53. Since this, then, is the
case, we do nothing out of place or foolish in believing that the souls
of men are of a neutral character, inasmuch as they have been produced
by secondary beings,37723772 made subject to the law of death,
and are of little strength, and that perishable; and that
they are gifted with immortality, if37733773 they rest their hope of so great a
gift on God Supreme, who alone has power to grant such
blessings, by putting away corruption. But this, you
say, we are stupid in believing. What is that to
you? In so believing, we act most absurdly, sillily.
In what do we injure you, or what wrong do we do or inflict upon you,
if we trust that Almighty God will take care of us when we
leave37743774 our bodies,
and from the jaws of hell, as is said, deliver us?