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AN EXACT EXPOSITION OF THE ORTHODOX FAITH

THE BOOK ON PHILOSOPHY

CHAPTER I bridal chamber may be opened to us and we may

behold the beauties within. Now, the gate is the letter,
but the bridal chamber within the gate is the beauty of
Nothing is more esteemed than knowledge, for
the thoughts hidden behind the letter, which is to say,
knowledge is the light of the rational soul. The
the Spirit of truth. Let us knock hard, let us read once,
opposite, which is ignorance, is darkness. Just as the
twice, many times. By thus digging through we shall
absence of light is darkness, so is the absence of
find the treasure of knowledge and take delight in the
knowledge a darkness of the reason. Now, ignorance is
wealth of it. Let us seek, let us search, let us examine,
proper to irrational beings, while knowledge is proper
let us inquire. ‘For every one that asketh, receiveth:
to those who arc rational. Consequently, one who by
and he that seeketh, findeth: and to him that knocketh,
nature has the faculty of knowing and understanding,
it shall be opened; and ‘Ask thy father, and he will
yet does not have knowledge, such a one, although by
declare to thee: thy elders in knowledge and they will
nature rational, is by neglect and indifference inferior
tell thee.’ If, then, we are lovers of learning, we shall
to rational beings. By knowledge I mean the true
learn much, for it is of the nature of all things that they
knowledge of things which are, because things which
may be apprehended through industry and toil, and
have being are the object of knowledge. False
before all and after all by the grace of God, the Giver
knowledge, in so far as it is a knowledge of that which
of grace.
is not, is ignorance rather than knowledge. For
falsehood is nothing else but that which is not. Now,
Furthermore, since the divine Apostle says: ‘But
since we do not live with our soul stripped bare, but,
prove all things: hold fast that which is good,’ let us
on the contrary, have it clothed over, as it were, with
also find something in them worth carrying away and
the veil of the flesh, our soul has the mind as a sort of
reap some fruit that will be of profit to our soul. For
eye which sees and has the faculty of knowing and
every craftman has need, also, of certain things for the
which is capable of receiving knowledge and having
prosecution of his works, and it is also fitting for the
understanding of things which are. It does not,
queen to be waited upon by certain handmaidens. So
however, have knowledge and understanding of itself,
let us receive such sayings as serve the truth, while we
but has need of one to teach it; so, let us approach that
reject the impiety which exercised an evil tyranny over
Teacher in whom there is no falsehood and who is the
them. And let us not belittle that which is good. Nor let
truth. Christ is the subsistent wisdom and truth and in
us use the art of rhetoric for the deception of simpler
Him are all the hidden treasures of knowledge. In
folk. On the other hand, although the truth stands in no
sacred Scripture let us hear the voice of Him who is the
need of the service of subtle reasonings, let us
wisdom and power of God the Father, and let us learn
definitely use them to overthrow both those who fight
the true knowledge of all things that are. Let us
dishonestly and that which is falsely called
approach with attention and in all sincerity and proceed
knowledge.’
without letting the spiritual eye of our soul be dulled
by passions, for even the clearest and most limpid eye
And so, having invoked Christ as our Guide, the
will hardly enable one to gain a clear view of the truth.
subsistent Word of God by whom ‘every best gift and
‘If then the light that is in us (that is to say, the mind)
every perfect gift” is given, let us make our beginning
be darkness: the darkness itself how great shall it be!
with such principles as are adapted to those who are
With our whole soul and our whole understanding let
still in need of milk. May those who happen upon this
us approach. And since it is impossible for the eye that
work have it as their purpose to bring their mind safely
is constantly shifting and turning about clearly to
through to the final blessed end— which means to be
perceive the visible object, because for clear vision the
guided by their sense perceptions up to that which is
eye must be steadily focused upon the object observed,
beyond all sense perception and comprehension, which
let us put aside every anxiety of the mind and approach
is He who is the Author and Maker and Creator of all.
the truth unhampered by material considerations. And
‘For by the beauty of his own creatures the creator is
let us not be satisfied with arriving speedily at the gate,
by analogy discovered,’ and ‘the invisible things of
but rather let us knock hard, so that the door of the
him from the creation of the world are clearly seen,
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being understood by the things that are made.’ Thus, if Philosophy is divided into speculative and
we apply ourselves in a meek and humble spirit to the practical. The speculative is divided into theology,
