Traduction Masquer
Defence of his flight

18. The Saints who fled were no cowards.

Of a truth no one can possibly doubt that they were well furnished with the virtue of fortitude. For the Patriarch Jacob who had before fled from Esau, feared not death when it came, but at that very time blessed the Patriarchs, each according to his deserts. And the great Moses, who previously had hid himself from Pharaoh, and had withdrawn into Midian for fear of him, when he received the commandment, ‘Return into Egypt ¹,’ feared not to do so. And again, when he was bidden to go up into the mountain Abarim ² and die, he delayed not through cowardice, but even joyfully proceeded thither. And David, who had before fled from Saul, feared not to risk his life in war in defence of his people; but having the choice of death or of flight set before him, when he might have fled and lived, he wisely preferred death. And the great Elijah, who had at a former time hid himself from Jezebel, shewed no cowardice when he was commanded by the Spirit to meet Ahab, and to reprove Ahaziah. And Peter, who had hid himself for fear of the Jews, and the Apostle Paul who was let down in a basket, and fled, when they were told, ‘Ye must bear witness at Rome ³,’ deferred not the journey; yea, rather, they departed rejoicing ⁴; the one as hastening to meet his friends, received his death with exultation; and the other shrunk not from the time when it came, but gloried in it, saying, ‘For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand ⁵.’

Traduction Masquer
Apologie de Saint Athanase sur sa fuite

18.

Ils étaient si bien préparés à la vertu du courage, qu’il n’est personne, quel qu’il soit, qui ait le droit de la mettre en doute. Le patriarche Jacob avait fui devant Esaü ; en présence de la mort, il ne trembla point et, alors même, bénit, chacun selon son mérite, les douze patriarches. Le grand Moïse s’était caché par crainte de Pharaon et enfui dans la terre de Madian; mais quand il s’entend dire: Va en Egypte, il n’a plus d’effroi; quand il reçoit l’ordre de monter sur le mont Abaris pour y mourir, il se soumet sans trembler et part avec allégresse. David qui fuit devant Saül, ne tremblait pas quand il combattait aux premiers rangs pour les peuples; il s’entendait donner le choix entre la mort et la fuite; mais, quand il pouvait se sauver et vivre, il préférait la mort, le sage héros ! Le grand Elie s’était caché devant Jézabel; il s’entendit sans effroi ordonner par l’Esprit d’aller trouver Achab et d’accuser Ochosias. Pierre se dérobe par peur des Juifs; Paul se fait descendre dans une corbeille et fuit; mais ils s’entendent dire : Il vous faut aller à Rome subir le martyre; ils ne remettent point leur voyage et partent joyeux. L’un, comme s’il s’empressait vers les siens, se réjouit d’être égorgé; l’autre, loin de frémir, quand est venue son heure, se glorifie en disant Je suis désormais la victime prête pour le sacrifice, et voici qu’arrive l’heure de ma délivrance.