To Autolycus 2.38

And what does it matter whether they came last or first? At any rate they too spoke in agreement with the prophets. About the conflagration, the prophet Malachi foretold: “See, the day of the Lord is coming like a burning furnace, and it will set all the ungodly ablaze.” And Isaiah: “For the wrath of God will come like hail driven down with violence, and like water rushing down a ravine.” So the Sibyl and the other prophets, and indeed the poets and philosophers too, have made plain the truth about righteousness, judgment, and punishment; and also about providence, that God cares not only for us who are living but also for the dead, though they said it unwillingly, since they were convicted by the truth. Among the prophets, Solomon said of the dead: “There will be healing for the flesh and care for the bones.” David says the same: “The bones that have been humbled will rejoice.” In agreement with these Timocles too said: “To the dead, God in his kindness is mercy.” So the writers, having spoken of a multitude of gods, came down to the sole sovereignty of God; speaking of there being no providence, they spoke of providence; asserting that there is no judgment, they confessed that there will be a judgment; and those who denied that there is perception after death confessed that there is. Homer, having said, “The soul flew off like a dream and is gone,” says elsewhere, “The soul flew from his limbs and went down to Hades,” and again, “Bury me as quickly as you can, that I may pass the gates of Hades.” As for the other writers you have read, I think you know well how they spoke. All these things will be understood by anyone who seeks the wisdom of God and pleases him through faith, righteousness, and good works. For one of the prophets we mentioned, called Hosea, said: “Who is wise and will understand these things, discerning and will know them? For the ways of the Lord are straight, and the righteous will walk in them, but the ungodly will stumble in them.” The lover of learning must love to learn. So try to meet with me more often, so that by hearing the living voice you may learn the truth precisely.