Concerning the Nature of Good, Against the Manichæans 16

St Augustine of Hippo (AD 354–430) · De natura boni · PL 42, 551–572

16 Privations in Things are Fittingly Ordered by God PL 42, 556

Yet even these privations of things are so ordered in the universe of nature, that to those wisely considering they not unfittingly have their vicissitudes. For by not illuminating certain places and times, God has also made the darkness as fittingly as the day. For if we by restraining the voice fittingly interpose silence in speaking, how much more does He, as the perfect framer of all things, fittingly make privations of things? Whence also in the hymn of the three children, light and darkness alike praise God, that is, bring forth praise in the hearts of those who well consider.

Privationes in rebus decenter a Deo ordinatae. Quae tamen etiam privationes rerum sic ordinantur in universitate naturae, ut sapienter considerantibus non indecenter vices suas habeant. Nam et Deus certa loca et tempora non illuminando, tenebras fecit tam decenter quam dies. Si enim nos continendo vocem, decenter interponimus in loquendo silentium; quanto magis ille quarumdam rerum privationes decenter facit, sicut rerum omnium perfectus artifex? Unde et in hymno trium puerorum, etiam lux et tenebrae laudant Deum ; id est, ejus laudem in bene considerantium cordibus pariunt.

Philip Schaff (ed.), Buffalo/New York: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1886-1889. Public domain: English translation first published 1885-1900 (Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series). Latin: Migne, Patrologia Latina (1844-1855), public domain; transcription from Corpus Corporum (University of Zurich).