118. The chief amongst ourselves have stated
that prudence lies in the knowledge of the truth. But who of them
all excelled Abraham, David, or Solomon in this? Then they go on
to say that justice has regard to the whole community of the human
race. So David said: “He hath dispersed abroad and
given to the poor, His righteousness remaineth for
ever.” Ps. cxii.
[cxi.] 9. The just man
has pity, the just man lends. The whole world of riches lies at
the feet of the wise and the just. The just man regards what
belongs to all as his own, and his own as common property. The
man just accuses himself rather than others. For he is just who
does not spare himself, and who does not suffer his secret actions to
be concealed. See now how just Abraham was! In his old age
he begat a son according to promise, and when the Lord demanded him for
sacrifice he did not think he ought to refuse him, although he was his
only son. Gen. xxii. 3.