distinction et$een the )riests
Dictionar'" ?9
and the secu+ars( sti++ +ess et$een the )riests and the
isho) H a++ a+i=e had a de+ierati%e %oice( so( at +east(
se%era+ of the +earned assert" St" C+ement sa's to the
Corinthians in his rst e)ist+e - #4ou ha%e +aid the
rst foundations of seditionH e suMect to 'our
)riests( correct 'ourse+%es ' )enance( end the =nees
of 'our hearts( +earn to oe'"# It is not at a++ aston7
ishin* that a isho) of Rome shou+d use these e>7
)ressions"
In the second e)ist+e $e a*ain nd that ans$er of
.esus Christ( on ein* as=ed $hen &is =in*dom of
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hea%en shou+d come- #When t$o sha++ ma=e one(
$hen that $hich is $ithout sha++ e $ithin( $hen
the ma+e sha++ e fema+e( $hen there sha++ e neither
ma+e nor fema+e"#
88VI"
Letter from St" I*natius the mart'r to the Vir*in
0ar'( and the Vir*ins ans$er to St" I*natius -
#To 0ar' the 0other of Christ( from her de7
%oted I*natius - 4ou shou+d conso+e me( a neo)h'te(
and a disci)+e of 'our .ohn" I ha%e heard se%era+
$onderfu+ thin*s of 'our .esus( at $hich I ha%e
een much astonished" I desire $ith a++ m' heart to
e informed of them ' 'ou( $ho a+$a's +i%ed in
fami+iarit' $ith &im and =ne$ a++ &is secrets" Fare
'ou $e++" Comfort the neo)h'tes( $ho are $ith me
from 'ou and throu*h 'ou" Amen"#
#The &o+' Vir*ins Ans$er to &er Dear Dis7
ci)+e I*natius-
#The &um+e Ser%ant of .esus Christ - A++ the
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?9B Phi+oso)hica+
thin*s $hich 'ou ha%e +earned from .ohn are true H
e+ie%e in them H )erse%ere in 'our e+ief H =ee) 'our
%o$ of Christianit'" I $i++ come and see 'ou $ith
.ohn( 'ou and those $ho are $ith 'ou" !e rm in
the faith H act +i=e a man H +et not se%erit' and )er7
secution distur 'ou( ut +et 'our s)irit e stren*th7
ened and e>a+ted in od 'our Sa%iour" Amen"#
It is asserted that these +etters $ere $ritten in
the 'ear ::B of the Christian era( ut the' are not
therefore the +ess fa+se and asurd" The' $ou+d
e%en ha%e een an insu+t to our ho+' re+i*ion had
the' not een $ritten in a s)irit of sim)+icit'( $hich
renders e%er'thin* )ardona+e"
88VII"
Fra*ments of the A)ost+es" We nd in them this
)assa*e- #Pau+( a man of short stature( $ith an
aJui+ine nose and an an*e+ic face( instructed in
hea%en( said to P+anti++a( of Rome( efore he died-
Adieu( P+anti++a( thou +itt+e )+ant of eterna+ sa+%a7
tion H =no$ th' o$n noi+it' H thou art $hiter than
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sno$H thou art re*istered amon* the so+diers of
ChristH thou art an heiress to the =in*dom of
hea%en" # This $as not $orth' to e refuted"
88VIII"
There are e+e%en A)oca+')ses( $hich are attri7
uted to the )atriarchs and )ro)hets( to St" Peter(
Cerinthus( St" Thomas( St" Ste)hen the rst mart'r(
t$o to St" .ohn( dierin* from the canonica+ one(
Dictionar'" ?9@
and three to St" Pau+" A++ these A)oca+')ses ha%e
een ec+i)sed ' that of St" .ohn"
88I8"
The Visions( Prece)ts( and Simi+itudes of &er7
mas" &ermas seems to ha%e +i%ed aout the c+ose of
the rst centur'" The' $ho re*ard his oo= as
a)ocr')ha+ are ne%erthe+ess o+i*ed to do Mustice to
his mora+it'" &e e*ins ' sa'in* that his foster7
father had so+d a 'oun* $oman at Rome" &ermas
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reco*ni1ed this 'oun* $oman after the +a)se of se%7
era+ 'ears( and +o%ed her( he sa's( as if she had een
his sister" &e one da' sa$ her athin* in the Tier H
he stretched forth his hand( dre$ her out of the ri%er
and said in his heart( #&o$ ha))' shou+d I e if I
had a $ife +i=e her in eaut' rid in manners"# Im7
mediate+' the hea%ens o)ened( and he a++ at once
ehe+d this same $ife( $ho made him a courtes'
from ao%e( and said( #ood mornin*( &ermas"#
This $ife $as the Christian ChurchH she *a%e him
much *ood ad%ice"
A 'ear after( the s)irit trans)orted him to the
same )+ace $here he had seen this eaut'( $ho ne%7
erthe+ess $as o+d H ut she $as fresh in her a*e( and
$as o+d on+' ecause she had een created from the
e*innin* of the $or+d( and the $or+d had een made
for her"
The !oo= of Prece)ts contains fe$er a++e*ories(
ut that of Simi+itudes contains man'" #One da'(#
sa's &ermas( #$hen I $as fastin* and $as seated
?99 Phi+oso)hica+
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on a hi++( *i%in* than=s to od for a++ that he had
done for me( a she)herd came( sat do$n eside me(
and said( Wh' ha%e 'ou come here so ear+' !e7
cause I am *oin* throu*h the stations ans$ered
I" What is a station as=ed the she)herd" It is a
fast" And $hat is this fast It is m' custom"
Ah re)+ied the she)herd( 'ou =no$ not $hat it is
to fastH a++ this is of no a%ai+ efore od" I $i++
teach 'ou that $hich is true fastin* and )+easin* to
the Di%init'" 4our fastin* has nothin* to do $ith
Mustice and %irtue" Ser%e od $ith a )ure heartH
=ee) &is commandments H admit into 'our heart no
*ui+t' desi*ns" If 'ou ha%e a+$a's the fear of od
efore 'our e'es if 'ou astain from a++ e%i+( that
$i++ e true fastin*( that $i++ e the *reat fast $hich
is acce)ta+e to od" #
This )hi+oso)hica+ and su+ime )iet' is one of the
most sin*u+ar monuments of the rst centur'" !ut
it is some$hat stran*e that( at the end of the Simi+i7
tudes( the she)herd *i%es him %er' *ood7natured
maidens %a+de aai+es to ta=e care of his house
and dec+ares to him that he cannot fu++ ods com7
mandments $ithout these maidens( $ho( it is )+ain(
t')if' the %irtues"
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This +ist $ou+d ecome immense if $e $ere to
enter into e%er' detai+" We $i++ carr' it no further(
ut conc+ude $ith the Si'+s"
888"
The Si'+s" What is most a)ocr')ha+ in the
)rimiti%e church is the )rodi*ious numer of %erses
Dictionar'" ?9;
in fa%or of the Christian re+i*ion attriuted to the
ancient si'+s" Diodorus Sicu+us =ne$ of on+' one(
$ho $as ta=en at Thees ' the E)i*oni( and )+aced
at De+)hos efore the TroMan $ar" Ten si'+s that
is( ten )ro)hetesses( $ere soon made from this one"
She of Cuma had most credit amon* the Romans(
and the si'+ Er'threa amon* the ree=s"
As a++ orac+es $ere de+i%ered in %erse( none of the
si'+s cou+d fai+ to ma=e %ersesH and to *i%e them
*reater authorit' the' sometimes made them in
acrostics a+so" Se%era+ Christians $ho had not a
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1ea+ accordin* to =no$+ed*e not on+' misinter)reted
the ancient %erses su))osed to ha%e een $ritten '
