---
title: "On the Confusion of Languages"
author: "Philo of Alexandria"
translator: "C. D. Yonge"
languages: [en]
shelf: "Second Temple"
section: 16 of 16
url: https://scriptura.si/works/philo-tlg013-yonge-ogl/16/
cite: "Philo of Alexandria, tr. C. D. Yonge, On the Confusion of Languages, section 16. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/philo-tlg013-yonge-ogl/16/"
---

# On the Confusion of Languages

*Philo of Alexandria, tr. C. D. Yonge*

## 16. Section 195

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/philo-tlg013-yonge-ogl/16/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/philo-tlg013-yonge-ogl/16/#p-N

[¶0] For the Creator knew that it was desirable that each of these parts should not hear the voice of its neighbour, but that the parts of the soul should each exert its own peculiar faculties without confusion, for the advantage of living animals, and should, with the same object, be deprived of any power of exerting themselves in common, and that all the powers of vice should be brought to confusion and utter destruction, so that they might neither in confederacy, nor separately, be injurious to the better parts.

### Section 196

[¶2] On which account Moses tells us, "The Lord scattered them from thence;" which is equivalent to, he dispersed them, he put them to flight, he banished them, he destroyed them; for to scatter is sometimes done with a view to the production, and growth, and increase of other things; but there is another kind which has for its object overthrow and destruction: but God, the planter of the world, wishes to sow in every one excellence, but to scatter and drive from the world accursed impiety; that the disposition which hates virtue may at last desist from building up a city of wickedness, and a tower of impiety;

### Section 197

[¶4] for when these are put to the rout, then those who have long ago been banished by the tyranny of folly, now, at one proclamation, find themselves able to return to their own country. God having drawn up and confirmed the proclamation, as the scriptures show, in which it is expressly stated that, "Even though thy dispersion be from one end of heaven to the other end of heaven, he will bring thee together from thence." Deuteronomy xxx. 4.

### Section 198

[¶6] So that it is proper that the harmony of the virtues should be arranged and cherished by God, and that he should dissolve Deuteronomy xxx. 4. and destroy wickedness; and confusion is a name most appropriate to wickedness, of which every foolish man is a visible proof, having all his words, and intentions, and actions, incapable of standing an examination and destitute of steadiness.