Quote in context
Justin Martyr on truth outside the Church
Justin Martyr · Second Apology 13
“Whatever has been said well by anyone belongs to us Christians.”
Plain English
Justin is arguing that the divine Logos has left traces of truth even among pagan philosophers. Christians can recognize truth without surrendering the gospel.
Why it matters
This became a foundational Christian argument for using philosophy, literature, and learning without treating them as ultimate.
Who said it
Justin Martyr
c. 100 – c. 165 · Born in Flavia Neapolis, Samaria · Palestine
Justin is the first Christian who looked at Greek philosophy and said 'this is ours too.' Before him, Christians wrote to other Christians. Justin wrote to the Roman emperor explaining why a man who studied Plato and Stoicism for years became a follower of Jesus. That move — engaging the surrounding intellectual culture rather than just denouncing it — is the founding move of every Christian university, every C.S. Lewis-style apologist, every theologian who takes secular thinkers seriously. He died for the experiment.
Book of the day
Ecclesiastical History
Eusebius of CaesareaA reading pick tied to today's figure, quote, era, or event. The ancient source behind a huge amount of what we know about bishops, martyrs, succession lists, and early controversies.
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