Philonis Judaei Paralipomena Armena

For duality is the beginning of distance. Two, or one—that which is led according to it in particularity—to lead with uncorrupted and clear virtue, which is inseparable from evil. But where the good and the evil are mixed, they have the beginning of the mixture of death.

What is, "By death you shall die"?

XVI. The death of the worthy is the beginning of other life. For life is double. There is that which is with the body, which is corruptible; and there is that which is without the body, which is incorruptible. Therefore, only the evil one dies by death, and while he possessed the soul, he was already buried beforehand, as if he did not keep any spark of the truth of life in himself at all; and this is cowardice. But the righteous and worthy one does not die by death, but from a long-living one, he concludes in eternity (that is, he is brought into eternal life).

Why does he say, "It is not good for man to be alone; let us make him a helper according to him"?

XVII. Through this, he indicates community. And not with everyone, but with those who wish to help (that is, to benefit) and in turn wish to receive help, even if they are not able. For love does not consist in utility as much as in a stable character of harmonious union, so that everyone...

one is like the other according to the same philosophy, practicing unblemished and clear virtue, which is free of malice. But where the good and the evil are mixed, they have the beginning of the mixture of death.

1 "Are mixed," read or understand "were mixed," or "may be mixed." 2 See S. Ambrose, On Paradise, ch. IX, n. 44. 3 Thus I explain the reading of the B codex, where codex C reads a little differently: "he departs into a long eternal life." 4 "To help," as "to benefit," or rather "to benefit; to receive utility." Whence the Glossary: "He admonishes to dwell and unite, but not with everyone, but with those who benefit from each other, and bring utility to others, and wish to bring it, even if they cannot execute it by deed."