attainment of knowledge, we shall arrive at the desired physiology, and mathematics. The practical is divided
end. ‘You cannot believe in me,’ said Christ, who is the into ethics, domestic economy, and politics. Now, the
truth, ‘if you receive glory from men,’ and, ‘every one speculative is the orderly disposition of knowledge. So,
that exalteth himself shall be humbled; and he that theology is the consideration of incorporeal and
humbleth himself shall be exalted.” immaterial things—first of all, of God, who is
absolutely immaterial; and then of angels and souls.
CHAPTER II Physiology, however, is the knowledge of the material
things that are close at hand to us, such as animals,
plants, stones, and the like. Mathematics is the
Anyone who begins something without a purpose
knowledge of things which are in themselves
is like someone fumbling in the dark, because he who
incorporeal but which are found in corporeal beings—
labors with no end in view is entirely at loose ends. So,
such, I mean, as numbers and musical notes, and, in
then, let us state at the very beginning what the
addition, such things as geometrical figures and the
proposed purpose of this work is, so that what we are
movements of the stars. Thus it is that the logical
to say may more easily be grasped. Our purpose, then,
consideration of numbers constitutes the science of
is to make a beginning of philosophy and to set down
arithmetic; that of the musical sounds, music; that of
concisely in the present writing, so far as is possible,
geometrical figures, geometry; that of the stars,
every sort of knowledge. For this reason let it be
astronomy. These stand midway between things that
entitled a Fount of Knowledge. I shall say nothing of
have bodies and things which have not, for, while
my own, but I shall set down things which have been
number is in itself incorporeal, it is also found in
said in various places by wise and godly men. First of
material things, such as grain, for example, or wine, or
all, then, it is best to know just what philosophy is.
any other such thing. Practical philosophy, moreover, is
concerned with the virtues. It governs manners and
CHAPTER III shows how one must behave in society. If it lays down
laws for the individual man, it is called ethics; but, if
Philosophy is knowledge of things which are in so for the entire household, then it is called domestic
far as they are, that is, a knowledge of the nature of economy; while, if for cities and countries, then it is
things which have being. And again, philosophy is called politics.
knowledge of both divine and human things, that is to
say, of things both visible and invisible. Philosophy, There are, however, some people who have
again, is a study of death, whether this be voluntary or endeavored to do away entirely with philosophy by
natural. For life is of two kinds, there being the natural asserting that it does not exist and that neither does any
life by which we live and the voluntary one by which knowledge or perception exist. We shall answer them
we cling lovingly to this present life. Death, also, is of by asking: How is it that you say that there is neither
two kinds: the one being natural, which is the philosophy, nor knowledge, nor perception? Is it by
separation of soul from body, whereas the other is the your knowing and perceiving it, or is it by your not
voluntary one by which we disdain this present life and knowing and perceiving it? If you have perceived it,
aspire to that which is to come. Still again, philosophy well, that is knowledge and perception. But if it is by
is the making of one’s self like God. Now, we become your not knowing it, then no one will believe you, as
like God in wisdom, which is to say, in the true long as you are discussing something of which you
knowledge of good; and in justice, which is a fairness have no knowledge.
in judgment without respect to persons; and in
holiness, which is to say, in goodness, which is Since, then, there is such a thing as philosophy and
superior to justice, being that by which we do good to since there is knowledge of things that are, let us talk
them that wrong us. Philosophy is the art of arts and about being. However, one should understand that we
the science of sciences. This is because philosophy is are beginning with that division of philosophy which
the principle of every art, since through it every art and concerns the reason and which is a tool of philosophy
science has been invented. Now, according to some, art rather than one of its divisions, because it is used for
is what errs in some people and science what errs in no every demonstration. So, for the present, we shall
one, whereas philosophy alone does not err. According discuss simple terms which through simple concepts
to others, art is that which is done with the hands, signify simple things. Then, after we have explained
whereas science is any art that is practiced by the the meanings of the words, we shall investigate
reason, such as grammar, rhetoric, and the like. dialectic.
Philosophy, again, is a love of wisdom. But, true
wisdom is God. Therefore, the love of God, this is the
true philosophy.