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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"<br />
"<br />
"<br />
The Delay <strong>of</strong> the Deity<br />
mold neither do anything in a small<br />
way,<br />
nor do the<br />
vehemence <strong>and</strong> energy <strong>of</strong> their titanic natures suffer<br />
them to be inactive; but they are tossed to <strong>and</strong> fro<br />
like a ship on the waves until they settle down into a<br />
fixed <strong>and</strong> well-grounded character. Just as a person<br />
who was ignorant <strong>of</strong> agriculture would not take a<br />
fancy to l<strong>and</strong>, if he saw it overgrown with \veeds <strong>and</strong><br />
brambles, full <strong>of</strong> wild animals, running water <strong>and</strong><br />
marshes; while to one who has learned to discriminate<br />
<strong>and</strong> to judge, these very things show the strength <strong>and</strong><br />
goodness <strong>of</strong> the soil; so men cast in a large mold com<br />
mit irregularities <strong>and</strong> follies men whose volcanic<br />
<strong>and</strong><br />
vehement natures we cannot endure, <strong>and</strong> think<br />
they ought to be cut <strong>of</strong>f or kept<br />
in check. But the<br />
better judge, he who in spite <strong>of</strong> these things discerns<br />
innate worth <strong>and</strong> nobility, waits until age <strong>and</strong> matur<br />
ity become the co-workers <strong>of</strong> reason <strong>and</strong> virtue, when<br />
nature shall bring forth her proper fruit."<br />
7.<br />
So much, then, on this point. And do you<br />
not think certain <strong>of</strong> the Greeks have done wisely in<br />
adopting the Egyptian law that forbids the execution<br />
<strong>of</strong> a woman condemned to death during pregnancy,<br />
until after her delivery?" "Most assuredly," they<br />
said. If then," said I, a person is big, not with a<br />
child, but with a deed or a secret project which he<br />
may in the course <strong>of</strong> time bring into the world <strong>and</strong><br />
put into execution, or if he might disclose some<br />
hidden crime, or be the author <strong>of</strong> some judicious<br />
counsel or the discoverer <strong>of</strong> some useful invention,<br />
would it not be better to await a seasonable time for<br />
173