על הגירת אברהם י״אOn the Migration of Abraham 11
א׳
1But who are they that are worthy to obtain these? Is it not clear that all the lovers of wisdom and knowledge are so?
ב׳
2[58] For these are the wise and understanding people which was spoken of, each member of which is with good reason great, since he reaches out after great things; and after one most eagerly, never to be severed from God, the supremely Great, but without dismay stedfastly to abide His approach as He draws near.
ג׳
3[59] This is the defining mark of the people that is “great,” to draw nigh to God, or to be that “to which God draws nigh.”
ד׳
4Now the world and the wise man, the world-citizen, is filled full of good things many and great, but the remaining mass of men experiences evil things in greater number, but fewer good things; for in the medley and confusion of human life that which is fair and goodly is rare and scanty.
ה׳
5[60] And for this reason the sacred oracles contain this utterance: “Not because ye are numerous beyond all the nations did the Lord prefer and choose you out: for ye surpass all the nations in fewness; but because the Lord loveth you” (Deut. 7:7 f.). For were a man to desire to distribute, as it were into nations, the crowd contained in a single soul, many disorderly companies would he find, commanded by pleasures or desires or griefs or fears or again by follies and wrongdoings, and the nearest kinsfolk of these, but one only well-ordered, of which right reason is the captain.
ו׳
6[61] Now, in the judgement of men the multitude of the unjust is preferred to the single just; but in God’s judgement the few good to the myriad unjust; and He charges the just never to agree with such a multitude: for He says “Thou shalt not be with many to engage in wickedness” (Ex. 23:2). Should we then be so with few? Nay, not with any bad man: and the bad man, one though he be, is made manifold by wickednesses, and to range oneself by his side is a very great disaster: on the contrary it behoves us to shew a vigour free from terror and resist him and be at war with him.
ז׳
7[62] For it says “If thou go out to war against thine enemies and see horse and rider,” that is passion, the insolent, the restive, the unruly, and the passion-loving mind mounted on it, “and a people more numerous than thou art,” even the devoted followers of these leaders advancing in serried mass “thou shalt not be afraid of them.” One as thou art thou shalt have One fighting on thy side, even the Ruler of all, as it says, “for the Lord Thy God is with thee” (Deut. 20:1).
ח׳
8[63] This companionship brings wars to an end, builds up peace, overthrows the host of evil things to which we grow accustomed, rescues the scanty band of those beloved of God, every loyal adherent of which loathes and hates the battalions of the earth-bound.