Philo

I think Philo was an optimist. He believed that “God loves to give, and freely bestows good things on all people, even the imperfect…That is why every soul he created has the seed of goodness in it.” I don’t think he had any proof that everyone had goodness in them, but he just liked to believe that everyone had goodness in them. I like to believe the same way. If you wait long enough, I think you’ll eventually see the goodness in everyone. But most people are pretty selfish and aren’t willing to spend time waiting to see the good in someone.

Philo says that “God alone… lives in eternal bliss. His nature is absolutely perfect, or rather, God is the height, the goal, and the limit of happiness. There is nothing outside himself that he needs, but he has given a share of his own beauty to all particular beings, from the fountain of beauty: himself.” Philo holds on to the belief that since God is good, every good thing comes from God. Then where do the bad things come from? And if God did make the bad things, then why did he make them? I think Adam and Eve should be blamed for the mosquitoes.

“According to our holy teacher Moses, the goal of wisdom is laughter and play—not the kind that one sees in little children… but the kind that is developed in those who have grown mature through both time and understanding.” I think once you mature and experience enough, you start to look at life and yourself in a different understanding, and through that different aspect, it’s easier to laugh at yourself and your own mistakes. And also when you live long enough, you begin to realize life is short, and to enjoy it and laugh often.