the si'+s( ut a+so made some themse+%es( and $hich
ds $orse( in acrostics( not dreamin* that this dicu+t
artice of acrostici1in* had no resem+ance $hate%er
to the ins)iration and enthusiasm of a )ro)hetess"
The' reso+%ed to su))ort the est of causes ' the
most a$=$ard fraud" The' accordin*+' made ad
ree= %erses( the initia+s of $hich si*nied in ree=
.esus( Christ( Son( Sa%iour( and these %erses said
that $ith %e +oa%es and t$o shes &e shou+d feed
%e thousand men in the desert and that $ith the
fra*ments that remained &e shou+d ++ t$e+%e as7
=ets"
The mi++ennium and the Ne$ .erusa+em( $hich
.ustin had seen in the air for fort' ni*hts( $ere( of
course( foreto+d ' the si'+s" In the fourth centur'
Lactantius co++ected a+most a++ the %erses attriuted
to the si'+s and considered them as con%incin*
Vo+" :9
?;< Phi+oso)hica+
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)roofs" The o)inion $as so $e++ authori1ed and so
+on* he+d that $e sti++ sin* h'mns in $hich the testi7
mon' of the si'+s is Moined $ith the )redictions of
Da%id -
So+%et sUc+um infa%i++a(
Teste Da%id cum Si'++a"
This cata+o*ue of errors and frauds has een car7
ried Juite far enou*h" A hundred mi*ht e re)eated(
so constant+' has the $or+d een com)osed of de7
cei%ers and of )eo)+e fond of ein* decei%ed"
!ut +et us )ursue no further so dan*erous a re7
search" The e+ucidation of one *reat truth is $orth
more than the disco%er' of a thousand fa+sehoods"
Not a++ these errors( not a++ the cro$d of a)ocr')ha+
oo=s ha%e een sucient to inMure the Christian re7
+i*ion( ecause( as $e a++ =no$( it is founded u)on
immuta+e truths" These truths are su))orted ' a
church mi+itant and trium)hant( to $hich od has
*i%en the )o$er of teachin* and of re)ressin*" In
se%era+ countries it unites tem)ora+ $ith s)iritua+ au7
thorit'" Prudence( stren*th( $ea+th are its attri7
utes( and a+thou*h it is di%ided( and its di%isions
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ha%e sometimes stained it $ith +ood( it ma' te com7
)ared to the Roman common$ea+th constant+' torn
' interna+ dissensions( ut constant+' trium)hant"
APOSTATE"
IT is sti++ a Juestion amon* the +earned $hether
the Em)eror .u+ian $as rea++' an a)ostate and
$hether he $as e%er tru+' a Christian" &e $as
Dictionar'" ?;:
not si> 'ears o+d $hen the Em)eror Constantius(
sti++ more ararous than Constantine( had his
father( his rother( and se%en of his cousins mur7
dered" &e and his rother Ca++us $ith dicu+t'
esca)ed from this carna*e( ut he $as a+$a's %er'
harsh+' treated ' Constantius" &is +ife $as for a
+on* time threatened( and he soon ehe+d his on+'
remainin* rother assassinated ' the t'rants order"
The most ararous of the Tur=ish su+tans ha%e
ne%er( I am sorr' to sa' it( sur)assed in crue+t' or
in %i++ain' the Constantine fami+'" From his tender7
est 'ears stud' $as .u+ians on+' conso+ation" &e
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communicated in secret $ith the most i++ustrious of
the )hi+oso)hers( $ho $ere of the ancient re+i*ion of
Rome" It is %er' )roa+e that he )rofessed that of
his unc+e Constantius on+' to a%oid assassination"
.u+ian $as o+i*ed to concea+ his menta+ )o$ers( as
!rutus had done under TarJuin" &e $as +ess +i=e+'
to e a Christian( as his unc+e had forced him to e a
mon= and to )erform the oce of reader in the
church" A man is rare+' of the re+i*ion of his )erse7
cutor( es)ecia++' $hen the +atter $ishes to e ru+er
of his conscience"
Another circumstance $hich renders this )roa+e
is that he does not sa' in an' of his $or=s that he
had een a Christian" &e ne%er as=s )ardon for it of
the )ontis of the ancient re+i*ion" &e addresses
them in his +etters as if he had a+$a's een attached
to the $orshi) of the senate" It is not e%en )ro%ed
that he )ractise the ceremonies of the Tauroo+ium(
?;? Phi+oso)hica+
$hich mi*ht e re*arded as a sort of e>)iation( and
that he desired to $ash out $ith u++s +ood that
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$hich he so unfortunate+' ca++ed the stain of his a)7
tism" &o$e%er( this $as a )a*an form of de%otion(
$hich is no more a )roof than the assem+in* at the
m'steries of Ceres" In short( neither his friends nor
his enemies re+ate an' fact( an' $ords $hich can
)ro%e that he e%er e+ie%ed in Christianit'( and that
he )assed from that sincere e+ief to the $orshi)
of the *ods of the em)ire" If such e the case the'
$ho do not s)ea= of him as an a)ostate a))ear %er'
e>cusa+e"
Sound criticism ein* rou*ht to )erfection( a++
the $or+d no$ ac=no$+ed*es that the Em)eror .u7
+ian $as a hero and a $ise man a stoic( eJua+ to
0arcus Aure+ius" &is errors are condemned( ut
his %irtues are admitted" &e is no$ re*arded( as he
$as ' his contem)orar'( Prudentius( author of the
h'mn #Sa+%ete &ares mart'rum"# &e sa's of .u+ian -
Ductor fortissimus armis(
Conditor et +e*um ce+eerrimus H ore manuJue
Consu+tor)atricEH sednon consu+ tor haendus
Re+i*ionis amans tercentum mi++ia di%um
Perdus i++e Deo( sednon est )erdus ori"
Thou*h *reat in arms( in %irtues( and in +a$s(
Thou*h a+' 1ea+ous in his countr's cause(
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&e s)urned re+i*ion in his +oft' )+an(
ReMectin* od $hi+e enetin* man"
&is detractors are reduced to the misera+e e>)e7
dient of stri%in* to ma=e him a))ear ridicu+ous" One
historian( on the authorit' of St" re*or' Na1ian1en(
re)roaches him $ith ha%in* $orn too +ar*e a eard"
!ut( m' friend( if nature *a%e him a +on* eard $h'
Dictionar'" ?;3
shou+d he $ear it short &e used to sha=e his head"
Carr' th' o$n etter" &is ste) $as hurried" !ear
in mind that the Ae dAui*nac( the =in*s
)reacher( ha%in* een hissed at the )+a'( +au*hs at
the air and *ait of the *reat Cornei++e" Cou+d 'ou
ho)e to turn 0arsha+ de Lu>emour* into ridicu+e
ecause he $a+=ed i++ and his *ure $as sin*u+ar
&e cou+d march %er' $e++ a*ainst the enem'" Let us
+ea%e it to the e>7.esuit Patoui++et( the e>7.esuit
Nonotte( etc"( to ca++ the Em)eror .u+ian the A)os7
tate" Poor creatures &is Christian successor( .o7
%ian( ca++ed him Di%us .u+ianus"
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Let us treat this mista=en em)eror as he himse+f
treated us" &e saidM #We shou+d )it' and not hate
themH the' are a+read' sucient+' unfortunate in
errin* on the most im)ortant of Juestions"# Let us
ha%e the same com)assion for him( since $e are sure
that the truth is on our side" &e rendered strict
Mustice to his suMects( +et us then render it to his
