Between Heathenism and Christianity - College of Stoic Philosophers
Between Heathenism and Christianity - College of Stoic Philosophers
Between Heathenism and Christianity - College of Stoic Philosophers
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
The Delay <strong>of</strong> the Deity<br />
they learn, for instance, that Plato, after raising his<br />
staff to strike his slave, remained st<strong>and</strong>ing for a long<br />
time, as he himself says, in this way chastening his<br />
anger. And Archytas, on learning that his servants<br />
were negligent <strong>and</strong> disorderly in his fields, but<br />
noticing that he was greatly angered <strong>and</strong> incensed<br />
at them, did nothing but remark as he walked away,<br />
You are lucky that I am very wroth at you. If,<br />
therefore, the reported sayings <strong>of</strong> men, treasured up<br />
for us, deter us from harshness <strong>and</strong> the violence<br />
resulting from passion; much more does it become us,<br />
as we look upon God who lacks nothing <strong>and</strong> who<br />
knows no repentance for any deed, yet postpones<br />
punishment to the future <strong>and</strong> bides His time, to be<br />
on our guard in such matters. We ought also to<br />
look upon mildness <strong>and</strong> long=suffering as the divine<br />
part <strong>of</strong> the virtue which God Himself exemplifies<br />
(in His dealings with men), <strong>and</strong> to remember that<br />
few are made better by swift chastisement, but that<br />
many are pr<strong>of</strong>ited <strong>and</strong> admonished by<br />
punishing.<br />
tardiness in<br />
6. In the second place, let us remember that<br />
punishments among men. having regard solely to<br />
the<br />
infliction <strong>of</strong> injuries to others, cease with the<br />
malefactor <strong>and</strong> go no further; therefore, like a<br />
barking dog they (the penalties) cling<br />
to the heels<br />
<strong>of</strong> the transgression <strong>and</strong> follow up actions closely.<br />
But God, as seems reasonable, discerns the pas<br />
sions <strong>of</strong> the diseased soul<br />
upon which He wishes to<br />
visit punishment, whether in any way, perchance, it<br />
170