3. At these words, my dearest [Pompey],22 Trypho's friends
How Justin found philosophy
monishing me to meditate on what he had told me, and I never saw him again. But my spirit was immediately set on fire, and an affection for the prophets, and for those who are friends of Christ, took hold of me; while pondering on his words, I discovered that his was the only sure and useful philosophy.
2. "Thus it is that I am now a philosopher. Furthermore, it is my wish that everyone would be of the same sentiments as I, and never fall away from20 the Savior's words; for they have in themselves such tremendous majesty that they can instill fear into those who have wandered from the path of righteousness, whereas they ever remain a great solace to those who heed them. Thus, if you have any regard for your own welfare and for the salvation of your soul, and if you believe in God, you may have the chance, since I know you are no stranger to this matter, of attaining a knowledge of the Christ of God, and, after becoming a Christian,21 of enjoying a happy life."
3. At these words, my dearest [Pompey],22 Trypho's friends began to laugh, and he himself replied, smiling, "I commend all your other statements, and I admire your burning desire to know divine things, but it would be better for you to concentrate on the philosophy of Plato or some other philosopher, and in this way cultivate constancy, continency, and moderation, rather than be ensnared by false teachings, and become a partisan of worthless men. For, while you adhered to your former school of philosophy and lived a blameless life, there was hope of a better destiny for you, but, when you have turned away from God and have placed your hope in man, what chance of salvation do you have? If you will listen to me (indeed
Copyright © 2003. Catholic University of America Press. All rights reserved. le porte della luce," in In Verbis verum amare (Florence: La Nuova Italia, 1980),
101–34.
20. " jAfivstasqai, in fact, in Justin is a terminus technicus for apostasy": O.
Skarsaune, "The Conversion of Justin Martyr," Studia Theologica 30 (1976): 60.
21. Literally, "having become perfect." Some understand this to refer to initiation by baptism; others refer it to the perfection of life. The word "Christian" would perhaps embody both ideas. On Justin's own conversion see van Winden,
118–21; Skarsaune, "The Conversion of Justin Martyr," Studia Theologica 30 (1976): 53–73; M. Merino, "Los Caminos de la Conversión cristiana en el pensamiento de san Justino," Revista Agustiniana 82–83 (1986): 117–46.
22. The Greek text does not have the name "Pompey" but the Latin version has charissime Pompei. This person to whom St. Justin apparently addressed the Dialogue, is explicitly mentioned only in Dial. 141. See van Winden, 20 and n 3.
Justin, Martyr, Saint. Dialogue with Trypho (Selections from the Fathers of the Church, Volume 3), edited by Michael Slusser, Catholic University of America Press, 2003. ProQuest Ebook Central, http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/nottingham/de
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