The Writings
HomeThe WritingsText
Sources & method

Source basis: Each hosted writing names its date, translator, source link, and manuscript survival notes where available. Sources

Current roomText
Sources & method

Source basis: Each hosted writing names its date, translator, source link, and manuscript survival notes where available. Sources

Worlds

The library

Clement of Alexandria: The Instructor

William Wilson; ANF02 (1885)

Readable historical edition

Books I–III, including the closing hymn, with historical notes.

Acquired 2026-09-26; raw response hash and extraction scope recorded in scripts/early/sources/acquisitions.json.

Start reading →

Search this edition or source record

Edition and sources

Edition / translator
William Wilson; ANF02 (1885)
Edition date
1885
Ancient composition
Ancient composition dates and authorship require separate evidence; the translation date is not the date of the ancient work.
Language of acquired text
English
Public access
Reviewed reusable edition; attribution retained and website commentary excluded.
Rights and provenance record

Host only the historical edition text and historical notes marked Public Domain in the individual XML DC.Rights. Exclude CCEL modern descriptions, covers and website content, which have separate rights.

Acquired source rights statement: Public Domain

Source SHA-256: 74a9d7990d137f2f43eacb18c51bc2f799bcb1e69ad47c2011ae05c693a5d5ad

Work: clement-alexandria-instructor · edition: clement-alexandria-instructor-2026-acquisition. Reviewed 14 September 2026.

Contents

Headings and locators follow this edition. Large sections continue across labelled reading parts. Commentary is identified separately.

