Clement of Alexandria · a new plain-English translation from the original language
Since the tradition is not common and open to all, at least for one who has perceived the majesty of the Word, one must therefore conceal the wisdom spoken in a mystery, which the Son of God taught. Indeed, even the prophet Isaiah has his tongue purified by fire, so as to be able to speak of the vision, and it is fitting that we purify not merely the tongue but the ears as well, if indeed we are striving to share in the truth. These considerations have restrained my hand from writing, and even at this point I remain wary, as he says, of throwing pearls to swine, lest they trample them underfoot and turn and tear you to pieces. For it is a difficult thing to display words that are truly pure and radiant concerning the true light to hearers who are swinish and uneducated; for there are scarcely any sayings more laughable to the many than these, nor again more wondrous and inspiring to those of good natural capacity.
But the man of mere nature does not welcome what belongs to the Spirit of God, since it is folly in his eyes. And the wise withhold from their mouth what they weigh among themselves in council. But what has reached your ear, the Lord declares, announce from the rooftops — bidding us to receive the hidden traditions of true knowledge as interpreted in a lofty and exceptional manner, and just as we heard in the ear, so also to hand them down to those to whom it is fitting, not commanding that what has been spoken to them in parables be given out indiscriminately to all. But the outline of these notes is in truth such that the truth it contains is sown scattered and dispersed here and there, so that it might escape the notice of those seed-gathering jackdaws. But when it meets with a good farmer, each of the seeds will spring up and reveal the wheat.
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