Children should take
over the paternal customs from their parents as part of
their inheritance, for they were reared on them, and lived
on them from their swaddling days, and they should not
neglect them merely because the tradition is not written.
The man who obeys the written laws is not, indeed, worthy of
praise, for he may be constrained thereto by fear of
punishment. But he who holds fast to the unwritten laws
gives proof of a voluntary goodness and is worthy of our
eulogy."
Clearly he is arguing here for the observance of the oral law, which
later was standardized in the Halakah.
In the other passage, which occurs in the philosophical book "On the
Migration of Abraham,"[167] he sets forth the reason of the authority
of the law with more argument, and controverts those who would
allegorize away the ordinances.
"To whom, then, God has granted both to be and to seem good,
he is truly happy and truly renowned. And we must have a
great care for reputation, as a matter of great importance
and of much value, for our social and bodily life. [By
reputation Philo means reputation of being loyal Jews. He is
addressing here an esoteric circle who, if they were lax,
would bring philosophy into disrepute.] And almost all can
secure it, who are well content not to disturb established
customs, but diligently preserve the constitution of their
nation.
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