To Florus 5.1

The dangers of every age have shown that respect for uncorrupted judgment flourishes among few people. Devoted to the pursuit of knowledge and eager for virtue, they can investigate the truth or dare to defend it once found. Or, as the apostle says, ‘They have their senses trained to distinguish good and evil’ (Hebrews 5:14). No storms of adversity break them, for they hear from the same teacher that they must resist sins to the point of shedding blood (Hebrews 12:4). These wise people, whom crowds of fools make appear few, therefore pursue knowledge and courage equally. Neither without the other attains either fruit or honor. Courage, unless directed by knowledge toward the best things, breaks out into contemptible madness. Conversely, the thoroughly tested laws of justice, unless enclosed by the wall of greatness of soul, will immediately lie open to plunder and be carried off into slavery to crimes. In different ages, therefore, very few have existed who cultivated, yoked, and drove this two-horse team, without which the world’s errors cannot be conquered. The pursuit of knowledge is impeded both by avoidance of labor and by the variety of worldly cares; steadfastness is shaken by fear of the troubles wicked people stir up. Faithful and wise minds indeed overcome these forms of assault. Yet they are so rare that among crowds of the insane they seem insane because they do not rage.