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Clement of Alexandria
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Introductory Note to Clement of Alexandria
[3585] [Philo is here quoted by editors, and a passage from Plato. “Sophists,” indeed! With insane persons, and in like cases, looser moralists have argued thus, but Clement justly credits it to Sophistry. Elucidation I.]
[3586] Rom. ii. 25; Eph. ii. 11. [Plainly, he introduces this example of an apparent inconsistency, because only so far he supposes the Gnostic may allow himself, without playing false, to temporize.]
[3587] 1 Cor. ix. 19, etc.
[3588] This sentence is obscure, and has been construed and amended variously.
Chapter X.—Steps to Perfection.
[3590] [Τῶν κατεπειγόντων γνῶσις. This definition must be borne in mind. It destroys all pretences that anything belonging to the faith, i.e., dogma, might belong to an esoteric system.]
[3597] [Here, also, the morality of the true Gnostic is distinguished from the system of dogmas, την τῶν δογμάτων θεωρίαν. Elucidation II.]
Chapter XI.—Description of the Gnostic’s Life.
[3598] [Others see the letter only, but the true Gnostic penetrates to the spirit, of the law.]
[3599] [Here is no toleration of untruth. See p. 538, supra.]
[3600] [The bearing of this beautiful anecdote upon clerical wedlock and the sanctity of the married life must be obvious.]
[3601] [1 Cor. vii. 29. S.]
[3602] [Brute bravery is here finely contrasted with real courage: a distinction rarely recognised by the multitude. Thus the man who trembles, yet goes into peril in view of duty, is the real hero. Yet the insensible brute, who does not appreciate the danger, often passes for his superior, with the majority of men.]
[3603] [Again note our author’s fidelity to the law of intrepid truthfulness, and compare pp. 538, 540.]
[3604] [Jas. v. 12. S.]
Chapter XII.—The True Gnostic is Beneficent, Continent, and Despises Worldly Things.
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