Works of Philo of Alexandria

Philo — Works Vol. I, Yonge — Section 102

XVIII. But the tree of life is that most general virtue which some people call goodness ; from which the particular virtues are derived, and of which they are composed. And it is on this account that it is placed in the centre of the Paradise; having the most comprehensive place of all, in order that, like a king, it may be guarded by the trees on each side of it. But some say that it is the heart that is meant by the tree of life ; since that is the cause of life, and since that has its position in the middle of the body, as being, according to them, the dominant part of the body. But these men ought to be made aware that they are expounding a doctrine which has more reference to medical than to natural science. But we, as has been said ON THE ALLEGORIES OF THE SACRED LAWS. 67 before, affirm that by the tree of life is meant the most genera, virtue. And of this tree Moses expressly says, that it is placed in the middle of the paradise ; bnt as to the other tree, that namely of the knowledge of good and evil, he has not specified whether it is within or outside of the Paradise ; but after he has used the following expression, " and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil," he says no more, not mentioning where it is placed, in order that any one who is uninitiated in the principles of natural philosophy, may not be made to marvel at his know- ledge.