Works, Volume 2Heinemann, 1913 |
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Page 337 - For when it came about that the poor were neglected and overlooked [C] by the priests, then I think the impious Galilaeans observed this fact and devoted themselves to philanthropy. And they have gained ascendancy in the worst of their deeds through the credit they win for such practices. For just as those who entice children with a cake, and by throwing it to them two or three times induce them to follow them, and then, when they are far away from their friends, cast them on board a ship and sell...
Page 413 - He that is a seducer, he that is a murderer, he that is sacrilegious and infamous, let him approach without fear ! For with this water will I wash him and will straightway make him clean. And though he should be guilty of those same sins a second time, let him but smite his breast and beat his head and I will make him clean again.
Page 309 - ... worshipping the gods as though he saw them actually present. For our fathers established images and altars, and the maintenance of undying fire, and, generally speaking, everything of the sort, as symbols of the presence of the gods, not that we may regard such things as gods, but that we may worship the gods through them.
Page 487 - Apollo], and it was your duty to be zealous in visiting Daphne. Accordingly, I hastened thither from the temple of Zeus Kasios, thinking that at Daphne, if anywhere, I should enjoy the sight of your wealth and public spirit. And I imagined in my own mind the sort of procession it would be, like a man seeing visions in a dream, beasts for sacrifice, libations, choruses in honor of the god, incense, and the youths of your city there surrounding the shrine, their souls adorned with all holiness and...
Page 69 - They also represent the activities of the Gods. For one may call the World a Myth, in which bodies and things are visible^ but souls and minds hidden. Besides, to wish to teach the whole truth about the Gods to all produces contempt in the foolish, because they cannot understand, and lack of zeal in the good; whereas to conceal the truth by myths prevents the contempt of the foolish, and compels the good to practise philosophy.
Page 119 - Whenever myths on sacred subjects are Incongruous In thought, by that very fact they cry aloud, as it were, and summon us not to believe them literally but to study and track down their hidden meaning.
Page 303 - I will assert, even though it be paradoxical to say so, that it would be a pious act to share our clothes and food even with the wicked. For it is to the humanity in a man that we give, and not to his moral character. Hence I think that even those who are shut up in prison have a right to the same sort of care ; since this kind of philanthropy will not hinder justice.
Page 309 - For just as those who make offerings to the statues of the emperors, who are in need of nothing, nevertheless induce goodwill towards themselves thereby, so too those who make offerings to the images of the gods, though the gods need nothing, do nevertheless thereby persuade them to help and to care for them. For...
Page 489 - I have brought with me from my own house a goose as an offering to the god, but the city this time has made no preparations.
Page 23 - Cynicism seems to be in some ways a universal philosophy, and the most natural.