Translation Hide
Defence before Constantius

8.Disproof of It.

With such a man the slanderer thought that I had been on terms of friendship, or rather he did not think so, but like an enemy invented an incredible fiction: for he knows full well that he has lied. I would that, whoever he is, he were present here, that I might put the question to him on the word of Truth itself (for whatever we speak as in the presence of God, we Christians consider as an oath ¹); I say, that I might ask him this question, which of us rejoiced most in the well-being of the departed Constans? who prayed for him most earnestly? The facts of the foregoing charge prove this; indeed it is plain to every one how the case stands. But although he himself knows full well, that no one who was so disposed towards the departed Constans, and who truly loved him, could be a friend to his enemy, I fear that being possessed with other feelings towards him than I was, he has falsely attributed to me those sentiments of hatred which were entertained by himself.

Translation Hide
Apologie de Saint Athanase à l'Empereur Constance

8.

C’est d’un tel homme que le calomniateur m’a cru l’ami; ou plutôt il ne l’a pas même cru, mais, en ennemi, s’est porté à cette incroyable imagination: car il sait parfaitement qu’il a menti. Quel qu’il soit, je voudrais qu’il fût ici présent, et l’interroger au nom de la vérité: car tel est le serment des chrétiens ; nous parlons comme si nous étions en présence de Dieu. Quel est de nous deux celui qui se réjouissait de la vie du bienheureux Constant, qui faisait pour lui les plus ferventes prières? C’est ce que montre la première accusation; c’est ce qui est clair pour tous. Il est le premier à parfaitement savoir que, dans une telle affection, l’homme qui aimait de cœur le bienheureux Constant, n’était pas l’ami de son ennemi; et, s’il était dans d’autres sentiments que moi, je crains qu’il ne m’ait faussement imputé ce qu’il avait conçu dans sa haine pour le prince.