על הגירת אברהם י״טOn the Migration of Abraham 19
א׳
1[106] To proceed then; the fifth gift is that which consists in simple being only, and it is mentioned after those which precede it not as being of less value than they, but as outtopping and over-passing them all. For what could be more perfect than to be by nature good and free from all feigning and pretence, and worthy of blessing?
ב׳
2[107] For he says “Thou shalt be one to be blessed” (Gen. 12:2), not only “one who has been blessed,” for the latter is reckoned by the standard of the opinions and report of the many; but the former by that of Him Who is in reality “blessed.”
ג׳
3[108] For as being praiseworthy differs for the better from being praised, and being blameworthy for the worse from being blamed, the one pair expressing an inherent character, and the other nothing more than men’s opinion of us; and nature that cannot lie is a more sure foundation than opinion; so being blessed by men, which we have found to be an introduction into blessing by the avenue of repute, is inferior to natural worthiness of blessing, even though that finds no expression on human lips; and it is this which is celebrated in the sacred oracles as “blessed.”