Introduction to the Philosophy of Saint Augustine (continued)
from that to which he wisely turns himself, without doubt acts wisely.
E. Without doubt indeed.
A. It is very clear, therefore, that all these things, which we have called rules and lights of the virtues, pertain to wisdom; inasmuch as the more one uses them in the conduct of life and lives his life according to them, the more he lives and acts wisely. But what is done wisely cannot rightly be said to be separated from wisdom.
E. Just so.
A. Just as, therefore, there are true and immutable rules of numbers, the reason and truth of which you have said is immutably present to all perceivers in common, so there are true and immutable rules of wisdom, concerning a few of which, when you were just now asked about them one by one, you answered that they were true and manifest and conceded that they are present for / the common contemplation of all who are 'able to regard them.
CHAPTER 11 Whether wisdom and number are the same, or whether one arises from the other, or exists in the other.
30. E. I cannot doubt it. But I would much like to know whether these two, wisdom and number, are contained in some one genus, as you have mentioned that they are also joined together in the holy Scriptures; or whether one arises from the other or consists in the other, as number from wisdom or in wisdom. For I should not have ventured to say that wisdom arises from number or consists in number, for I know not how this could be; for wisdom strikes me as far more venerable than number, because I have known many calculators or computers, or whatever else you may call them, who reckon superbly and marvellously—but of wise men only a very few or possibly none.
A. You say something at which I too often wonder. For when I reflect upon the immutable truth of numbers and upon its lair, as it were, or shrine or region or whatever else we may appropriately call the dwelling place and seat as it were of numbers, I am far removed from the body; and finding maybe something which I can think, but not finding anything which I can put into words, I return as if wearied to this world of ours, so that I may speak and may talk of those things that are not set before our eyes as they are wont to be talked of. This happens to me too, when as best I can I think very carefully and intently about