53. Since this, then, is the case, we do nothing out of place or foolish in believing that the souls of men are of a neutral character, inasmuch as they have been produced by secondary beings,534    Lit., “things not principal.” Orelli here quotes from Tertullian, de Anim., xxiii., a brief summary of Gnostic doctrines on these points, which he considers Arnobius to have followed throughout this discussion. made subject to the law of death, and are of little strength, and that perishable; and that they are gifted with immortality, if535    Siwas first inserted in LB., not being found in the ms., though demanded by the context. they rest their hope of so great a gift on God Supreme, who alone has power to grant such blessings, by putting away corruption. But this, you say, we are stupid in believing. What is that to you? In so believing, we act most absurdly, sillily. In what do we injure you, or what wrong do we do or inflict upon you, if we trust that Almighty God will take care of us when we leave536    Lit., “have begun to leave.” our bodies, and from the jaws of hell, as is said, deliver us?

LIII. Ergo cum haec ita sint, non absone neque inaniter credimus, mediae qualitatis esse animas hominum, utpote ab rebus non principalibus editas, juri subjectas mortis, parvarum et labilium virium: perpetuitate donari, si spem muneris tanti Deum ad principem conferant, cui soli potestas est talia corruptione exclusa largiri. Sed stulte istud credimus? Quid ad vos? Ineptissime, fatue. Ubi vobis nocemus, vel quam vobis facimus aut irrogamus injuriam, si omnipotentem confidimus Deum habiturum esse rationem nostri, cum abire a corporibus coeperimus, et ab orci faucibus, quemadmodum dicitur, vindicari?