Between Heathenism and Christianity - College of Stoic Philosophers
Between Heathenism and Christianity - College of Stoic Philosophers
Between Heathenism and Christianity - College of Stoic Philosophers
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The Delay <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Deity<br />
Unit f. do not see \vli;il nsr there is in the Baying thai<br />
the mills <strong>of</strong> the gods grind late, both because they ob<br />
scure justice <strong>and</strong> take away the fear <strong>of</strong> evil-doing.<br />
1. Thereupon in reply to these remarks <strong>and</strong> while<br />
1 \vas still absorbed in reflection, Tiinon said: "Shall<br />
1 now<br />
add to the discussion the climax <strong>of</strong> my own<br />
perplexity or shall I pass it over until after the dis<br />
posal <strong>of</strong> the main argument?" What is the use."<br />
said I,<br />
"<strong>of</strong><br />
sending along a third wave to wash away<br />
the subject matter, if it be found impossible<br />
to re<br />
fute <strong>and</strong> invalidate the tirst objection? First, then,<br />
beginning, as we say, at the ingle=side <strong>and</strong> with the<br />
caution <strong>of</strong> the philosophers <strong>of</strong> the Academy in regard<br />
to the divinity, let us beware <strong>of</strong> assuming that we<br />
know just what to say on this subject. In truth, an<br />
affair <strong>of</strong> more serious moment is the consideration <strong>of</strong><br />
supernal <strong>and</strong> divine things, for us who are human be<br />
ings, than when one who has no ear for music dis<br />
cusses this art, or when one who has never served in<br />
the army discourses on military affairs; because,<br />
though ignorant <strong>of</strong> the plan <strong>of</strong> the artificer, w r e as<br />
sume to be able to fathom his designs from what we<br />
suppose to be probable <strong>and</strong> fitting. It is not hard for<br />
one unacquainted with the healing art to comprehend<br />
the reasoning <strong>of</strong> a physician as to why lie did not<br />
sooner perform a certain amputation rather than later,<br />
or why he ordered a bath yesterday <strong>and</strong> not to-day;<br />
in respect to God, on the other h<strong>and</strong>, it is not easy for<br />
a mortal to say any thing positive except that, know<br />
ing best the proper occasion for curing a man <strong>of</strong> hii<br />
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