But we must pass from physics to ethics, which are clearer; for the discourse concerning these will follow after the treatise in hand. The Saviour Himself, then, plainly initiates us into the mysteries, according to the words of the tragedy: [2920] --
"Seeing those who see, he also gives the orgies."
And if you ask,
"These orgies, what is their nature?"
You will hear again:--
"It is forbidden to mortals uninitiated in the Bacchic rites to know."
And if any one will inquire curiously what they are, let him hear:--
"It is not lawful for thee to hear, but they are worth knowing;
The rites of the God detest him who practices impiety."
Now God, who is without beginning, is the perfect beginning of the universe, and the producer of the beginning. As, then, He is being, He is the first principle of the department of action, as He is good, of morals; as He is mind, on the other hand, He is the first principle of reasoning and of judgment. Whence also He alone is Teacher, who is the only Son of the Most High Father, the Instructor of men.
Clement of Alexandria in Print
