Philonis Judaei Paralipomena Armena

And they never lose their leaves. But he did not call the fruit noble, but beautiful, philosophically speaking; so that men might use foods not only for pleasure but also for utility. Utility is the flow and the dripping of the good.

What is the tree of life, and why is it in the middle of the garden?

X. Some believed that these are corporeal 1 and death-bearing plants, and thus causes of life and immortality. Because they say that life and death are opposed to each other, and some of the plants are destructive, and of necessity, there will be salvation (from others). But they do not know if this is sound; for generation, as the opinion of the wise holds, is the beginning of corruption. But perhaps these things were spoken allegorically. For some say that the tree of life is the earth, for it produces everything for the use of life, both for humans and for all others. For this reason, He designated the middle place for this plant; and the middle of everything is the earth. And some say that it is the tree of life among the seven circles which are in the heaven. And some say it is the sun, because it is in the middle of the planets and is the cause of the times, by means of which everything is born. And some have called the tree of life the leadership of the soul; for it makes the sense 5 sinewy and firm, bringing its activity toward its own eye, and into the commonality of the parts of the body. But...

and never be destitute of leaves. He did not say the fruit was so beautiful, but good: philosophically, indeed, so that men might use foods not only for delectation, but also for utility: utility, however, is the flow and distillation of the good.

What is the tree of life, and why in the middle of the paradise?

X. Some have believed that these are true corporeal 1 plants and death-bearing, and similarly also causes of life and immortality: because, they say, life and death are opposed to each other; and because some of the plants are found to be destructive, of necessity there will be salvation (from other plants). But they do not know if this be sound 2: for generation, as the sentence of the wise holds, is the beginning of corruption. But perhaps these things were uttered allegorically. For some say the tree of life is the earth, because it produces everything for the use of life, as much for men as for all other things; wherefore He destined the middle place for this plant: the middle of the universe, however, is the earth. There are others who assert that the tree of life was called the middle among the seven circles of heaven 3. Some, indeed, the sun, because it is almost the middle 4 between the planets, and the cause of the (four) seasons, through which all things are born. Some finally have called the tree of life the direction of the soul: for this makes the sense 5 sinewy and solid for the act convenient to itself, and the commonality of the parts of the body 6. But...

1. The word "corporeal" is missing in manuscript C. 2. Or thus: if this second thing be healthy, they are ignorant. But the whole passage is obscure. 3. From the Gloss: "Ex septem zonis mediam... dum enim Sol per eam pergit, vitam facit universis" (Examine the middle of the seven zones... for while the Sun passes through it, it brings life to all). 4. Manuscript C in the margin: "tres" (instead of "fere" / "almost," or according to something). 5. Manuscript C has more: "and in the growth..." 6. From the Gloss: "Corporis pars est cor, in quo mens habitare dicitur secundum aliquos" (The heart is a part of the body, in which the mind is said to dwell according to some).