memor'" Some A+e>andrians $ere incensed a*ainst
a isho)( $ho( it is true( $as a $ic=ed man( chosen
' a $orth+ess caa+" &is name $as eor*e !ior7
dos( and he $as the son of a mason" &is manners
$ere +o$er than his irth" &e united the asest
)erd' $ith the most ruta+ ferocit'( and su)ersti7
tion $ith e%er' %ice" A ca+umniator( a )ersecutor(
and an im)ostor a%aricious( san*uinar'( and sedi7
tious( he $as detested ' e%er' )art' and at +ast the
)eo)+e cud*e++ed him to death" The fo++o$in* is
the +etter $hich the Em)eror .u+ian $rote to the
?;G Phi+oso)hica+
A+e>andrians on the suMect of this )o)u+ar commo7
tion" 0ar= ho$ he addresses them( +i=e a father and
a Mud*e -
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#What # said he( #instead of reser%in* for me the
=no$+ed*e of 'our $ron*s 'ou ha%e suered 'our7
se+%es to e trans)orted $ith an*er 4ou ha%e een
*ui+t' of the same e>cesses $ith $hich 'ou re)roach
'our enemies eor*e deser%ed to e so treated( ut
it $as not for 'ou to e his e>ecutioners" 4ou ha%e
+a$s H 'ou shou+d ha%e demanded Mustice(# etc"
Some ha%e dared to rand .u+ian $ith the e)ithets
into+erant and )ersecutin* the man $ho sou*ht to
e>tir)ate )ersecution and into+erance Peruse his
ft'7second +etter( and res)ect his memor'" Is he
not sucient+' unfortunate in not ha%in* een a
Catho+ic( and conseJuent+' in ein* urned in he++(
to*ether $ith the innumera+e mu+titude of those
$ho ha%e not een Catho+ics( $ithout our insu+tin*
him so far as to accuse him of into+erance
On the +oes of Fire said to ha%e issued from the
Earth to )re%ent the reui+din* of the Tem)+e of
.erusa+em under the Em)eror .u+ian"
It is %er' +i=e+' that $hen .u+ian reso+%ed to carr'
the $ar into Persia he $anted mone'" It is a+so %er'
+i=e+' that the .e$s *a%e him some for )ermission to
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reui+d their tem)+e( $hich Titus had )art+' de7
stro'ed( ut of $hich there sti++ remained the foun7
dations( an entire $a++( and the Antonine to$er" !ut
Dictionar'" ?;
is it as +i=e+' that *+oes of re urst u)on the $or=s
and the $or=men and caused the underta=in* to e
re+inJuished Is there not a )a+)a+e contradiction
in $hat the historians re+ate
:" &o$ cou+d it e that the .e$s e*an ' de7
stro'in* as the' are said to ha%e doneQ the founda7
tions of the tem)+e $hich it $as their $ish and their
dut' to reui+d on the same s)ot The tem)+e $as
necessari+' to e on 0ount 0oriah" There it $as
that So+omon had ui+t it" There it $as that &erod
had reui+t it $ith *reater so+idit' and ma*nicence(
ha%in* )re%ious+' erected a ne theatre at .erusa+em(
and a tem)+e to Au*ustus at Caesarea" The founda7
tions of this tem)+e( en+ar*ed ' &erod( $ere( ac7
cordin* to .ose)hus( as much as t$ent'7%e feet
road" Cou+d the .e$s( in .u+ians time( )ossi+' e
mad enou*h to $ish to disarran*e these stones $hich
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$ere so $e++ )re)ared to recei%e the rest of the edi7
ce( and u)on $hich the 0ahometans after$ards
ui+t their mosJue What man $as e%er foo+ish and
stu)id enou*h thus to de)ri%e himse+f at *reat cost
and e>cessi%e +aor of the *reatest ad%anta*e that
cou+d )resent itse+f to his hands and e'es Nothin*
is more incredi+e"
?" &o$ cou+d eru)tions of ame urst forth
from the interior of these stones There mi*ht e
an earthJua=e in the nei*horhood( for the' are fre7
Juent in S'ria( ut that *reat +oc=s of stone shou+d
ha%e %omited c+ouds of re Is not this stor' en7
tit+ed to Must as much credit as a++ those of antiJuit'
i*B Phi+oso)hica+
3" If this )rodi*'( or if an earthJua=e( $hich is
not a )rodi*'( had rea++' ha))ened $ou+d not the
Em)eror .u+ian ha%e s)o=en of it in the +etter in
$hich he sa's that he had intended to reui+d this
tem)+e Wou+d not his testimon' ha%e een tri7
um)hant+' adduced Is it not innite+' more )roa7
+e that he chan*ed his mind Does not this +ettei
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contain these $ords-
#6uid de tem)+o suo dicent( Juod( Juum tertio
sit e%ersum( nondum hodiernam usJue diem instau7
ratur &a1e e*o( non ut i++is e>)roarem( in me7
dium addu>i( ut)ote Jui tem)+um i++ud tanto inter7
%a++o a ruinis e>citare %o+uerimH sed idea com7
$iemora%i( ut ostenderem de+irasse )ro)hetas istos(
Juius cum sto+idis anicu+is ne*otium erat"#
#What $i++ the' the .e$sQ sa' of their tem)+e
$hich has een destro'ed for the third time and is
not 'et restored I s)ea= of this( not for the )ur7
)ose of re)roachin* them( for I m'se+f had intended
to raise it once more from its ruins( ut to sho$ the
e>tra%a*ance of their )ro)hets $ho had none ut o+d
$omen to dea+ $ith"#
Is it not e%ident that the em)eror ha%in* )aid at7
tention to the .e$ish )ro)hecies( that the tem)+e
shou+d e reui+t more eautifu+ than e%er and that
a++ the nations of the earth shou+d come and $orshi)
in it( thou*ht t to re%o=e the )ermission to raise
the edice The historica+ )roai+it'( then( from
the em)erors o$n $ords( is( that unfortunate+'
ho+din* the .e$ish oo=s( as $e++ as our o$n( in
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Dictionar'" ?;@
ahorrence( he at +en*th reso+%ed to ma=e the .e$ish
)ro)hets +ie"
The Ae de +a !+etrie( the historian of the Em7
)eror .u+ian( does not understand ho$ the tem)+e of
.erusa+em $as destro'ed three times" &e sa's that
a))arent+' .u+ian rec=oned as a third destruction
the catastro)he $hich ha))ened durin* his rei*n" A
curious destruction this the non7remo%a+ of the
stones of an o+d foundation" What cou+d )re%ent
this $riter from seein* that the tem)+e( ha%in* een
ui+t ' So+omon( reconstructed ' 5oroae+( en7
tire+' destro'ed ' &erod( reui+t ' &erod himse+f
$ith so much ma*nicence( and at +ast +aid in ruins
' Titus( manifest+' made three destructions of the
tem)+e The rec=onin* is correct" .u+ian shou+d
sure+' ha%e esca)ed ca+umn' on this )oint"
The Ae de +a !+etrie ca+umniates him su7
cient+' ' sa'in* that a++ his %irtues $ere on+' seem7
in*( $hi+e a++ his %ices $ere rea+" !ut .u+ian $as
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not h')ocritica+( nor a%aricious( nor fraudu+ent( nor
+'in*( nor un*ratefu+( nor co$ard+'( nor drun=en(
nor deauched( nor id+e( nor %indicti%e" What then
$ere his %ices
G" Let us no$ e>amine the redouta+e ar*u7
ment made use of to )ersuade us that *+oes of re
issued from stones" Ammianus 0arceTIinus a )a*an
$riter( free from a++ sus)icion( has said it" !e it so -
