Celsus in the next place, as if he were able to tell certain secrets
regarding the origin of evils, but chose rather to keep silence, and say
only what was suitable to the multitude, continues as follows: “It is
sufficient to say to the multitude regarding the origin of evils, that
they do not proceed from God, but cleave to matter, and dwell among
mortal things.” It is true, certainly, that evils do not proceed from
God; for according to Jeremiah, one of our prophets, it is certain that
“out of the mouth of the Most High proceedeth not evil and good.”[747]
But to maintain that matter, dwelling among mortal things, is the cause
of evils, is in our opinion not true. For it is the mind of each
individual which is the cause of the evil which arises in him, and this
is evil in the abstract;[748] while the actions which proceed from it
are wicked, and there is, to speak with accuracy, nothing else in our
view that is evil. I am aware, however, that this topic requires very
elaborate treatment, which (by the grace of God enlightening the mind)
may be successfully attempted by him who is deemed by God worthy to
attain the necessary knowledge on this subject.
Footnote 747:
Cf. Lam. iii. 38.
Footnote 748:
ἥτις ἐστὶ τὸ κακόν.