Against Celsus 6.1

In beginning this sixth book against Celsus's accusations against the Christians, holy Ambrose, we do not intend to contend in it against the things he sets out from philosophy, as someone might suppose. For Celsus has quoted a great many passages, chiefly from Plato, setting side by side with them those passages from the sacred writings that can impress even an intelligent man, and claiming that these things were said better among the Greeks, and without exaggerated claims and the profession that they come from God or the Son of God. We say, then, that if the aim of those who are ambassadors of the truth is to benefit as many as possible and, so far as they can, to bring to it out of love for mankind everyone whatever, not only the clever but also the foolish, and again not only Greeks but also barbarians (and it is a great mark of gentleness if one is able to convert even the most boorish and unlearned), it is plain that such a person must take care to use a style of speaking that is of common benefit and able to win over every hearer. But those who have bidden a long farewell to the unlearned as though they were slaves, unable to follow a train of thought set out in polished phrasing and ordered arrangement, and have cared only for those brought up in literature and learning, have confined what is meant for all into a very narrow and small compass.