...The most important statement on this question is the passage in De doctrina Christiana (2. 440. 60) : Just as the Egyptians had not only idols and grave...clothing which the Israelites took with them secretly as they fled, as if to put them to a better use. They did not do this on their authority, but at God's...

...Doctrine, Augustine builds a scriptural precedent to defend Christian borrowing from classical learning: Just as the Egyptians had not only idols and grave...silver and clothing which the Israelites took with them when they fled, as if to put them to a better use. ... In the same way all the teachings of the pagans...

...between 396 and 426(, Augustine used this figure to promote the conscientious use of pagan philosophy: Just as the Egyptians had not only idols and grave...ornaments of gold and silver and clothing which the Istaelites took with them secretly when they fled, as if to put them to better use. ilL x 1.60( Augustine...

...accommodated to our faith, should not be feared." Rather they should be "converted" to Christian use. Just as the Egyptians had not only idols and grave burdens which the people of lsrael detested and avoided, so also they had vases and ornaments of gold and silver and clothing which...

...as from unjust possessors and converted to our use. Just as the Egyptians had not only idols . . . which the people of Israel detested and avoided, so...if to put them to a better use. ... In the same way all the teachings of the pagans contain not only simulated and superstitious imaginings . . . which...

...rather, what they have said should be taken from them as from unjust possessors and converted to our use. Just as the Egyptians had not only idols and grave...secretly when they fled, as if to put them to a better use.17 Philosophers after Augustine no longer had any qualms about incorporating elements of classical...

...(1953; reprint, New York: Harper and Row, 1971), i: 133-40. 30. See Augustine, Of Christian Doctrine: "Just as the Egyptians had not only idols and grave...silver and clothing which the Israelites took with them when they fled, as if to put them to a better use. ... In the same way, all the teachings of the pagans...

...also they had vases and ornaments of gold and silver and clothing which the Israelites took with them when they fled, as if to put them to a better use. ... In the same way, all the teachings of the pagans contain not only simulated and superstitious imaginings and grave burdens...