De Sacrificiis Abelis Et Caini

The consequence of which conduct of his was that "Every shepherd of sheep is an abomination to the Egyptians." [*](Genesis xlvi. 34. ) For every man who loves his passions hates right reason as the governor and guide to good things; just as foolish children hate their tutors and teachers, and every one who reproves them or corrects them, or would lead them to virtue. But Moses says that he "will sacrifice the abominations of the Egyptians to God," [*]( Exodus viii. 2G. ) namely the virtues which are faultless and most becoming victims, which every foolish man abominates. So that very appropriately, Abel, who brought the best offerings to God, is called a shepherd; but he, who offered every thing to himself and to his own mind, is called a tiller of the earth, namely Cain. And what is meant by tilling the earth [*]( Genesis iv. 2. ) we have shown in our previous treatises.