De Ebrietate

Philo Judaeus

The works of Philo Judaeus, the contemporary of Josephus, volume 1. Yonge, C. D., translator. London: Henry G. Bohn, 1854.

And it is a great proof of good tune and of skilful management to bring his due gift to God; and this is to honour the living God in a becoming manner, by means of confessing most distinctly that this whole universe is his gift to us;

for he says in, strictest accordance with natural truth, "the man has brought the gift which he found." But every one of us, the moment that he [*](Numbers xxi. 18. ) [*](Numbers xxxi. 49. )

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is born, finds the great gift of God, namely the universal world, which he has given to him, and to the most excellent parts of him. [*](This passage is certainly corrupt. Markland thinks that some words at least have been lost. )

There are also particular gifts which it is suitable both to God to give, and to men to receive. And these must be the virtues and the energies in accordance with them, at the discovery of which, being almost without any connexion with time, by reason of the surpassing rapidity of the giver which he is accustomed to exhibit in his gifts, every one is full of admiration, even those to whom nothing else in the world appears great.

On which account also, the question is put, "How didst thou find it so quickly, O my son?" [*](Genesis xxvii. 20. ) the questioner marvelling at the promptness of the virtuous disposition; and he who has received the benefit answers felicitously, "Because the Lord God gave it to me." For the gifts and explanations of men are slow, but those of God are most rapid, outstripping the motion of even the most speedy time.