Against Emperor Julian

Surviving fragments from the lost books “Against Julian” by St. Cyril of Alexandria From 11 words Against Julian of Blessed Cyril It is truly said that “an arrogant, contemptuous and boastful person will achieve nothing” (Hab. 2:5) according to the word of the prophet, because conceit is the suppression of success, according to the common expression that is on the lips of many. From the same word. Conceit is the suppression of success. Indeed, it is easier for someone who admits his ignorance to be instructed in what is not yet known; As for the one who is in a state of imaginary knowledge, this very imaginary knowledge makes him unreasonable and ignorant in all respects, because he does not accept the words of those who teach. From 12 words Against Julian. The performer of the competition does not simply bestow exceptional honors on those who wish, but rather distributes rewards in proportion to the merits of the competitors. From the same word. Equal distribution between unequals is a sign of the greatest injustice. From 12 words Against Julian. It seems to me that it is reasonable and best not to miss the onset of a favorable moment for doing business. From 12 words Against Julian. Perhaps no one would approve of public slander, which I think is obvious to everyone; besides, it is common knowledge that it is vulgar. From 14 words Against Julian. Every person has the opportunity to achieve good fame and live a bright life. From the same word. Man is independent, so he, on his own impulse, follows everything that seems appropriate to him. The design of the Creator of the whole world is such that those who choose good deeds should receive praise, and those who go the other way will rightly expect ridicule from all people. From 14 words Against Julian. Subtly noticing the vanity of this life and the painful excess of worries in it, the psalmist said: “Behold, the great and spacious sea” (Ps. 103:25). From 14 words Against Julian. Angry speeches for salvation are vague and not understandable to everyone. From 15 words Against Julian. The human mind is guided by its own desires and voluntarily rushes towards everything that needs to be accomplished; and this is the true plan of God, the best of all creators, so that even if one of us finds himself in a state of participation in the Holy Spirit, who has taken possession of him through holy Baptism, he does not because of this cease to lead his life in accordance with his own will and as it seems expedient to him; as if with loose reins he is directed both to the good and to the opposite. From 15 words Against Julian. Slander is always unrestrained, and intemperance in words is characteristic of all people. I think it is necessary that accusations, no matter what they are brought against, be followed by evidence. But if the one who took up the accusation turns out to be weak in this, he will be known as a slanderer. From 15 words Against Julian. Dressing beautifully is just childish; it gives pleasure only from appearance and is pleasing to the eye. From 16 words Against Julian. It is necessary that praise deservedly reach those who have learned to cultivate the land excellently. From 16 words Against Julian. Since reward is proportionate to the merits of each, for those who choose a good life, rewards will be distributed by God in accordance with their deeds. In fact, this is confirmed by the Savior Himself, saying that the distribution of talents did not occur in equal measure, since one of those who distinguished himself was placed over ten cities, and another over five 1 . After all, just as everyone’s life is measured, so the reward will be fully commensurate with our virtue. From 16 words Against Julian. He who pleases people may deservedly receive praise from them as a reward, but he will receive nothing at all from God, because the good of earthly valor, in my opinion, attracted the eyes of the beholders, and not His attention. From 16 words Against Julian. Insult is completely shameful, indecent and unbecoming for those who have chosen a good life, none of those who strive for piety and virtue will be such. From 18 words Against Julian. Each of those living on earth receives reins for his own desires, so that he voluntarily goes either in one direction or in the other, that is, either to virtue or to the worse. From 18 words Against Julian. There are some, and there are many of them in this life, who, believing that their own opinion is correct, affirm it without examination. They believe that they speak wisely and infallibly in all respects, but until then they deceive themselves into the glory of being wise and insightful until they are faced with strong refutations from dissenters. From 18 words Against Julian. Where there is nothing superfluous, it is good; in excess - disrepute 2. From 18 words Against Julian. Those who do not lead virtuous and admirable lives find it painful, as it seems, when others achieve glory for prosperity and virtue. In fact, they make these benefits a reproach for their own worthlessness and, irritated by the glory of others, are tormented by the flames of envy. Although they should have chosen the best in imitation and, having raised all the sails, rushed to the love of those who shine so much, and not justified themselves through reproaches for what they failed to achieve. From 19 words Against Julian. The outsiders have very numerous means of eloquence and splendor of speech, and at the same time they have nothing that is useful. After all, they have not known God and the Creator by nature, but introduce countless gods into their lives. The polysemantic word τὰς διαβολάς is used here, which can also mean “dislike, hostility; disgust; enmity, quarrel; accusation; slander; slander,” perhaps “censure,” depending on the author’s thought, which is not entirely clear due to the brevity of the surviving fragment.