CONTRA FATUM

"We have argued before in a certain way, and now we shall do so again, that the goal of the virtuous life is likeness to the Divinity. And yet that which is passionless and undefiled totally eludes imitation by human beings. It is quite impossible for the existence which is subject to passion to be assimilated to the nature which admits no passions. But if the Divinity 'alone' is 'blessed', as the Apostle puts it (1Tim 6,15), and sharing in beatitude belongs to human beings through their likeness to the Divinity, and imitation is not possible, then blessedness is for human life unattainable. Nevertheless there are some features of godhead which those who wish to may take as models to imitate. What are they? The Word seems to me to be using the words 'poor in spirit' to mean 'voluntary humility'. The model for this is indicated by the Apostle when he speaks of the humility of God, 'who, though he was rich, yet for our sakes became poor, so that w...

“[...]a person who prevents such disgrace may truly be called blessed and should be honoured for such beneficial action. For if someone who has relieved a man from some physical ailment is honoured for his good deed, how much more should every sensible person consider a benefactor him who has freed the soul from this disease?” (Beat. pp. 161-162)

“[...]the Life of Virginity seems to be an actual representation of the blessedness in the world to come, showing as it does in itself so many signs of the presence of those expected blessings which are reserved for us there.” (De Vir. XIII, p. 360)

"All these sublime concepts [in I Tim. 6,15-16] about the divine would, then, in my opinion, constitute a definition of blessedness. For if someone were asked what beatitude is, he would give a properly pious answer if he followed Paul's statement and said that that nature which transcends everything is first and properly called blessed. Among humans, however, that beatitude, which is the nature of the one participated in, occurs to a certain extent, and is specified, by participation in true being. Likeness to God, therefore, is a definition of human blessedness." (De Inscriptione, tr. Heine, p. 84)