4. But, says my
opponent, it is not for this reason that we assign temples to the
gods as though we wished to ward off from them drenching storms
of rain, winds, showers, or the rays of the sun; but in order that we
may be able to see them in person and close at hand, to come near and
address them, and impart to them, when in a measure present, the
expressions of our reverent feelings. For if they are invoked
under the open heaven, and the canopy of ether, they hear nothing, I
suppose; and unless prayers are addressed to them near at hand,
they will stand deaf and immoveable as if nothing were said. And
yet we think that every god whatever—if only he has the power of
this name—should hear what every one said from every part of the
world, just as if he were present; nay, more, should foresee, without
waiting to be told4588
what every one conceived in his
secret and
silent4589
| 4589
These words, et tacitis, omitted by Oberthür, are similarly
omitted by Orelli without remark. |
thoughts. And as the
stars, the sun, the
moon, while they
wander
above the
earth, are steadily and everywhere in sight of all those who
gaze at them without any exception; so, too,
4590
| 4590 So
the edd., inserting quo- into the ms. reading ita-que—“it is
therefore fitting,” which is absurd, as making the connection
between the members of the sentence one not of analogy, but of logical
sequence. |
it is fitting that the
ears of the gods
should be closed against no
tongue, and should be ever within reach,
although voices should flow together to them from widely separated
regions. For this
it is that belongs specially to the
gods,—to fill all things with their power, to be not partly at
any place, but all everywhere, not to go to dine with the
Æthiopians, and return after twelve days to their own
dwellings.
4591
| 4591
Cf. the speech of Thetis, Iliad, i.
423–425. |
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