Philosophy is knowledge of things which are in so far as they
are, that is, a knowledge of the nature of things which have
being. And again, philosophy is knowledge of both divine and
human things, that is to say, of things both visible and
invisible. Philosophy, again, is a study of death, whether this
be voluntary of natural. For life is of two kinds, there being
the natural life by which we live and the voluntary one by which
we cling lovingly to this present life. Death, also, is of two
kinds: the one being natural, which is the seperation of soul
from body, whereas the other is the voluntary one by which we
disdain this present life and aspire to that which is to come.
Still again, philosophy is the making of one's self like God.
Now, we become like God in wisdom, which is to say, in the true
knowledge of good; and in justice, which is a fairness in
judgment without respect to persons; and in holiness, which is
to say, in goodness, which is superior to justice, being that by
which we do good to them that