Book I
  1. Book I — Chapter I. The Office of the Instructor. · Translated text
  2. Book I — Chapter II.—Our Instructor’s Treatment of Our Sins. · Translated text
  3. Book I — Chapter III.—The Philanthropy of the Instructor. · Translated text
  4. Book I — Chapter IV.—Men and Women Alike Under the Instructor’s Charge. · Translated text
  5. Book I — Chapter V.—All Who Walk According to Truth are Children of God. · Translated text
  6. Book I — Chapter V.—All Who Walk According to Truth are Children of God. (part 2) · Translated text
  7. Book I — Chapter VI.—The Name Children Does Not Imply Instruction in Elementary Principles. · Translated text
  8. Book I — Chapter VI.—The Name Children Does Not Imply Instruction in Elementary Principles. (part 2) · Translated text
  9. Book I — Chapter VI.—The Name Children Does Not Imply Instruction in Elementary Principles. (part 3) · Translated text
  10. Book I — Chapter VII.—Who the Instructor Is, and Respecting His Instruction. · Translated text
  11. Book I — Chapter VIII.—Against Those Who Think that What is Just is Not Good. · Translated text
  12. Book I — Chapter VIII.—Against Those Who Think that What is Just is Not Good. (part 2) · Translated text
  13. Book I — Chapter IX.—That It is the Prerogative of the Same Power to Be Beneficent and to Punish Justly. Also the Manner of the Instruction of the Logos. · Translated text
  14. Book I — Chapter IX.—That It is the Prerogative of the Same Power to Be Beneficent and to Punish Justly. Also the Manner of the Instruction of the Logos. (part 2) · Translated text
  15. Book I — Chapter X.—That the Same God, by the Same Word, Restrains from Sin by Threatening, and Saves Humanity by Exhorting. · Translated text
  16. Book I — Chapter XI.—That the Word Instructed by the Law and the Prophets. · Translated text
  17. Book I — Chapter XII.—The Instructor Characterized by the Severity and Benignity of Paternal Affection. · Translated text
  18. Book I — Chapter XIII.—Virtue Rational, Sin Irrational. · Translated text
Book II.
  1. Book II. — Chap. I.—On Eating. · Translated text
  2. Book II. — Chap. I.—On Eating. (part 2) · Translated text
  3. Book II. — Chapter II.—On Drinking. · Translated text
  4. Book II. — Chapter II.—On Drinking. (part 2) · Translated text
  5. Book II. — Chapter III.—On Costly Vessels. · Translated text
  6. Book II. — Chapter IV.—How to Conduct Ourselves at Feasts. · Translated text
  7. Book II. — Chapter V.—On Laughter. · Translated text
  8. Book II. — Chapter VI.—On Filthy Speaking. · Translated text
  9. Book II. — Chapter VII.—Directions for Those Who Live Together. · Translated text
  10. Book II. — Chapter VIII.—On the Use of Ointments and Crowns. · Translated text
  11. Book II. — Chapter VIII.—On the Use of Ointments and Crowns. (part 2) · Translated text
  12. Book II. — Chap. IX.—On Sleep. · Translated text
  13. Book II. — Chapter X.—Quænam de Procreatione Liberorum Tractanda Sint. · Translated text
  14. Book II. — Chapter X.—Quænam de Procreatione Liberorum Tractanda Sint. (part 2) · Translated text
  15. Book II. — Chapter XI.—On Clothes. · Translated text
  16. Book II. — Chapter XI.—On Clothes. (part 2) · Translated text
  17. Book II. — Chap. XII.—On Shoes. · Translated text
  18. Book II. — Chapter XIII—Against Excessive Fondness for Jewels and Gold Ornaments. · Translated text
Book III.
  1. Book III. — Chapter I.—On the True Beauty. · Translated text
  2. Book III. — Chapter II.—Against Embellishing the Body. · Translated text
  3. Book III. — Chapter II.—Against Embellishing the Body. (part 2) · Translated text
  4. Book III. — Chapter III.—Against Men Who Embellish Themselves. · Translated text
  5. Book III. — Chapter III.—Against Men Who Embellish Themselves. (part 2) · Translated text
  6. Book III. — Chapter IV.—With Whom We are to Associate. · Translated text
  7. Book III. — Chapter V.—Behaviour in the Baths. · Translated text
  8. Book III. — Chapter VI.—The Christian Alone Rich. · Translated text
  9. Book III. — Chapter VII.—Frugality a Good Provision for the Christian. · Translated text
  10. Book III. — Chapter VIII.—Similitudes and Examples a Most Important Part of Right Instruction. · Translated text
  11. Book III. — Chapter IX.—Why We are to Use the Bath. · Translated text
  12. Book III. — Chapter X.—The Exercises Suited to a Good Life. · Translated text
  13. Book III. — Chapter XI.—A Compendious View of the Christian Life. · Translated text
  14. Book III. — Clothes. · Translated text
  15. Book III. — Ear-rings. · Translated text
  16. Book III. — Finger-rings. · Translated text
  17. Book III. — The Hair. · Translated text
  18. Book III. — Painting the Face. · Translated text
  19. Book III. — Walking. · Translated text
  20. Book III. — The Model Maiden. · Translated text
  21. Book III. — Amusements and Associates. · Translated text
  22. Book III. — Public Spectacles. · Translated text
  23. Book III. — Religion in Ordinary Life. · Translated text
  24. Book III. — Going to Church. · Translated text
  25. Book III. — Out of Church. · Translated text
  26. Book III. — Love and the Kiss of Charity. · Translated text
  27. Book III. — The Government of the Eyes. · Translated text
  28. Book III. — Chapter XII.—Continuation: with Texts from Scripture. · Translated text
  29. Book III. — Chapter XII.—Continuation: with Texts from Scripture. (part 2) · Translated text
  30. Book III. — Prayer to the Pædagogus. · Translated text
  31. Book III. — A Hymn to Christ the Saviour. · Translated text
  32. Book III. — To the Pædagogus. · Translated text
  33. Book III. — Translator and historical edition notes · Edition commentary
  34. Book III. — Translator and historical edition notes (part 2) · Edition commentary
  35. Book III. — Translator and historical edition notes (part 3) · Edition commentary
  36. Book III. — Translator and historical edition notes (part 4) · Edition commentary