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Contra Faustum Manichaeum libri triginta tres

57.

Sed quia bonum est, ut etiam haec vita latius innotescens popularem gloriam mereatur, iniustum est autem, ut eam consequatur, si amatorem suum administrandis ecclesiasticis curis aptum et idoneum in otio detinet, nec gubernationi communis utilitatis impertit, p. 653,8 propterea Lia sorori suae dicit: Parum est tibi, quod virum meum accepisti, insuper et mandragorica filii mei vis accipere? , per unum virum significans eos omnes, qui cum sint agendi virtute habiles et digni, quibus regimen ecclesiae committatur ad dispensandum illi fidei sacramentum, accensi studio doctrinae atque indagandae et contemplandae sapientiae se ab omnibus actionum molestiis removere atque in otio discendi ac docendi condere volunt. Ita ergo dictum est: Parum est tibi, quod accepisti virum meum, insuper et mandragorica filii mei vis accipere? ac si diceretur: Parum est, quod homines ad laborem rerum gerendarum necessarios in otio detinet vita studiorum, insuper et popularem gloriam requirit? p. 653,21

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Reply to Faustus the Manichaean

57.

But as it is right that this studious life should gain public approval by letting itself be known, while it cannot rightly gain this approval if it keeps its follower in retirement, instead of using his powers for the management of ecclesiastical affairs, and so prevents his being generally useful; to this purpose Leah says to her sister, "Is it a small matter that thou hast taken my husband? and wouldest thou take away my son's mandrakes also?" ¹ The husband represents all those who, though fit for active life, and able to govern the Church, in administering to believers the mystery of the faith, from their love of learning and of the pursuit of wisdom, desire to relinquish all troublesome occupations, and to bury themselves in the classroom. Thus the words, "Is it a small matter that thou hast taken my husband? and wouldest thou take away my son's mandrakes also?" mean, "Is it a small matter that the life of study keeps in retirement men required for the toils of public life? and does it ask for popular renown as well?"