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Did God make all men? It is surely plain to every man. How then are not all equal with respect to virtue and vice? Whence are the good and gentle and meek? Whence are the worthless and evil? For if these things do not require any purpose, but are of nature, how are they made different from each other? For if by nature all were bad, it would not be possible for any one to be good, but if good by nature, then no one would be bad.
… But if we should say that by nature the one is good, the other bad, which would not be reasonable, these things must be unchangeable, for the things of nature are unchangeable. No, listen. All mortals are also liable to suffering; and no one is free from suffering, even though he should strive without end. … But why did He make worthless men at all, when He might have made all men good? Whence then are the evil things? he says.
Ask yourself; for it is my part to show they are not of nature, nor from God … but from willing and not willing. … It is from ourselves … for evil is nothing else than disobedience to God …
+St. John Chrysostom: Homily LIX on Matthew XVIII
