Traduction Masquer
The Apology of Aristides the Philosopher

VII.

They also err who believe that man ¹ is a god. For we see that he is moved by necessity, and is made to grow up, and becomes old even though he would not. And at one time he is joyous, at another he is grieved when he lacks food and drink and clothing. And we see that he is subject to anger and jealousy and desire and change of purpose and has many infirmities. He is destroyed too in many ways by means of the elements and animals, and by ever-assailing death. It cannot be admitted, then, that man is a god, but only a work of God.

Great therefore is the error into which the Chaldaeans wandered, following after their own desires.

For they reverence the perishable elements and lifeless images, and do not perceive that they themselves make these things to be gods.

Traduction Masquer
L'Apologie d'Aristide

VII.

Ceux qui pensent que l’homme¹ est Dieu se trompent. Car nous le voyons se mouvoir par nécessité, se nourrir, vieillir malgré lui. Tantôt il est dans la joie, tantôt dans la tristesse, ayant besoin de nourriture, de boisson et de vêtement. Il est irascible, jaloux, envieux et troublé; il a beaucoup de défauts. Les éléments et les animaux lui sont nuisibles de bien des manières, et la mort le menace. L’homme ne peut donc être Dieu; il est oeuvre de Dieu.

Les Chaldéens ont donc grandement erré en suivant leurs désirs. Ils adorent les éléments corruptibles et les statues mortes. Et ils ne comprennent pas les choses qu’ils divinisent.