The Second Apology

To ensure that no one accuses us, as some so-called philosophers do, of using grandiose threats by claiming that the wicked are punished in eternal fire, or that we encourage virtuous living out of fear rather than because it is intrinsically good and pleasant, I will briefly respond: if this is not true, then either God does not exist or, if He does, He does not care for humanity. In that case, neither virtue nor vice would matter, and, as we have previously mentioned, lawgivers would unjustly punish those who violate good commandments. But since these punishments are not unjust and their Father instructs them through the word to act as He does, those who align with them are not unjust. If someone objects that human laws vary and says that some regard a particular act as good while others consider it evil, and vice versa, they should listen to this. We understand that the wicked angels established laws that mirror their own wickedness, and people similar to them revel in these laws. The right Reason, when He appeared, showed that not all opinions or doctrines are good, but some are evil while others are good. Therefore, I will speak about these and similar matters to such individuals and, if necessary, will discuss them in greater detail. But for now, I will return to the original topic.