Why did Philo Judaeus consider repentance a virtue?

In his ethical theory, Philo Judaeus diverged from the prevailing views of other Greek philosophers, who generally regarded repentance as a weakness. Instead, Philo elevated repentance to the status of a virtue.1

This perspective was part of his broader effort to synthesize Jewish theology with Greek philosophical concepts. While he often utilized the terminology of schools like the Stoics, he maintained an original outlook that prioritized Jewish religious tradition. By framing repentance as a virtue, Philo underscored the importance of moral self-correction and the capacity for human change, which stood in contrast to the more rigid or deterministic views found in some strands of Greek thought.12