[80] Let us then speak next of those who are the enemies of these last, but have given due honour to both education and right reason, of whom those who attach themselves to one parent only were but halfhearted followers in virtue. This fourth class are valiant guardians of the laws which their father, right reason, has laid down, and faithful stewards of the customs which their mother, instruction, has introduced.
[81] Their father, right reason, has taught them to honour the Father of the all; their mother, instruction, has taught them not to make light of those principles which are laid down by convention and accepted everywhere.
[82] Consider the case of Jacob. The Man of Practice was now in the last bout of his exercises in virtue, about to exchange hearing for eyesight, words for deeds, and progress for perfection, since God in his bounty had willed to plant eyes in his understanding that he might see clearly what before he had grasped by hearing, for sight is more trustworthy than the ears. Then it was that the oracles rang out their proclamation, “Thy name shall not be called Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name, because thou hast been strong with God and mighty with men” (Gen. 32:28). Now Jacob is a name for learning and progress, gifts which depend upon the hearing; Israel for perfection, for the name expresses the vision of God.
[83] And what among all the blessings which the virtues give can be more perfect than the sight of the Absolutely Existent? He who has the sight of this blessing has his fair fame acknowledged in the eyes of both parents, for he has gained the strength which is in God and the power which avails among men.
[84] Good also, I think, is that saying in the Proverbs, “Let them provide things excellent in the sight of the Lord and men” (Prov. 3:4), since it is through both these that the acquisition of excellence is brought to its fullness. For if you have learnt to observe the laws of your father and not to reject the ordinances of your mother, you will not fear to say with pride, “For I too became a son obedient to my father and beloved before the face of my mother” (Prov. 4:3).