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| Simon's Arrogance.
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Chapter XV.—Simon’s Arrogance.
Then said Simon: “You seem to me to be
angry; but if it be so, it is not necessary to enter into the
conflict.” Then Peter: “I see that you perceive
that you are to be convicted, and you wish politely to escape from the
contest; for what have you seen to have made me angry against you, a
man desiring to deceive so great a multitude, and when you have nothing
to say, pretending moderation, who also command, forsooth, by your
authority that the controversy shall be conducted as you please, and
not as order demands?” Then Simon: “I shall
enforce myself to bear patiently your unskilfulness, that I may show
that you indeed wish to seduce the people, but that I teach the
truth. But now I refrain from a discussion concerning that
boundless light. Answer me, therefore, what I ask of you.
Since God, as you say, made all things, whence comes
evil?”680
| 680 [In Homily XIX. the
discussion with Simon is respecting the existence of the evil
one. Here the treatment is apparently of a higher philosophical
character.—R.] | Then said
Peter: “To put questions in this way is not the part of an
opponent, but of a learner. If therefore you wish to learn,
confess it; and I shall first teach you how you ought to learn, and
when you have learned to listen, then straightway I shall begin to
teach you. But if you do not wish to learn, as though you knew
all things, I shall first set forth the faith which I preach, and do
you also set forth what you think to be true; and when the profession
of each of us has been disclosed, let our hearers judge whose discourse
is supported by truth.” To this Simon answered:
“This is a good joke: behold a fellow who offers to teach
me! Nevertheless I shall suffer you, and bear with your ignorance
and your arrogance. I confess, then, I do wish to learn; let us
see how you can teach me.”
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