ut this Ammianus has a+so said that $hen the em7
)eror $as aout to sacrice ten o>en to his *ods for
his rst %ictor' o%er the Persians( nine of them fe++
?;9 Phi+oso)hica+
to the earth efore the' $ere )resented to the a+tar"
&e re+ates a hundred )redictions a hundred )rodi7
*ies" Are $e to e+ie%e in them Are $e to e+ie%e
in a++ the ridicu+ous mirac+es re+ated ' Li%'
!esides( $ho can sa' that the te>t of Ammianus
0arce++inus has not een fa+sied Wou+d it e the
on+' instance in $hich this artice has een em7
)+o'ed
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I $onder that no mention is made of the +itt+e
er' crosses $hich a++ the $or=men found on their
odies $hen the' $ent to ed" The' $ou+d ha%e
made an admira+e *ure a+on* $ith the *+oes"
The fact is that the tem)+e of the .e$s $as not
reui+t( and it ma' e )resumed ne%er $i++ e so"
&ere +et us ho+d( and not see= use+ess )rodi*ies"
+oi ammarum *+oes of re( issue neither from
stones nor from earth" Ammianus( and those $ho
ha%e Juoted him( $ere not natura+ )hi+oso)hers" Let
the Ae de +a !+etrie on+' +oo= at the re on St"
.ohns da'( and he $i++ see that ame a+$a's ascends
$ith a )oint( or in a c+oud( and ne%er in a *+oe"
This a+one is sucient to o%erturn the nonsense
$hich he comes for$ard to defend $ith inMudicious
criticism and re%o+tin* )ride"
After a++( the thin* is of %er' +itt+e im)ortance"
There is nothin* in it that aects either faith or
mora+s H and historica+ truth is a++ that is here sou*ht
for"
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Dictionar'" ?;;
APOSTLES"
Their Li%es( their Wi%es( their Chi+dren"
AFTER the artic+e #A)ost+e# in the Enc'c+o)aedia(
$hich is as +earned as it is orthodo>( %er' +itt+e re7
mains to e said" !ut $e often hear it as=ed Were
the a)ost+es married &ad the' an' chi+dren if
the' had( $hat ecame of those chi+dren Where
did the a)ost+es +i%e Where did the' $rite Where
did the' die &ad the' an' a))ro)riated districts
Did the' e>ercise an' ci%i+ ministr' &ad the' an'
Murisdiction o%er the faithfu+ Were the' isho)s
&ad the' a hierarch'( rites( or ceremonies
i"
Were the A)ost+es 0arried
There is e>tant a +etter attriuted to St" I*natius
the 0art'r( in $hich are these decisi%e $ords - #I
ca++ to mind 'our sanctit' as I do that of E+ias( .ere7
miah( .ohn the !a)tist( and the chosen disci)+es Tim7
oth'( Titus( E%adius( and C+ementH 'et I do not
+ame such other of the +essed as $ere ound in
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the onds of marria*e( ut ho)e to e found $orth'
of od in fo++o$in* their footste)s in his =in*dom(
after the e>am)+e of Araham( Isaac( .aco( .ose)h(
Isaiah( and the other )ro)hets of Peter and Pau+(
and the a)ost+es $ho $ere married"#
Some of the +earned assert that the name of St"
Pau+ has een inter)o+ated in this famous +etter-
ho$e%er( Turrian and a++ $ho ha%e seen the +etters
3<< Phi+oso)hica+
of I*natius in the +irar' of the Vatican ac=no$+7
ed*e that St" Pau+s name a))ears there" And !a7
ronius does not den' that this )assa*e is to e found
in some ree= manuscri)ts - Non ne*amus in Jui7
usdam *reeds codicius" !ut he asserts that these
$ords ha%e een added ' modern ree=s"
In the o+d O>ford +irar' there $as a manuscri)t
of St" I*natiuss +etters in ree=( $hich contained the
ao%e $ordsH ut it $as( I e+ie%e( urned $ith
man' other oo=s at the ta=in* of O>ford ' Crom7
$e++" There is sti++ one in Latin in the same +irar'(
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in $hich the $ords Pau+i et a)osto+orum ha%e een
eaced( ut in such a manner that the o+d characters
ma' e easi+' distin*uished"
It is ho$e%er certain that this )assa*e e>ists in
se%era+ editions of these +etters" This dis)ute aout
St" Pau+s marria*e is( after a++( a %er' fri%o+ous one"
What matters it $hether he $as married or not( if
the other a)ost+es $ere married &is rst E)ist+e
to the Corinthians is Juite sucient to )ro%e that
he mi*ht e married( as $e++ as the rest -
#&a%e $e not )o$er to eat and to drin= &a%e
$e not )o$er to +ead aout a sister( a $ife( as $e++
as other a)ost+es( and as the rethren of the Lord(
and Ce)has Or I on+' and !arnaas( ha%e not $e
)o$er to forear $or=in* Who *oeth a $arfare
an' time at his o$n char*es #
It is c+ear from this )assa*e that a++ the a)ost+es
$ere married( as $e++ as St" Peter" And St" C+ement
of A+e>andria )ositi%e+' dec+ares that St" Pau+ had a
Dictionar'" 3<:
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$ife" The Roman disci)+ine has chan*ed( $hich is
no )roof that the usa*e of the )rimiti%e a*es $as
not dierent"
n"
Chi+dren of the A)ost+es"
Ver' +itt+e is =no$n of their fami+ies" St" C+ement
of A+e>andria sa's that Peter had chi+dren( that
Phi+i) had dau*hters( and that he *a%e them in mar7
ria*e" The Acts of the A)ost+es s)ecif' St" Phi+i)(
$hose four dau*hters )ro)hesied( of $hom it is e7
+ie%ed that one $as married( and that this one $as
St" &ermione"
Euseius re+ates that Nicho+as( chosen ' the
a)ost+es to co7o)erate in the sacred ministr' $ith
St" Ste)hen( had a %er' handsome $ife( of $hom he
$as Mea+ous" The a)ost+es ha%in* re)roached him
$ith his Mea+ous'( he corrected himse+f of it( rou*ht
his $ife to them and said( #I am read' to 'ie+d her
u)H +et him marr' her $ho $i++"# The a)ost+es(
ho$e%er( did not acce)t his )ro)osa+" &e had ' his
$ife a son and se%era+ dau*hters"
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C+eo)has( accordin* to Euseius and St" E)i)ha7
nius( $as rother to St" .ose)h( and father of St"
.ames the Less( and of St" .ude( $hom he had '
0ar'( sister to the !+essed Vir*in" So that St" .ude
the a)ost+e $as rst cousin to .esus Christ"
&e*esi))us( Juoted ' Euseius( te++s us that t$o
*randsons of St" .ude $ere informed a*ainst to the
Em)eror Domitian as ein* descendants of Da%id
3<? Phi+oso)hica+
and ha%in* an incontesta+e ri*ht to the throne of
.erusa+em" Domitian( fearin* that the' mi*ht a%ai+
themse+%es of this ri*ht( )ut Juestions to them him7
se+f( and the' acJuainted him $ith their *enea+o*'"
The em)eror as=ed them $hat fortune the' had"
The' ans$ered that the' had thirt'7nine acres of
+and( $hich )aid triute( and that the' $or=ed for
their +i%e+ihood" &e then as=ed them $hen .esus
Christs =in*dom $as to come( and the' to+d him
#At the end of the $or+d"# After $hich Domitian
)ermitted them to de)art in )eace H $hich *oes far to
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)ro%e that he $as not a )ersecutor" This( if I mis7
