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444. This religion taught to her children what men have only been able to
discover by their greatest knowledge.
445. Original sin is foolishness to men, but it is admitted to be such. You
must not, then, reproach me for the want of reason in this doctrine, since I
admit it to be without reason. But this foolishness is wiser than all the
wisdom of men, sapientius est hominibus.[71] For without this, what can we
say that man is? His whole state depends on this imperceptible point. And
how should it be perceived by his reason, since it is a thing against
reason, and since reason, far from finding it out by her own ways, is averse
to it when it is presented to her?
446. Of original sin. Ample tradition of original sin according to the Jews.
On the saying in Genesis 8:21: "The imagination of man's heart is evil from
his youth."
R. Moses Haddarschan: This evil leaven is placed in man from the time that
he is formed.
Massechet Succa: This evil leaven has seven names in Scripture. It is called
evil, the foreskin, uncleanness, an enemy, a scandal, a heart of stone, the
north wind; all this signifies the malignity which is concealed and
impressed in the heart of man.
Midrasch Tillim says the same thing and that God will deliver the good
nature of man from the evil.
This malignity is renewed every day against man, as it is written, Psalm
37:32: "The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him"; but God
will not abandon him. This malignity tries the heart of man in this life and
will accuse him in the other. All this is found in the Talmud.
Midrasch Tillim on Psalm 4:4: "Stand in awe and sin not." Stand in awe and
be afraid of your lust, and it will not lead you into sin. And on Psalm
36:1: "The wicked has said within his own heart: Let not the fear of God be
before me." That is to say that the malignity natural