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The Apology of Aristides
I. I, O King in the providence of God came into the world and when I had considered the heaven and the earth, the sun and the moon and the rest, I m
II. Having thus spoken concerning God, so far as it was possible for me to speak of Him, let us next proceed to the human race, that we may see which
III. Let us see then which of them participate in truth and which of them in error.
IV. Let us proceed then, O King, to the elements themselves that we may show in regard to them that they are not gods, but perishable and mutable, pr
V. They also erred who believed the water to be a god. For it, too, has been made for the use of men, and is controlled by them it is defiled and d
VI. They also err who believe the sun to be a god. For we see that it moves by necessity and revolves and passes from sign to sign, setting and risi
VII. They also err who believe that man is a god. For we see that he is moved by necessity, and is made to grow up, and becomes old even though he w
VIII. Let us proceed then to the Greeks, that we may see whether they have any discernment concerning God. The Greeks, indeed, though they call them
IX. But, further, if we be minded to discuss their gods individually, you will see how great is the absurdity for instance, how Kronos is brought fo
X. Along with him, too, they bring forward one Hephaistos as a god, and they say that he is lame and wields a hammer and tongs, working as a smith fo
XI. They represent Apollo also as a jealous god, and besides as the master of the bow and quiver, and sometimes of the lyre and flute, and as divinin
XII. The Egyptians, again, being more stupid and witless than these have gone further astray than all the nations. For they were not content with th
XIII. So the Egyptians and the Chaldæans and the Greeks made a great error in bringing forward such beings as gods, and in making images of them, and
XIV. Let us proceed then, O King, to the Jews also, that we may see what truth there is in their view of God. For they were descendants of Abraham a
XV. Now the Christians trace their origin from the Lord Jesus Christ. And He is acknowledged by the Holy Spirit to be the son of the most high God,
XVI. Verily then, this is the way of the truth which leads those who travel therein to the everlasting kingdom promised through Christ in the life to
XVII. Thus far, O King, extends my discourse to you, which has been dictated in my mind by the Truth. Wherefore let thy foolish sages cease their i
as it is preserved in the history of
Barlaam and Josaphat.
Translated from the Greek.
The Apology of Aristides. Fragments.
