Miscellanies 1.6.35

Hence we must not say that justice appears from the mere enactment of law, but must understand that the good of creation is rekindled by the commandment, the soul being trained by learning to choose willingly what is best. But as we say it is possible to be a believer even without letters, so we acknowledge that it is not possible to understand what is said in the faith without having learned. For to accept what is well said and not accept what is alien is produced not simply by faith, but by faith joined with learning. If ignorance is lack of education and learning, teaching implants the knowledge of things divine and human. But as it is possible to live rightly in poverty, so also in abundance; and we acknowledge that one may hunt virtue more easily and quickly with preliminary training, though it can be caught without it too, but even then by those who have learned and whose senses have been exercised. “For hatred,” says Solomon, “stirs up strife, but instruction guards the ways of life,” so that we may not be deceived or robbed by those who have practiced evil arts to harm their hearers. “Instruction without reproof goes astray,” it says; and the element of refutation must be present in order to repel the deceitful opinions of the sophists.