Concerning the Nature of Good, Against the Manichæans 29

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

29 That God is Not Defiled by Our Sins PL 42, 560

And yet, though all things that He established are in Him, those who sin do not defile Him, of whose wisdom it is said: "She touches all things by reason of her purity, and nothing defiled assails her." For it behooves us to believe that as God is incorruptible and unchangeable, so also is He consequently undefilable.

Peccatis nostris Deum non inquinari. Nec tamen, cum in Deo sint universa quae condidit, inquinant eum qui peccant, de cujus sapientia dicitur: Attingit autem omnia propter suam munditiam, et nihil inquinatum in eam incurrit . Oportet enim, ut sicut Deum incorruptibilem et incommutabilem, ita consequenter etiam incoinquinabilem credamus.

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).