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JOSEPH: In every case, as we said, we must look not at the progress of
the work but at the intention of the worker, nor must we inquire to begin
with what a man has done, but with what purpose, so that we may find that
some have been condemned for those deeds from which good has afterwards
arisen, and on the other hand that some have arrived by means of acts in
themselves reprehensible at the height of righteousness. And in the case of
the former the good result of their actions was of no avail to them as they
took the matter in and with an evil purpose, and wanted to bring about--not
the good which actually resulted, but something of the opposite character;
nor was the bad beginning injurious to the latter, as he put up with the
necessity of a blameworthy start; not out of disregard for God, or with the
purpose of doing wrong, but with an eye to a needful and holy end.
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