Solomon’s three books = ethics, physics, epoptics
Solomon is to be thought to have handed down a threefold philosophy in three books: ethics in Proverbs, physics in Ecclesiastes, epoptics or contemplation in the Song of Songs. In Proverbs morals are corrected; in Ecclesiastes the vanity of creatures is shown; in the Song of Songs contemplation leads to the union of the Word and the Bride. The same order among the Greeks: first ethics, then physics, and last epoptics.
Latin
Triplicem philosophiam Salomon in tribus libris tradidisse putandus est: ethicam in Proverbiis, physicam in Ecclesiasten, epopticen sive contemplativam in Cantico Canticorum. In Proverbiis mores corriguntur; in Ecclesiasten vanitas creaturarum ostenditur; in Cantico Canticorum ad unionem Verbi et sponsae contemplatio perducit. Idem ordo apud Graecos: prius ethica, deinde physica, ad ultimum epoptica.
About this text
Origen’s Commentary on the Song of Songs, Prologus (Rufinus’s Latin). Complete on this page: §§1–20.
English follows Baehrens, Origenes Werke VIII (GCS 33, 1925), Rufinus’s Latin of the Commentary Prologus. Lawson ACW 26 was not used as wording. This page is Prologus §§1–20 (closeout).
Witnesses
- Copy-text Baehrens, Origenes Werke VIII = GCS 33 (1925) (Latin · Commentary Prologus §§1–20)
English is newly prepared for study from the stated edition. Open Latin on each section (or the Latin source witness link) for the source text. This is not a complete critical edition.