Philo: On Joseph from the Ancient Writings of The Set-Apart Bible. Read free with the Sacred Names (Yahuah, Yahshua, Elohim) and audio narration.
1 There are three different modes by which we proceed owards the most excellent end, namely, instruction, nature, md practice. There are also three persons, the oldest of lie wise men who in the account given to us by Moses lerive three names from these modes, whose lives I have iow discussed, having examined the man who arrived at exel lence in consequence of instruction, and him who was ..elf-taught, and him who attained to the proposed end by )ractice. Accordingly, proceeding in regular order, I will iow describe the life of the man occupied in civil affairs. Ind again, Moses has given us one of the patriachs as delving his name from this kind ©f life, in which he had been mmersed from his earliest youth. TsTo\v, this man began from the time he was seventeen (ears of age to be occupied with the consideration of the business of a shepherd, which corresponds to political business. On which account I think it is that the race of poets a3 been accustomed to call kings the shepherds of the leople ; for he who is skilful in the business of a shepherd ill probably be also a most excellent king, having derived istruction in those matters which are deserving of inferior ttention here to superintend a nock of those most excellent f all animals, namely, of men. And just as attention to natters of hunting is indispensable to the man who is about p conduct a war or to govern an army, so in the same banner those who hope to have the government of a city ill find the business of a shepherd very closely connected ith them, since that is as it were a sort of prelude to any ind of government. Therefore, as this man's father perived in his son a very noble ability, and too great to be •ft in the obscurity of a private station, he admired him, and Htivated his talent, and loved him more than his other )ns ; because, too, he was the son of his old age, which last uise is one of the strongest incentives to affection possible. 454 rniLO jud^us. And like a man fond of virtue, he cherished and kindled the natural good disposition of his son by excessive and most diligent care and attention, in order that it might not only not be smothered, but might shine forth more brilliantly.