ta=e not( is a++ that is =no$n aout the chi+dren of
the a)ost+es"
in"
Where did the A)ost+es Li%e Where did The' Die
Accordin* to Euseius( .ames( surnamed the .ust(
rother to .esus Christ( $as in the e*innin* )+aced
rst on the e)isco)a+ throne of the cit' of .erusa+em H
these are his o$n $ords" So that( accordin* to
him( the rst isho)ric $as that of .erusa+em su)7
)osin* that the .e$s =ne$ e%en the name of isho)"
It does( indeed( a))ear %er' +i=e+' that the rother
of .esus Christ shou+d ha%e een the rst after him(
and that the %er' cit' in $hich the mirac+e of our
sa+%ation $as $or=ed shou+d ha%e ecome the
metro)o+is of the Christian $or+d" As for the e)is7
co)a+ throne( that is a term $hich Euseius uses '
antici)ation" We a++ =no$ that there $as then neither
throne nor see(
Dictionar'" 3<3
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Euseius adds( after St" C+ement( that the other
a)ost+es did not contend $ith St" .ames for this di*7
nit'" The' e+ected him immediate+' after the Ascen7
sion" #Our Lord(# sa's he( #after &is resurrection(
had *i%en to .ames( surnamed the .ust( to .ohn and
to Peter the *ift of =no$+ed*e# %er' remar=a+e
$ords" Euseius mentions .ames rst( then .ohn(
and Peter comes +ast" It seems ut Must that the
rother and the e+o%ed disci)+e of .esus shou+d
come efore the man $ho had denied &im" Near+'
the $ho+e ree= Church and a++ the reformers as=(
Where is Peters )rimac' The Catho+ics ans$er
If he is not )+aced rst ' the fathers of the church(
he is in the Acts of the A)ost+es" The ree=s and the
rest re)+' that he $as not the rst isho) H and the
dis)ute $i++ endure as +on* as the churches"
St" .ames( this rst isho) of .erusa+em( a+$a's
continued to oser%e the 0osaic +a$" &e $as a
RechaiteH he $a+=ed arefoot( and ne%er sha%edH
$ent and )rostrated himse+f in the .e$ish tem)+e
t$ice a da'( and $as surnamed ' the .e$s O+ia(
si*nif'in* the Must" The' at +en*th a))+ied to him
to =no$ $ho .esus Christ $as( and ha%in* ans$ered
that .esus $as the son of man( $ho sat on the ri*ht
hand of od( and that &e shou+d come in the c+ouds(
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he $as eaten to death" This $as St" .ames the
Less"
St" .ames the reater $as his unc+e( rother to
St" .ohn the E%an*e+ist( and son of 5eedee and
Sa+ome" It is asserted that A*ri))a( =in* of the
3<G Phi+oso)hica+
.e$s( had him eheaded at .erusa+em" St" .ohn re7
mained in Asia and *o%erned the church of E)hesus(
$here( it is said( he $as uried" St" Andre$( rother
to St" Peter( Juitted the schoo+ of St" .ohn for that
of .esus Christ" It is not a*reed $hether he
)reached amon* the Tartars or in Ar*osH ut( to
*et rid of the dicu+t'( $e are to+d that it $as in
E)irus" No one =no$s $here he suered mart'r7
dom( nor e%en $hether he suered it at a++" The
Acts of his mart'rdom are more than sus)ected '
the +earned" Painters ha%e a+$a's re)resented him
on a sa+tier7cross( to $hich his name has een *i%en"
This custom has )re%ai+ed $ithout its ori*in ein*
=no$n"
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St" Peter )reached to the .e$s dis)ersed in Pon7
tus( !ith'nia( Ca))adocia( at Antioch( and at !a'7
+on" The Acts of the A)ost+es do not s)ea= of his
Mourne' to Rome( nor does St" Pau+ himse+f ma=e
an' mention of it in the +etters $hich he $rote from
that ca)ita+" St" .ustin is the rst accredited author
$ho s)ea=s of this Mourne'( aout $hich the +earned
are not a*reed" St" Irenseus( after St" .ustin( e>7
)ress+' sa's that St" Peter and St" Pau+ came to
Rome( and that the' entrusted its *o%ernment to St"
Linus" !ut here is another dicu+t' - if the' made
St" Linus ins)ector of the risin* Christian societ' at
Rome( it must e inferred that the' themse+%es did
not su)erintend it nor remain in that cit'"
Criticism has cast u)on this matter a thousand
uncertainties" The o)inion that St" Peter came to
Dictionar'" 3<
Rome in Neros rei*n and ++ed the )ontica+ chair
there for t$ent'7%e 'ears( is untena+e( for Nero
rei*ned on+' thirteen 'ears" The $ooden chair( so
s)+endid+' in+aid in the church at Rome( can hard+'
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ha%e e+on*ed to St" Peter- $ood does not +ast so
+on*H nor is it +i=e+' that St" Peter de+i%ered his
+essons from this chair as in a schoo+ thorou*h+'
formed( since it is a%erred that the .e$s of Rome
$ere %io+ent enemies to the disci)+es of .esus Christ"
The *reatest dicu+t' )erha)s is that St" Pau+( in
his e)ist+e $ritten to the Co+ossians from Rome( )os7
iti%e+' sa's that he $as assisted on+' ' Aristarchus(
0arcus( and another earin* the name of .esus"
This oMection has( to men of the *reatest +earnin*(
a))eared to e insurmounta+e"
In his +etter to the a+atians he sa's that he
o+i*ed .ames( Ce)has( and .ohn( $ho seemed to e
)i++ars( to ac=no$+ed*e himse+f and !arnaas as
)i++ars a+so" If he )+aced .ames efore Ce)has( then
Ce)has $as not the chief" &a))i+'( these dis)utes
aect not the foundation of our ho+' re+i*ion"
Whether St" Peter e%er $a"s at Rome or not( .esus
Christ is no +ess the Son of od and the Vir*in
0ar'H &e did not the +ess rise a*ainH nor did &e
the +ess recommend humi+it' and )o%ert'H $hich
are ne*+ected( it is true( ut aout $hich there is no
dis)ute"
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Ca++istus Nice)horus( a $riter of the fourteenth
centur'( sa's that #Peter $as ta++( strai*ht and s+en7
der( his face +on* and )a+e( his eard and hair short(
Vo+" :;
3<B Phi+oso)hica+
cur+'( and ne*+ected his e'es +ac=( his nose +on*(
and rather at than )ointed"# So Ca+met trans+ates
the )assa*e"
St" !artho+ome$ is a $ord corru)ted from !ar"
Pto+omaios( son of Pto+em'" The Acts of the
A)ost+es inform us that he $as a a+i+ean" Euseius
asserts that he $ent to )reach in India( Araia Fe+i>(
Persia( and A'ssinia" &e is e+ie%ed to ha%e een
the same as Nathanae+" There is a *os)e+ at7
triuted to him H ut a++ that has een said of his +ife
and of his death is %er' uncertain" It has een as7
serted that Ast'a*es( rother to Po+emon( =in* of
Armenia( had him a'ed a+i%e H ut a++ *ood $riters
re*ard this stor' as fau+ous"
St" Phi+i)" Accordin* to the a)ocr')ha+ +e*ends
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he +i%ed ei*ht'7se%en 'ears( and died in )eace in the
rei*n of TraMan"
St" Thomas Did'mus" Ori*en( Juoted ' Euse7
ius( sa's that he $ent and )reached to the 0edes(
the Persians( the Caramanians( the !as=erians( and
