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| Chapter LXXXVII
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Chapter
LXXXVII.
Let it be granted, however, that there are other
prophylactics against poisons known to animals: what does that
avail to prove that it is not nature, but reason, which leads to the
discovery of such things among them? For if reason were the
discoverer, this one thing (or, if you will, one or two more things)
would not be (exclusive4029
of all others) the
sole discovery made by
serpents, and some other thing the sole discovery of the eagle, and so
on with the rest of the animals; but as many discoveries would have
been made amongst them as among men. But now it is manifest from
the determinate inclination of the nature of each animal towards
certain kinds of help, that they possess neither wisdom nor reason, but
a natural constitutional tendency implanted by the Logos4030
| 4030 ὑπὸ
τοῦ Λόγου
γεγενημένη. |
towards such things in order to ensure the preservation of the
animal. And, indeed, if I wished to join issue with Celsus in
these matters, I might quote the words of Solomon from the book of
Proverbs, which run thus: “There be four things which are
little upon the earth, but these are wiser than the wise: The
ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the
summer; the conies4031
| 4031 χοιρογρύλλιοι.
Heb. סינִּפַשְׁ. | are but a feeble
folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks; the locusts have no
king, yet go they forth in order at one command; and the spotted
lizard,4032
though leaning upon
its hands, and being easily captured, dwelleth in kings’
fortresses.”4033
I do not
quote these words, however, as taking them in their literal
signification, but, agreeably to the title of the book (for it is
inscribed “Proverbs”), I investigate them as containing a
secret meaning. For it is the custom of these writers (of
Scripture) to distribute into many classes those writings which express
one sense when taken literally,4034
but which
convey a different signification as their hidden meaning; and one of
these kinds of writing is “Proverbs.” And for this
reason, in our Gospels too, is our Saviour described as saying:
“These things have I spoken to you in proverbs, but the time
cometh when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs.”4035
It is not, then, the visible
ants which are “wiser even than the wise,” but they who are
indicated as such under the “proverbial” style of
expression. And such must be our conclusion regarding the rest of
the animal creation, although Celsus regards the books of the Jews and
Christians as exceedingly simple and commonplace,4036
and imagines that those who give them an
allegorical interpretation do violence to the meaning of the
writers. By what we have said, then, let it appear that Celsus
calumniates us in vain, and let his assertions that serpents and eagles
are wiser than men also receive their refutation.E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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