{"author":null,"backreferences":[{"context_html":"<p class=\"c006\">3. We must, indeed, endeavour to ascertain whether that\r\nwisdom<a id=\"r676\"></a><a class=\"c007 pginternal\" href=\"#f676\"><sup>[676]</sup></a> of the princes of this world, with which they endeavour\r\nto imbue men, is introduced into their minds by the\r\nopposing powers, with the purpose of ensnaring and injuring\r\nthem, or only for the purpose of deceiving them, <i>i.e.</i> not with\r\nthe object of doing any hurt to man; but, as these princes\r\nof this world esteem such opinions to be true, they desire to\r\nimpart to others what they themselves believe to be the truth:\r\n<span class=\"pageno\" id=\"Page_240\">240</span>and this is the view which I am inclined to adopt. For as, to\r\ntake an illustration, certain Greek authors, or the leaders of\r\nsome heretical sect, after having imbibed an error in doctrine\r\ninstead of the truth, and having come to the conclusion in\r\ntheir own minds that such is the truth, proceed, in the next\r\nplace, to endeavour to persuade others of the correctness of\r\ntheir opinions; so, in like manner, are we to suppose is the\r\nprocedure of the princes of this world, in which to certain\r\nspiritual powers has been assigned the rule over certain\r\nnations, and who are termed on that account the princes of\r\nthis world. There are besides, in addition to these princes,\r\ncertain special energies<a id=\"r677\"></a><a class=\"c007 pginternal\" href=\"#f677\"><sup>[677]</sup></a> of this world, <i>i.e.</i> spiritual powers,\r\nwhich bring about certain effects, which they have themselves,\r\nin virtue of their freedom of will, chosen to produce, and to\r\nthese belong those princes who practise the wisdom of this\r\nworld: there being, for example, a peculiar energy and\r\npower, which is the inspirer of poetry; another, of geometry;\r\nand so a separate power, to remind us of each of the arts and\r\nprofessions of this kind. Lastly, many Greek writers have\r\nbeen of opinion that the art of poetry cannot exist without\r\nmadness;<a id=\"r678\"></a><a class=\"c007 pginternal\" href=\"#f678\"><sup>[678]</sup></a> whence also it is several times related in their\r\nhistories, that those whom they call poets<a id=\"r679\"></a><a class=\"c007 pginternal\" href=\"#f679\"><sup>[679]</sup></a> were suddenly\r\nfilled with a kind of spirit of madness. And what are we to\r\nsay also of those whom they call diviners,<a id=\"r680\"></a><a class=\"c007 pginternal\" href=\"#f680\"><sup>[680]</sup></a> from whom, by\r\nthe working of those demons who have the mastery over\r\nthem, answers are given in carefully constructed verses?\r\nThose persons, too, whom they term Magi or Malevolent,<a id=\"r681\"></a><a class=\"c007 pginternal\" href=\"#f681\"><sup>[681]</sup></a>\r\nfrequently, by invoking demons over boys of tender years,\r\nhave made them repeat poetical compositions which were\r\nthe admiration and amazement of all. Now these effects we\r\nare to suppose are brought about in the following manner:\r\nAs holy and immaculate souls, after devoting themselves\r\nto God with all affection and purity, and after preserving\r\nthemselves free from all contagion of evil spirits,<a id=\"r682\"></a><a class=\"c007 pginternal\" href=\"#f682\"><sup>[682]</sup></a> and after\r\nbeing purified by lengthened abstinence, and imbued with\r\nholy and religious training, assume by this means a portion\r\n<span class=\"pageno\" id=\"Page_241\">241</span>of divinity, and earn the grace of prophecy, and other divine\r\ngifts; so also are we to suppose that those who place themselves\r\nin the way of the opposing powers, <i>i.e.</i> who purposely\r\nadmire and adopt their manner of life and habits,<a id=\"r683\"></a><a class=\"c007 pginternal\" href=\"#f683\"><sup>[683]</sup></a> receive\r\ntheir inspiration, and become partakers of their wisdom and\r\ndoctrine. And the result of this is, that they are filled with\r\nthe working of those spirits to whose service they have subjected\r\nthemselves.</p>","headings":["The Writings of Origen, Vol. 1 of 2","ORIGEN DE PRINCIPIIS.","BOOK III.","CHAPTER III. ON THREEFOLD WISDOM."],"marker_anchor":null,"paragraph_id":"pg70561-paragraph-253"}],"canonical_references":[],"date_end":null,"date_start":null,"deduplication_fingerprint":"0183c12d1f7d94249b3613296b4d0d98b2a5aed8a925ae512ad581fe5b3e6f15","edition_title":"The writings of Origen, Vol. 1 (of 2)","edition_translators":["Frederick Crombie"],"edition_year":1869,"explicit_reference_candidates":[],"headings":[],"id":"pg70561-f682","license_url":"https://www.gutenberg.org/policy/license.html","public_import_allowed":false,"record_kind":"original-editor-translator-note","review_required":["work and recension attribution","original-work chronology","Bible reference numbering and citation kind","English edition rights and attribution"],"review_status":"needs_review","rights_evidence":"Project Gutenberg metadata: Public domain in the USA. Existing 1869 English translation; translator died 1889. Electronic transcription subject to Project Gutenberg reuse terms.","source_anchor":"f682","source_ebook":70561,"source_html":"<div class=\"footnote\" id=\"f682\">\n<p class=\"c006\"><span class=\"label\"><a class=\"pginternal\" href=\"#r682\">682</a>. </span><span lang=\"la\">Dæmonum.</span></p>\n</div>","source_sha256":"de125e213d16053354f22b34a1c8d477ac23f201e660e4f4841b2ed7e05bb367","source_url":"https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/70561/pg70561-images.html#f682","text_sha256":"db5e5785b34d5f6f34042711134d613a238acac27c88984d815f8555381a9551","verified":false,"work_id":null}