the ma*i as if the ma*i had een a )eo)+e" It is
added that he a)ti1ed one of the ma*i( $ho had
come to !eth+ehem" The 0anichaeans assert that a
man $ho had stric=en Thomas $as de%oured ' a
+ion" Some Portu*uese $riters assure us that he
suered mart'rdom at 0e+ia)our( in the )eninsu+a
of India" The ree= Church e+ie%es that he
)reached in India( and that from thence his od' $as
carried to Edessa" Some mon=s are further induced
to e+ie%e that he $ent to India( ' the circumstance
Dictionar'" 3<@
that( aout the end of the fteenth centur'( there
$ere found( near the coast of Ormu1( some fami+ies
of Nestorians( $ho had een esta+ished there ' a
merchant of 0oussou+( named Thomas" The +e*end
sets forth that he ui+t a ma*nicent )a+ace for an
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Indian =in* named ondaser- ut a++ these stories
are reMected ' the +earned"
St" 0atthias" No )articu+ars are =no$n of him"
&is +ife $as not found unti+ the t$e+fth centur' '
a mon= of the ae' of St" 0atthias of Tre%es" &e
said he had it from a .e$( $ho trans+ated it for him
from &ere$ into Latin"
St" 0atthe$" Accordin* to Runus( Socrates(
and Adias( he )reached and died in Ethio)ia"
&erac+eon ma=es him +i%e a +on* time and die a
natura+ death" !ut Adias sa's that &'rtacus( =in*
of Ethio)ia( rother to E*+')us( $ishin* to marr'
his niece I)hi*enia( and ndin* that he cou+d not
otain St" 0atthe$s )ermission( had his head struc=
o and set re to I)hi*enias house" &e to $hom
$e o$e the most circumstantia+ *os)e+ that $e )os7
sess deser%ed a etter historian than Adias"
St" Simon the Canaanite( $hose feast is com7
mon+' Moined $ith that of St" .ude" Of his +ife
nothin* is =no$n" The modern ree=s sa' that he
$ent to )reach in Li'a( and thence into En*+and"
Others ma=e him suer mart'rdom in Persia"
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St" Thaddaeus or Leaeus" The same as St"
.ude( $hom the .e$s in St" 0atthe$ ca++ rother to
.esus Christ( and $ho( accordin* to Euseius( $as
3<9 Phi+oso)hica+
his rst cousin" A++ these re+ations( for the most )art
%a*ue and uncertain( thro$ no +i*ht on the +i%es of
the a)ost+es" !ut if there is +itt+e to *ratif' our curi7
osit'( there is much from $hich $e ma' deri%e in7
struction" T$o of the four *os)e+s( chosen from
amon* the ft'7four com)osed ' the rst Chris7
tians( $ere not $ritten ' a)ost+es"
St" Pau+ $as not one of the t$e+%e a)ost+es( 'et
he contriuted more than an' other to the esta+ish7
ment of Christianit'" &e $as the on+' man of +etters
amon* them" &e had studied under ama+ie+" Fes7
tus himse+f( the *o%ernor of .udaea( re)roaches him
$ith ein* too +earned H and( una+e to com)rehend
the su+imities of his doctrine( he sa's to him( #In7
sanis( Pau+e( mu+tce te +itterce ad insaniam con%ert7
unt"# #Pau+( thou art eside th'se+f H much +earnin*
doth ma=e thee mad"#
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In his rst e)ist+e to the Corinthians he ca++s him7
se+f sent" #Am I not an a)ost+e Am I not free
&a%e I not seen .esus Christ our Lord Are 'e not
m' $or= in the Lord If I am not an a)ost+e unto
others( 'et( dout+ess( I am unto 'ou(# etc"
&e mi*ht( indeed( ha%e seen .esus $hi+e he $as
stud'in* at .erusa+em under ama+ie+" 4et it ma'
e said that this $as not a reason $hich cou+d au7
thori1e his a)ost+eshi)" &e had not een one of the
disci)+es of .esusH on the contrar'( he had )erse7
cuted them( and had een an accom)+ice in the death
of St" Ste)hen" It is astonishin* that he does not
rather Mustif' his %o+untar' a)ost+eshi) ' the mira7
Dictionar'" 3<;
c+e $hich .esus Christ after$ards $or=ed in his
fa%or ' the +i*ht from hea%en $hich a))eared to
him at midda' and thre$ him from his horse( and
' his ein* carried u) to the third hea%en"
St" E)i)hanius Juotes Acts of the A)ost+es( e7
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+ie%ed to ha%e een com)osed ' those Christians
ca++ed Eionites( or )oor( and $hich $ere reMected '
the Church acts %er' ancient( it is true( ut fu++ of
ause of St" Pau+" In them it is said that St" Pau+
$as orn at Tarsus of ido+atrous )arents utroJue
)arente *enti+i )rocreatus that( ha%in* come to
.erusa+em( $here he remained some time( he $ished
to marr' the dau*hter of ama+ie+ H that( $ith this de7
si*n( he ecame a .e$ish )rose+'te and *ot himse+f
circumcisedH ut that( not otainin* this %ir*in or
not ndin* her a %ir*inQ( his %e>ation made him
$rite a*ainst circumcision( a*ainst the Saath( and
a*ainst the $ho+e +a$"
#6uumJue &ieroso+'mam accessisset( et iidem
a+iJuandiu mansisset( )onticis +iam ducere in ani7
mum indu>isse( et earn o rent )rose+'tum factum(
atJue circumcisum esseH )osted Juod %ir*inem earn
non acce)isset( succensuisse( et ad%ersus circum7
cisionem( ac saathum totamJue +e*em scri)sisse"#
These inMurious $ords sho$ that these )rimiti%e
Christians( under the name of the )oor( $ere sti++
attached to the Saath and to circumcision( restin*
this attachment on the circumcision of .esus Christ
and his oser%ance of the SaathH and that the'
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$ere enemies to St" Pau+( re*ardin* him as an in7
3:< Phi+oso)hica+
truder $ho sou*ht to o%erturn e%er'thin*" In short(
the' $ere heretics H conseJuent+' the' stro%e to de7
fame their enemies( an e>cess of $hich )art' s)irit
and su)erstition are too often *ui+t'" St" Pau+( too(
ca++s them #fa+se a)ost+es( deceitfu+ $or=ers(# and
+oads them $ith ause" In his +etter to the Phi+i)7
)ians he ca++s them do*s"
St" .erome asserts that he $as orn at iscea+a( a
to$n of a+i+ee( and not at Tarsus" Others dis)ute
his ha%in* een a Roman citi1en( ecause at that
time there $ere no Roman citi1ens at Tarsus( nor at
a+*a+a( and Tarsus $as not a Roman co+on' unti+
aout a hundred 'ears after" !ut $e must e+ie%e
the Acts of the A)ost+es( $hich $ere ins)ired '
the &o+' host( and therefore out$ei*h the testi7
mon' of St" .erome( +earned as he mi*ht e"
E%er' )articu+ar re+ati%e to St" Peter and St"
Pau+ is interestin*" If Nice)horus has *i%en us a
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)ortrait of the one( the Acts of St" Thec+a( $hich(
thou*h not canonica+( are of the rst centur'( ha%e
furnished us $ith a )ortrait of the other" &e $as(
sa' these acts( short in stature( his head $as a+d( his
thi*hs $ere croo=ed( his +e*s thic=( his nose aJui+ine(
his e'ero$s Moined( and he $as fu++ of the *race of
od" Statura re%i( etc"
