Chapter VIII.—The Gnostic So Addicted to Truth as Not to Need to Use an Oath.
The man of proved character in such piety
is far from being apt to lie and to swear. For an oath is a decisive
affirmation, with the taking of the divine name. For how can he, that is
once faithful, show himself unfaithful, so as to require an oath; and so
that his life may not be a sure and decisive oath? He lives, and walks,
and shows the trustworthiness of his affirmation in an unwavering and
sure life and speech. And if the wrong lies in the judgment of one
who does and says [something], and not in the suffering of one who
has been wronged,3580
3580
Or, “persecuted;” for ἀδικουμένου
(Lowth) and διωκομένου
(Potter and Latin translator) have been both suggested
instead of the reading of the text, διακονουμένου.
he will neither lie nor commit perjury so as to wrong the Deity, knowing
that it by nature is incapable of being harmed. Nor yet will he lie or
commit any transgression, for the sake of the neighbour whom he has
learned to love, though he be not on terms of intimacy. Much more,
consequently, will he not lie or perjure himself on his own account,
since he never with his will can be found doing wrong to himself.
But he does not even swear, preferring
to make averment, in affirmation by “yea,”
and in denial by “nay.” For it is an oath
to swear, or to produce3581
3581προσφέρεσθαι
and προφέρεσθαι
are both found here.
anything from the mind in the way of
confirmation in the shape of an oath. It suffices, then, with him, to add
to an affirmation or denial the expression “I say truly,” for
confirmation to those who do not perceive the certainty of his answer. For
he ought, I think, to maintain a life calculated to inspire confidence
towards those without, so that an oath may not even be asked; and towards
himself and those with whom he associates3582
3583 [Our Lord answered when adjured by the magistrate;
but Christians objected to all extra-judicial oaths, their whole life
being sworn to truth.]
He, then, that does not even swear
will be far from perjuring himself. And he who does not transgress in
what is ratified by compacts, will never swear; since the ratification
of the violation and of the fulfilment is by actions; as certainly lying
and perjury in affirming and swearing are contrary to duty. But he who
lives justly, transgressing in none of his duties, when the judgment of
truth is scrutinized, swears truth by his acts. Accordingly, testimony
by the tongue is in his case superfluous.
Therefore, persuaded always that God is everywhere,
and fearing not to speak the truth, and knowing that it is unworthy of
him to lie, he is satisfied with the divine consciousness and his own
alone3584
3584 [This must be
noted, because our author seems to tolerate a departure from stricttruth in the next chapter.]
And so he lies not, nor does
aught contrary to his compacts. And so he swears not even when asked
for his oath; nor does he
ever deny, so as to speak falsehood,
though he should die by tortures.
