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De Idololatria

XX.

[1] Sed enim cum conuersatio diuinae disciplinae non factis tantum, uerum etiam uerbis periclitetur (nam sicut scriptum est, ecce homo et facta eius, ita, ex ore tuo iustificaberis), meminisse debemus etiam in uerbis quoque idololatriae incursum praecauendum aut de consuetudinis uitio aut timiditatis. [2] Deos nationum nominari lex prohibet non utique : nomina eorum pronuntiemus, quae nobis ut dicamus conuersatio extorquet. Nam id plerumque dicendum est : in templo Aesculapii illum habes, et, in uico Isidis habito, et sacerdos Iouis factus est, et multa alia in hunc modum, quando et hominibus hoc genus nomina inducuntur. Neque enim Saturnum honoro, si ita uocauero eum suo nomine ; tam non honoro, quam Marcum, si uocauero Marcum. [3] Sed ait: nomen aliorum deorum ne commemoremini neque audiatur de tuo ore. Hoc praecepit, ne deos uocemus illos. Nam et in prima parte legis, non sumes, inquit, nomen domini dei tui in uano id est idolo. Cecidit igitur in idololatriam qui idolum nomine dei honorauerit. [4] Quodsi deos dicendum erit, adiciendum est aliquid quo appareat, quia non ego illos deos dico. Nam et scriptura deos nominat, sed adicit suos uel nationum ; sicut Dauid, cum deos nominasset, ubi ait, dei autem nationum daemonia. Sed hoc mihi ad sequentia magis praestructum est. [5] Ceterum consuetudinis uitium est Mehercule dicere, Medius Fidius, accedente ignorantia quorundam, qui ignorant iusiurandum esse per Herculem. Porro quid erit deieratio per eos quos eierasti quam praeuaricatio fidei cum idololatria ? Quis enim, per quos deierat, non honorat ?

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On Idolatry

Chapter XX.--Concerning Idolatry in Words.

But, however, since the conduct according to the divine rule is imperilled, not merely by deeds, but likewise by words, (for, just as it is written, "Behold the man and his deeds;" ¹ so, "Out of thy own mouth shalt thou be justified" ² ), we ought to remember that, even in words, also the inroad of idolatry must be foreguarded against, either from the defect of custom or of timidity. The law prohibits the gods of the nations from being named, ³ not of course that we are not to pronounce their names, the speaking of which common intercourse extorts from us: for this must very frequently be said, "You find him in the temple of AEsculapius;" and, "I live in Isis Street;" and, "He has been made priest of Jupiter;" and much else after this manner, since even on men names of this kind are bestowed. I do not honour Saturnus if I call a man so, by his own name. I honour him no more than I do Marcus, if I call a man Marcus. But it says, "Make not mention of the name of other gods, neither be it heard from thy mouth." ⁴ The precept it gives is this, that we do not call them gods. For in the first part of the law, too, "Thou shalt not," saith He, "use the name of the Lord thy God in a vain thing," ⁵ that is, in an idol. ⁶ Whoever, therefore, honours an idol with the name of God, has fallen into idolatry. But if I speak of them as gods, something must be added to make it appear that I do not call them gods. For even the Scripture names "gods," but adds "their," viz. "of the nations:" just as David does when he had named "gods," where he says, "But the gods of the nations are demons." ⁷ But this has been laid by me rather as a foundation for ensuing observations. However, it is a defect of custom to say, "By Hercules, So help me the god of faith;" ⁸ while to the custom is added the ignorance of some, who are ignorant that it is an oath by Hercules. Further, what will an oath be, in the name of gods whom you have forsworn, but a collusion of faith with idolatry? For who does not honour them in whose name he swears?