Works of Philo of Alexandria

Philo — Works Vol. I, Yonge — Section 103

What then must we say? That this tree is both in the Paradise and also out of it. As to its essence, indeed, in it ; but as to its power, out of it. How so ? The dominant portion of us is capable of receiving everything, and resembles wax, which is capable of receiving every impression, whether good or bad. In reference to which fact, that supplanter Jacob makes a confession where he says, " all these things were made for me."* For the unspeakable formations and impressions of all the things in the universe, are all borne forward into, and comprehended by the soul, which is only one. When, there- fore that receives the impression of perfect virtue, it has become the tree of life ; but when it has received the impression of vice, it has then become the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and vice and all evil have been banished from the divine company. Therefore the dominant power which has received it is in the Paradise according to its essence ; for there is in it that characteristic of virtue, which is akin to the Paradise. But again, according to its power it is not in it, because the form of virtue is inconsistent with the divine operations ; and what I here say, any one may understand in this manner. At this moment, the dominant part is in my body, according to its essence, but according to its power it is in Italy, or Sicily, rhen it applies its consideration to those countries, and in leaven when it is contemplating the heaven. On which principle it often happens that some persons who are in pro- ine places, according to their essence, are in the most sacred places, thinking of those things which relate to virtue. And *ain, others who are in the temples of the gods, are profane their minds, from the fact of their minds receiving a change >r the worse, and evil impressions ; so that vice is neither in * Genesis xlii. 36. (58 PHILO JUD^US. the Paradise, nor not in it. For it is possible that it may be in it according to its essence, but it is not possible that it should be according to its power.