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Translated from the Greek original by Frederick Crombie.
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This Part: 128 Pages
Page 85
Chapter LIV.
But as in the words which I quoted from Celsus, which are a paraphrase from the Timaeus, certain expressions occur, such as, "God made nothing mortal, but immortal things alone, while mortal things are the works of others, and the soul is a work of God, but the nature of the body is different, and there is no difference between the body of a man and that of a bat, or of a worm, or of a frog; for the matter is the same, and their corruptible part alike,"--let us discuss these points for a little; and let us show that Celsus either does not disclose his Epicurean opinions, or, as might be said by one person, has exchanged them for better, or, as another might say, has nothing in common save the name, with Celsus, the Epicurean. For he ought, in giving expression to such opinions, and in proposing to contradict not only us, but the by no means obscure sect of philosophers who are the adherents of Zeno of Citium, to have proved that the bodies of animals are not the work of God, and that the great skill displayed in their construction did not proceed from the highest intelligence. And he ought also, with regard to the countless diversities of plants, which are regulated by an inherent, incomprehensible nature, [3929] and which have been created for the by no means despicable [3930] use of man in general, and of the animals which minister to man, whatever other reasons may be adduced for their existence, [3931] not only to have stated his opinion, but also to have shown us that it was no perfect intelligence which impressed these qualities upon the matter of plants.
[3929] hup' enuparchouses aphantastou phuseos dioikoumenon.
[3930] pros chreian ouk eukataphroneton.
[3931] hopos pote allos onton.
Reference address : https://ellopos.net/elpenor/greek-texts/fathers/origen/contra-celsum-2.asp?pg=85
