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Between Heathenism and Christianity - College of Stoic Philosophers

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&quot;<br />

Because<br />

&quot;<br />

&quot;<br />

sentence against an evil work is not executed<br />

speedily,<br />

them to do evil.&quot;<br />

therefore the heart <strong>of</strong> the sons <strong>of</strong> men is fully set in<br />

CONCERNING THE DELAY OF THE DEITY IN<br />

PUNISHING THE WICKED.<br />

DRAMATIS PERSONAL.<br />

PLUTARCH. PATROCLEAS, his son=in=law. TIMON, his brother.<br />

OLYMPICHUS.<br />

The scene is the portico <strong>of</strong> the temple <strong>of</strong> Apollo at Delphi.<br />

The tract is dedicated to a certain Quintus, whose name seems<br />

to indicate that he was a Roman, but <strong>of</strong> whom nothing defi<br />

nite is known.<br />

When Epicurus had thus spoken,<br />

O Quintus, <strong>and</strong><br />

before any one had replied, he went hurriedly away,<br />

as we were now at the end <strong>of</strong> the porch. We stood for<br />

some time in speechless wonder at the strange con<br />

duct <strong>of</strong> the man <strong>and</strong> looking at one another, then<br />

turned back to resume our walk. Thereupon Patrocleas<br />

first broke the silence: &quot;Pray,<br />

what shall we<br />

do?&quot; said he,<br />

Shall we drop the inquiry, or shall<br />

we answer the arguments <strong>of</strong> the speaker who is<br />

present as if he were?&quot;<br />

It would not be fitting<br />

not<br />

leave the dart he discharged, as he departed, sticking<br />

in the wound. Brasidas, as we are told, drew the<br />

shaft from his body, <strong>and</strong> with the same weapon slew<br />

the man who had hit him.<br />

162<br />

to<br />

It is not worth our while.

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