These Acts of St" Pau+ and St" Thec+a $ere( ac7
cordin* to Tertu++ian( com)osed ' an Asiatic( one of
Pau+s o$n disci)+es( $ho at rst )ut them forth
under the a)ost+es name H for $hich he $as ca++ed
to account and dis)+aced that is( e>c+uded from the
Dictionar'" 3::
assem+'H for the hierarch'( not ein* then esta7
+ished( no one cou+d( )ro)er+' s)ea=in*( e dis)+aced"
IV"
/nder What Disci)+ine Did the A)ost+es and Primi7
ti%e Disci)+es Li%e
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It a))ears that the' $ere a++ eJua+" EJua+it' $as
the *reat )rinci)+e of the Essenians( the Rechaites(
the Thera)utae( the disci)+es of .ohn( and es)ecia++'
those of .esus Christ( $ho incu+cated it more than
once"
St" !arnaas( $ho $as not one of the t$e+%e a)os7
t+es( *a%e his %oice a+on* $ith theirs" St" Pau+( $ho
$as sti++ +ess a chosen a)ost+e durin* the +ife of .esus(
not on+' $as eJua+ to them( ut had a sort of as7
cendanc' H he rude+' reu=es St" Peter"
When the' are to*ether $e nd amon* them no
su)erior" There $as no )residin*( not e%en in turn"
The' did not at rst ca++ themse+%es isho)s" St"
Peter *i%es the name of isho)( or the eJui%a+ent e)i7
thet( on+' to .esus Christ( $hom he ca++s the in7
s)ector of sou+s" This name of ins)ector or isho)
$as after$ards *i%en to the ancients( $hom $e ca++
)riestsH ut $ith no ceremon'( no di*nit'( no dis7
tincti%e mar= of )re7eminence" It $as the oce of
the ancients or e+ders to distriute the a+ms" The
'oun*er of them $ere chosen ' a )+ura+it' of %oices
to ser%e the ta+es( and $ere se%en in numerH a++
$hich c+ear+' %eries the re)orts in common" Of
Murisdiction( of )o$er( of command( not the +east
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trace is to e found"
3:? Phi+oso)hica+
It is true that Ananias and Sa))hira $ere struc=
dead for not *i%in* a++ their mone' to St" Peter( ut
retainin* a sma++ )art for their o$n immediate $ants
$ithout confessin* it for corru)tin*( ' a triin*
fa+sehood( the sanctit' of their *ifts H ut it is not St"
Peter $ho condemns them" It is true that he di%ines
Ananias fau+t H he re)roaches him $ith it and te++s
him that he has +ied to the &o+' host H after $hich
Ananias fa++s do$n dead" Then comes Sa))hiraH
and Peter( instead of $arnin*( interro*ates her(
$hich seems to e the action of a Mud*e" &e ma=es
her fa++ into the snare ' sa'in*( #Te++ me $hether
'e so+d the +and for so much"# The $ife made the
same ans$er as her husand" It is astonishin* that
she did not( on reachin* the )+ace( +earn of her hus7
ands death that no one had informed her of it
that she did not oser%e the terror and tumu+t $hich
such a death must ha%e occasioned( and ao%e a++(
the morta+ fear +est the ocers of Mustice shou+d ta=e
co*ni1ance of it as of a murder" It is stran*e that
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thou*h cu+)a+e reticence"
!e this as it ma'( it is certain that the a)ost+es had
no Murisdiction( no )o$er( no authorit'( ut that of
)ersuasion( $hich is the rst of a++( and u)on $hich
e%er' other is founded" !esides( it a))ears from
this %er' stor' that the Christians +i%ed in common"
When t$o or three of them $ere *athered to*ether(
.esus Christ $as in the midst of them" The' cou+d
a++ a+i=e recei%e the S)irit" .esus $as their true(
their on+' su)erior H &e had said to them -
#!e not 'e ca++ed rai H for one is 'our master(
e%en ChristH and a++ 'e are rethren" And ca++ no
man 'our father u)on earth H for one is 'our father(
$hich is in hea%en" Neither e 'e ca++ed mastersH
for one is 'our master( e%en Christ"#
In the time of the a)ost+es there $as no ritua+(
no +itur*' H there $ere no >ed hours for assem+in*(
no ceremonies" The disci)+es a)ti1ed the catechu7
mens( and reathed the &o+' host into their
mouths( as .esus Christ had reathed on the a)ost+es H
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3:G Phi+oso)hica+
and as( in man' churches( it is sti++ the custom to
reathe into the mouth of a chi+d $hen administerin*
a)tism" Such $ere the e*innin*s of Christianit'"
A++ $as done ' ins)iration ' enthusiasm( as
amon* the Thera)eutse and the .udaites( if $e ma'
for a moment e )ermitted to com)are .e$ish socie7
ties( no$ ecome re)roate( $ith societies conducted
' .esus Christ &imse+f from the hi*hest hea%en(
$here &e sat at the ri*ht hand of &is Father" Time
rou*ht necessar' chan*esH the Church ein* e>7
tended( stren*thened( and enriched( had occasion for
ne$ +a$s"
APPARITION"
IT is not at a++ uncommon for a )erson under
stron* emotion to see that $hich is not" In :@?B a
$oman in London( accused of ein* an accom)+ice
in her husands murder( denied the fact H the dead
mans coat $as he+d u) and sha=en efore her( her
terried ima*ination )resented the husand himse+f
to her %ie$ H she fe++ at his feet and $ou+d ha%e em7
raced him" She to+d the Mur' that she had seen her
husand" It is not $onderfu+ that" Theodoric sa$
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in the head of a sh( $hich $as ser%ed u) to him(
that of S'mmachus( $hom he had assassinated or
unMust+' e>ecuted H for it is )recise+' the same thin*"
Char+es I8"( after the massacre of St" !artho+o7
me$( sa$ dead odies and +ood H not in his dreams(
ut in the con%u+sions of a trou+ed mind see=in*
for s+ee) in %ain" &is )h'sician and his nurse ore
Dictionar'" 3:
$itness to it" Fantastic %isions are %er' freJuent
in hot fe%ers" This is not seein* in ima*ination H it
is seein* in rea+it'" The )hantom e>ists to him
$ho has the )erce)tion of it" If the *ift of reason
%ouchsafed to the human machine $ere not at hand
to correct these i++usions( a++ heated ima*inations
$ou+d e in an a+most continua+ trans)ort( and it
$ou+d e im)ossi+e to cure them"
It is es)ecia++' in that midd+e state et$een s+ee)7
in* and $a=in* that an inamed rain sees im7
a*inar' oMects and hears sounds $hich nood' ut7
ters" Fear( +o%e( *rief( remorse are the )ainters
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$ho trace the )ictures efore unsett+ed ima*inations"
The e'e $hich sees s)ar=s in the ni*ht( $hen acci7
denta++' )ressed in a certain direction( is ut a faint
ima*e of the disorders of the rain"
No theo+o*ian douts that $ith these natura+
causes the 0aster of nature has sometimes united
&is di%ine inuence" To this the O+d and the Ne$
Testament ear am)+e testimon'" Pro%idence has
dei*ned to em)+o' these a))aritions these %isions
in fa%or of the .e$s( $ho $ere then its cherished
)eo)+e"
