Justin Martyr Quotes
Justin Martyr was an early Christian apologist, the first Christian author known to have engaged Greek philosophy as a Christian. Born in Samaria, he sought wisdom among the Stoics, Peripatetics, Pythagoreans, and Platonists before converting to Christianity, which he came to regard as the true philosophy. The quotes below are attributed to Justin Martyr, organized by topic.
Browse Justin Martyr by topic
Justin Martyr on Freedom
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“But yet, since He knew that it would be good, He created both angels and men free to do that which is righteous, and He appointed periods of time during which He knew it would be good for them to have the exercise of free-will; and because He likewise knew it would be good, He made general and particular judgments; each one’s freedom of will, however, being guarded.”
Dialogue with Trypho, chapter CII. In ANF1, that is, Roberts A, Donaldson J and Coxe AC (1885) Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol 1 . [Cf chapter LXXXVIII.]
Justin Martyr on God
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Attributed to Justin Martyr:
“Christianity is the true philosophy.”
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Attributed to Justin Martyr:
“He who lives by reason is a Christian, even if he is called an atheist.”
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Attributed to Justin Martyr:
“Reason is the seed of the divine Word in every man.”
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“...we who valued above all things the acquisition of wealth and possessions, now bring what we have into a common stock, and communicate to every one in need; we who hated and destroyed one another, and on account of their different manners would not live with men of a different tribe, now, since the coming of Christ, live familiarly with them, and pray for our enemies, and endeavour to persuade those who hate us unjustly to live conformably to the good precepts of Christ, to the end that they may become partakers with us of the same joyful hope of a reward from God the ruler of all.”
First Apology, chap. xiv (trans. Marcus Dods )
Justin Martyr on Knowledge
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“First Apology, chap. xiv (trans. Marcus Dods )”
...we who valued above all things the acquisition of wealth and possessions, now bring what we have into a common stock, and communicate to every one in need; we who hated and destroyed one another, and on account of their different manners would not live with men of a different tribe, now, since the coming of Christ, live familiarly with them, and pray for our enemies, and endeavour to persuade t -
“If, therefore, any one makes the accusation, and furnishes proof that the said men [Christians] do anything contrary to the laws, you shall adjudge punishments in proportion to the offences. And this, by Hercules, you shall give special heed to, that if any man shall, through mere calumny, bring an accusation against any of these persons [Christians], you shall award to him more severe punishments in proportion to his wickedness.”
The first apology of Justin, chapter LXVIII. In ANF1, that is, Roberts A, Donaldson J and Coxe AC (1885) Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol 1 . [Justin quotes from a letter of c122AD from the Emperor Hadrian to Minucius Fundanus. ANF1 footnote: "Generally credited as genuine."] -
“The first apology of Justin, chapter LXVIII. In ANF1, that is, Roberts A, Donaldson J and Coxe AC (1885) Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol 1 . [Justin quotes from a letter of c122AD from the Emperor Hadrian to Minucius Fundanus. ANF1 footnote: "Generally credited as genuine."]”
If, therefore, any one makes the accusation, and furnishes proof that the said men [Christians] do anything contrary to the laws, you shall adjudge punishments in proportion to the offences. And this, by Hercules, you shall give special heed to, that if any man shall, through mere calumny, bring an accusation against any of these persons [Christians], you shall award to him more severe punishments -
“Dialogue with Trypho, chapter CII. In ANF1, that is, Roberts A, Donaldson J and Coxe AC (1885) Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol 1 . [Cf chapter LXXXVIII.]”
But yet, since He knew that it would be good, He created both angels and men free to do that which is righteous, and He appointed periods of time during which He knew it would be good for them to have the exercise of free-will; and because He likewise knew it would be good, He made general and particular judgments; each one’s freedom of will, however, being guarded.
Justin Martyr on Life
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“The demons have always effected that all those who ever so little strived to live by logos and shun vice be hated.”
Second Apology, in Readings in World Christian History (2013), p. 40
Justin Martyr on Nature
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“Virtue, who was of squalid look and dress, said, if you obey me you will adorn yourself not with ornament nor beauty that passes away and perishes, but with everlasting and precious graces. And we are persuaded that everyone who flees from what is superficially good and follows what is reckoned hard and foolish finds happiness awaiting him. For Vice, veiling her actions in the beauties which prope”
Second Apology, in Readings in World Christian History (2013), p. 42
Justin Martyr on Truth
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Attributed to Justin Martyr:
“Whatever has been spoken truly belongs to us Christians.”
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Attributed to Justin Martyr:
“Those who lived in accordance with reason are Christians, even if they were called atheists, like Socrates.”
Justin Martyr on Virtue
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“Virtue, who was of squalid look and dress, said, if you obey me you will adorn yourself not with ornament nor beauty that passes away and perishes, but with everlasting and precious graces. And we are persuaded that everyone who flees from what is superficially good and follows what is reckoned hard and foolish finds happiness awaiting him. For Vice, veiling her actions in the beauties which properly belong to Virtue and are genuine, enslaves groveling people.”
Second Apology, in Readings in World Christian History (2013), p. 42