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 Deity<br />
nature, to have a completer enjoyment <strong>of</strong> (rod than<br />
when seeking <strong>and</strong> earnestly striving after virtue by<br />
imitating everything that is good <strong>and</strong> noble. For<br />
this reason also God punishes the wicked in due time<br />
<strong>and</strong> with deliberation: not because He is Himself<br />
afraid <strong>of</strong> making a mistake by chastising any one too<br />
soon or because He might repent <strong>of</strong> it, but in order<br />
to remove from us what is brutal <strong>and</strong> hasty in the in<br />
fliction <strong>of</strong> punishment, <strong>and</strong> to teach us not to chastise<br />
in anger nor when greatly excited <strong>and</strong> indignant,<br />
rage o erleaps the bounds <strong>of</strong> reason as<br />
; if, in order<br />
to satisfy our hunger or quench our thirst we<br />
rushed upon those who have done us an injury, but<br />
imitating His goodness <strong>and</strong> long-suffering <strong>and</strong> taking<br />
time as our adviser, that gives least room for repen<br />
tance, we should proceed to inflict punishments in<br />
accordance with justice. For, as Socrates said, it is<br />
less mischievous to drink murky water, heedlessly,<br />
than when one is in a perturbed state <strong>of</strong> mind <strong>and</strong><br />
under the influence <strong>of</strong> anger <strong>and</strong> has lost the power<br />
<strong>of</strong> self=control before the mind has become calm<br />
<strong>and</strong> clear, to vent one s wrath on the person <strong>of</strong> a<br />
kinsman or friend. For vengeance does not belong<br />
close upon the inquiry, as Thucydides says, but is<br />
most in place when as far from it as possible. Since<br />
anger, according to Melanthius commits terrible<br />
deeds when it has displaced self-control ; so, like<br />
wise, reason does what is just <strong>and</strong> fitting when it has<br />
put aside anger <strong>and</strong> excitement. Further also, men<br />
are made humane by the example <strong>of</strong> others when