It ma' e that( in the course of time( some rea++'
)ious sou+s( decei%ed ' their enthusiasm( ha%e e7
+ie%ed that the' had recei%ed from an intimate com7
munication $ith od that $hich the' o$ed on+' to
their inamed ima*inations" In such cases there is
need of the ad%ice of an honest man( and es)ecia++'
of a *ood )h'sician"
3 : B Phi+oso)hica+
The stories of a))aritions are innumera+e" It is
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said to ha%e een in conseJuence of an a))arition
that St" Theodore( in the e*innin* of the fourth
centur'( $ent and set re to the tem)+e of Amasia
and reduced it to ashes" It is %er' +i=e+' that od
did not command this action( in itse+f so crimina+( '
$hich se%era+ citi1ens )erished( and $hich e>)osed
a++ the Christians to a Must re%en*e"
od mi*ht )ermit St" Potamienne to a))ear to St"
!asi+idesH for there resu+ted no disturance to the
state" We $i++ not den' that .esus Christ mi*ht a)7
)ear to St" Victor" !ut that St" !enedict sa$ the
sou+ of St" ermanus of Ca)ua carried u) to hea%en
' an*e+s H and that t$o mon=s after$ards sa$ the
sou+ of St" !enedict $a+=in* on a car)et e>tended
from hea%en to 0ount Cassino this is not Juite
so eas' to e+ie%e"
It ma' +i=e$ise( $ithout an' oence to our au7
*ust re+i*ion( e douted $hether St" Eucherius $as
conducted ' an an*e+ into he++( $here he sa$
Char+es 0atte+s sou+H and $hether a ho+' hermit
of Ita+' sa$ the sou+ of Da*oert chained in a oat
' de%i+s( $ho $ere o**in* it $ithout merc' H for(
after a++( it is rather dicu+t to e>)+ain satisfactori+'
ho$ a sou+ can $a+= u)on a car)et( ho$ it can e
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chained in a oat( or ho$ it can e o**ed"
!ut( it ma' %er' $e++ e that heated rains ha%e
had such %isions H from a*e to a*e $e ha%e a thou7
sand instances of them" One must e %er' en+i*ht7
ened to distin*uish( in this )rodi*ious numer of
Dictionar'" 3:@
%isions( those $hich came from od &imse+f from
those $hich $ere )ure+' the os)rin* of ima*ina7
tion"
The i++ustrious !ossuet re+ates( in his funera+ ora7
tion o%er the Princess Pa+atine( t$o %isions $hich
acted )o$erfu++' on that )rincess( and determined
the $ho+e conduct of her +atter 'ears" These hea%en+'
%isions must e e+ie%ed since the' are re*arded
as such ' the discreet and +earned isho) of 0eau>(
$ho )enetrated into a++ the de)ths of theo+o*' and
e%en undertoo= to +ift the %ei+ $hich co%ers the
A)oca+')se"
&e sa's( then( that the Princess Pa+atine( ha%in*
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+ent a hundred thousand francs to her sister( the
Jueen of Po+and( so+d the duch' of Rete+ois for a
mi++ion( and married her dau*hters ad%anta*eous+'"
&a))' accordin* to the $or+d( ut unfortunate+'
doutin* the truths of the Christian re+i*ion( she $as
rou*ht ac= to her con%iction( and to the +o%e of
these inea+e truths ' t$o %isions" The rst $as
a dream in $hich a man orn +ind to+d her that he
had no idea of +i*ht( and that $e must e+ie%e the
$ord of others in thin*s of $hich $e cannot our7
se+%es concei%e" The second arose( from a %io+ent
shoc= of the memranes and res of the rain in
an attac= of fe%er" She sa$ a hen runnin* after one
of her chic=ens( $hich a do* he+d in his mouth" The
Princess Pa+atine snatched the chic= from the do*(
on $hich a %oice cried out- #i%e him ac= his
chic=en H if 'ou de)ri%e him of his food he $i++ not
3 : 9 Phi+oso)hica+
$atch as he ou*ht"# !ut the )rincess e>c+aimed(
#No( I $i++ ne%er *i%e it ac="#
The chic=en $as the sou+ of Anne of on1a*a(
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Princess Pa+atine H the hen $as the Church( and the
do* $as the de%i+" Anne of on1a*a( $ho $as ne%er
to *i%e ac= the chic=en to the do*( $as ecacious
*race"
!ossuet )reached this funera+ oration to the Car7
me+ite nuns of the Fauour* St" .acJues( at Paris(
efore the $ho+e house of Conde H he used these
remar=a+e $ords - #&ear=en( and e es)ecia++'
carefu+ not to hear $ith contem)t the order of
the Di%ine $arnin*s( and the conduct of Di%ine
*race"#
The reader( then( must )eruse this stor' $ith the
same re%erence $ith $hich its hearers +istened to it"
These e>traordinar' $or=in*s of Pro%idence are +i=e
the mirac+es of canoni1ed saints( $hich must e at7
tested ' irre)roacha+e $itnesses" And $hat more
+a$fu+ de)onent can $e ha%e to the a))aritions and
%isions of the Princess Pa+atine than the man $ho
em)+o'ed his +ife in distin*uishin* truth from a)7
)earance $ho comated %i*orous+' a*ainst the nuns
of Port Ro'a+ on the formu+ar' H a*ainst Pau+ Ferri
on the catechism H a*ainst the minister C+aude on the
%ariations of the Church H a*ainst Doctor Du)in on
China H a*ainst Father Simon on the understandin*
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of the sacred te>tH a*ainst Cardina+ Sfondrati on
)redestination H a*ainst the )o)e on the ri*hts of the
a++ican Church H a*ainst the archisho) of Camra'
Dictionar'" 3:;
on )ure and disinterested +o%e" &e $as not to e se7
duced ' the names( nor the tit+es( nor the re)utation(
nor the dia+ectics of his ad%ersaries" &e re+ated this
factH therefore he e+ie%ed it" Let us Moin him in
his e+ief( in s)ite of the rai++er' $hich it has occa7
sioned" Let us adore the secrets of Pro%idence( ut
+et us distrust the $anderin*s7 of the ima*ination(
$hich 0a+eranche ca++ed +a fo++e du +o*is" For these
t$o %isions accorded to the Princess Pa+atine are not
%ouchsafed to e%er' one"
.esus Christ a))eared to St" Catharine of Sienna H
he es)oused her and *a%e her a rin*" This m'stica+
a))arition is to e %enerated( for it is attested ' Ra'7
mond of Ca)ua( *enera+ of the Dominicans( $ho con7
fessed her( as a+so ' Po)e /ran VI" !ut it is re7
Mected ' the +earned F+eur'( author of the #Ecc+esi7
astica+ &istor'"# And a 'oun* $oman $ho shou+d
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no$ oast of ha%in* contracted such a marria*e
mi*ht recei%e as a nu)tia+ )resent a )+ace in a +unatic
as'+um"
The a))earance of 0other An*e+ica( aess of
Port Ro'a+( to Sister Doroth' is re+ated ' a man
of %er' *reat $ei*ht amon* the .ansenists( the Sieur
Dufosse( author of the #0emoirs de Pontis"#
0other An*e+ica( +on* after her death( came and
seated herse+f in the church of Port Ro'a+( in her
o+d )+ace( $ith her crosier in her hand" She com7
manded that Sister Doroth' shou+d e sent for and
to her she to+d terri+e secrets" !ut the testimon'
of this Dufosse is of +ess $ei*ht than that of Ra'7