The Greatest Gift of Free Will: PARADISO, Canto V, Lines 17 - 33

Beatrice begins the final part of her argument with the premise that the freedom of the will is the greatest gift given to angels and humans.

She then offers one out to her rather strict notion of ethical behavior—some vows may not be valid—and proceeds to claim that the will wills its own loss while making a vow.

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Here are the segments for this episode of WALKING WITH DANTE:

[01:33] My English translation of PARADISO, Canto V, Lines 17 - 33. If you'd like to read along or drop a comment about this episode, please scroll down this page.

[03:24] The greatest gift is free will--thus, evil is a moral reality, not a metaphysical or an ontological reality.

[09:17] The will wills its loss in a vow, an act of self-limitation (if God so agrees).

[13:51] You can't climb over the fence of your vow.

[16:16] The will may well be paramount--unless a poet gets involved.

[19:16] Rereading PARADISO, Canto V, lines 17 - 33.

My English translation of PARADISO, Canto V, Lines 17 - 33:

And like a guy who does not interrupt his speech,

She continued her holy discourse in this way:

“The greatest gift that God in his generosity

Gave while creating, the one most conformed

To his goodness and held in the highest regard,

“Was the will’s freedom—

With which all creatures who have an intellect,

All of them and they alone, are equipped.

“If you reason from this [premise], you will now perceive

The high value placed on vows, as long as they are made

So that God might consent when you consent.

“In this way, when a pact is made between God and a person,

This treasure, being such as I’ve said, is made

Into a solemn sacrifice—and this is accomplished by its own act.

“Thus, what then can you give back for its restitution?

If you believe you can use the good work you’ve offered up,

You want to do a good work with an ill-gotten gain. . . .”