Concerning the Nature of Good, Against the Manichæans 14

sant'Agostino d'Ippona (354–430 d.C.) · De natura boni · PL 42, 551–572

14 Small Good Things in Comparison with Greater are Called by Contrary Names PL 42, 555

But in all these things, whatever are small are called by contrary names in comparison with greater things; as in the form of a man because the beauty is greater, the beauty of the ape in comparison with it is called deformity. And the imprudent are deceived, as if the former is good, and the latter evil, nor do they regard in the body of the ape its own fashion, the equality of members on both sides, the agreement of parts, the protection of safety, and other things which it would be tedious to enumerate.

Parva bona in majorum comparatione contrariis nominibus appellantur. Sed in his omnibus quaecumque parva sunt, in majorum comparatione contrariis nominibus appellantur: sicut in hominis forma quia major est pulchritudo, in ejus comparatione simiae pulchritudo deformitas dicitur: et fallit imprudentes, tanquam illud sit bonum, et hoc malum; nec intendunt in corpore simiae modum proprium, parilitatem ex utroque latere membrorum, concordiam partium, incolumitatis custodiam, et caetera, quae persequi longum est.

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).