Quotes About Philosophy

Quotes about philosophy from throughout Christian History.

Clement of Alexandria, c. A.D. 190

But philosophy, it is said, was not sent by the Lord, but came stolen or given by a thief. It was then some power or angel that had learned something of the truth, but abode not in it, that inspired and taught these things. This did not occur without the Lord's knowledge, who knew before the constitution of each essence the issues of futurity, but it did occur without his prohibition. (Miscellanies I:17)

Tertullian, c. A.D. 210

Unhappy Aristotle! He invented dialectics for these [heretics], the art of building up and pulling down, an art so evasive in its propositions, so farsfetched in its conjectures, so harsh in its arguments, so productive of contentions! Embarrassing even to itself, retracting everything, and really conclusively settling nothing! From where do those fables and endless genealogies, unprofitable questions, and words that spread like a cancer spring? From all these, when the apostle would restrain us, he expressly names philosophy as the thing he would have us guard against. Writing to the Colossians, he says, "See that no one beguiles you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the traditions of men, and contrary to the wisdom of the Holy Spirit" [Col. 2:8]. (Prescription Against Heretics 6)

The apostle ... expressly names philosophy as that which he would have us be on our guard against. Writing to the Colossians, he says, "See that no one beguile you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, and contrary to the wisdom of the Holy Ghost" [Col. 2:8, with the last phrase adjusted a little through a memory lapse or a purposeful adjustment of his own]. He had been at Athens, and had in his interviews become acquainted with that human wisdom which pretends to know the truth while it only corrupts it and is itself divided into its own manifold heresies by the variety of its mutually repugnant sects.
   What indeed has Athens to do with Jerusalem? What concord is there between the Academy and the Church? What between heretics and Christians?
   Our instruction comes from "the porch of Solomon," who had himself taught that "the Lord should be sought in simplicity of heart" [Wisdom of Solomon 1:1]. Away with all attempts to produce a mottled Christianity of Stoic, Platonic, and dialectic composition! We want no curious disputation after possessing Christ Jesus, no inquisition after enjoying the gospel! With our faith, we desire no further belief. (Prescription Against Heretics 6)

Socrates Scholasticus, c. A.D. 450

Greek literature certainly was never recognized either by Christ or his apostles as divinely inspired, nor on the other hand was it wholly rejected as pernicious. And this they did, I conceive, not inconsiderately. For there were many philosophers among the Greeks who were not far from the knowledge of God ... By not forbidding the study of the learned works of the Greeks, they left it to the discretion of those who wished to do so.
     This is our first argument in defense of the position we took. Another may be put this way: The divinely inspired Scriptures undoubtedly inculcate doctrines that are both admirable in themselves and heavenly in their character: they also eminently tend to produce piety and integrity of life in those who are guided by their precepts, pointing out a walk of faith which is highly approved by God. But they do not instruct us in the art of reasoning, by means of which we may be enabled successfully to resist those who oppose the truth. Besides adversaries are most easily foiled, when we can use their own weapons against them.
     Should any one imagine that in making these assertions we wrest the Scriptures from their legitimate construction, let it be remembered that the apostle not only does not forbid our being instructed in Greek learning, but that he himself seems by no means to have neglected it, inasmuch as he knows many of the sayings of the Greeks. From where did he get the saying, "The Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, slow-bellies," but from a perusal of the oracles of Epimenides, the Cretan initiator? Or how would he have known " For we are also his offspring" had he not been acquainted with The Phenomena of Aratus the astronomer? Again, this sentence, "Bad company corrupt good manners," is a sufficient proof that he was conversant with the tragedies of Euripides. (Ecclesiastical History of Socrates Scholasticus III:16)