E01033: Augustine of Hippo, in his treatise Against Faustus, argues that the superiority of virginity over marriage is proven by the fact that it was preached by *Paul (the Apostle, S00008) and chosen as her way of life by *Thekla (follower of Paul, S00092). Written in Latin in Hippo Regius (North Africa), c. 400.

Augustine of Hippo, Against Faustus 30.4

Augustine rejects Faustus' opinion that the conviction of the superiority of virginity over marriage comes from demons. He argues that it was the teaching of Paul the Apostle, especially to Thecla in Iconium. In this context he says what follows:

Num igitur et de Christo eadem dicere poteritis aut de apostolo Paulo, quem similiter ubique constat et uerbo semper praetulisse nuptis innuptas et id opere quoque ostendisse erga sanctissimam Theclam?

'But will you say the same of Christ, or of the Apostle Paul, who, we know, everywhere expressed the same preference for unmarried women to the married, and gave an example of it in the case of the most saintly Thecla?'

Text: Zycha 1891, 752. Translation: Stothert 1887.