6. But let us allow, as you
wish, that the gods are accustomed to such disturbance, and that
sacrifices are offered and sacred solemnities performed to calm it,
when, then, is it fitting that these offices should be made use of, or
at what time should they be given?—before they are angry and
roused, or when they have been moved and displeased even?4797
| 4797
Lit., “set in indignations.” |
If we
must meet them
with sacrifices before
their anger is
roused, lest they become enraged, you are bringing forward
wild
beasts to us, not gods, to which it is customary to toss
food, upon
which they may
rage madly, and turn their desire to do harm, lest,
having been roused, they should
rage and
burst the barriers of their
dens. But if these sacrifices are offered to satisfy
4798
| 4798
Lit., “if this satisfaction of sacrifices is offered
to.” |
the gods
when already fired and burning with
rage, I do not inquire, I do not
consider, whether that
happy4799
| 4799
So the ms. and most edd., reading
laeta, for which Ursinus suggested
lauta—“splendid,” and Heraldus
elata—“exalted.” |
and sublime greatness of spirit which
belongs to the deities is disturbed by the offences of little men, and
wounded if a creature, blind and ever treading among clouds of
ignorance, has committed any blunder,—said
anything by
which their dignity is impaired.
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