Origen, AGAINST CELSUS, Part II, Complete

Translated from the Greek original by Frederick Crombie.

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This Part: 128 Pages

Page 128

Chapter LXIX.

Celsus continues in his usual manner, asserting that "to change a nature entirely is exceedingly difficult." We, however, who know of only one nature in every rational soul, and who maintain that none has been created evil by the Author of all things, but that many have become wicked through education, and perverse example, and surrounding influences, [3648] so that wickedness has been naturalized [3649] in some individuals, are persuaded that for the word of God to change a nature in which evil has been naturalized is not only not impossible, but is even a work of no very great difficulty, if a man only believe that he must entrust himself to the God of all things, and do everything with a view to please Him with whom it cannot be [3650] that

"Both good and bad are in the same honour,

Or that the idle man and he who laboured much

Perish alike." [3651]

But even if it be exceedingly difficult to effect a change in some persons, the cause must be held to lie in their own will, which is reluctant to accept the belief that the God over all things is a just Judge of all the deeds done during life. For deliberate choice and practice [3652] avail much towards the accomplishment of things which appear to be very difficult, and, to speak hyperbolically, almost impossible.

[3648] para tas anatrophas, kai tas diastrophas, kai tas periecheseis.

[3649] phusiothenai.

[3650] [par' ho ouk estin. S.]

[3651] Cf. Iliad, ix. 319, 320.

[3652] proairesis kai askesis.

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