United States or Caribbean Netherlands ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
I kept only three of my ten oaths, and I didn't deal differently with the other gods. If the same is the case with you, isn't that the reason, possibly, why we are now abandoned by the gods? To be sure, I ordered Larissa to sacrifice a whole hecatomb after my death." "But that is Larissa's affair, whereas it was you, friend Elpidias, who made the promises." "That's true, that's true.
I I sit here overcome with grief and bemoan the joys of a fleeting life." "Friend Elpidias, like you, I, too, was plunged in this gloom when the light of earthly life was removed from my eyes. But an inner voice told me: 'Tread this new path without hesitation, and I went." "But whither do you go, O son of Sophroniscus?
"Well, Elpidias, why did you not complain in the market-place against Zeus and the Olympians? The son of Cronos carried on war with his own father, and was seized with brutal lust for the daughters of men, while Hera took vengeance upon innocent virgins. Did not both of them convert the unhappy daughter of Inachos into a common cow? Did not Apollo kill all the children of Niobe with his arrows?
It was already beginning to waver in its reverence for Zeus. Speak alone. I won't answer any more." "Be not wrathful, Elpidias! I don't wish to inflict any evil upon you. But if you are tired of following my arguments to their logical conclusions, permit me to relate to you an allegory of a Milesian youth. Allegories rest the mind, and the relaxation is not unprofitable."
And so a day came on which I said to myself: 'Socrates, here you are praying to the Olympians. Why are you praying to them?" Elpidias laughed. "Really you philosophers sometimes don't know how to answer the simplest questions. I'm a plain tanner who never in my life studied sophistry, yet I know why I must honour the Olympians." "Tell me quickly, so that I. too, may know why." "Why? Ha! Ha!
"Yes, I am Elpidias, formerly the richest tanner in Athens, now the most miserable of slaves. For the first time I understand the words of the poet: 'Better to be a slave in this world than a ruler in gloomy Hades." "My friend, if it is disagreeable for you where you are, why don't you move to another spot?" "O Socrates, I marvel at you how dare you wander about in this cheerless gloom?
Elpidias maintained silence for a moment, and then, after he had collected his thoughts, asked: "Yes, this is what I wanted to say tell me, my poor Socrates, did they at least give you a good burial?" "I must confess, friend Elpidias, I cannot satisfy your curiosity." "I understand, my poor Socrates, it doesn't help you cut a figure. Now with me it was so different!
"Then, friend Elpidias, they; are no gods, but deceptive phantoms, creations of a dream. Is it not so?" "Ah, that's whither your talk leads, you bare-footed philosopher! Now I see what they said of you is true. You are like that fish that takes men captive with its look. So you took me captive in order to confound my believing soul and awaken doubt in it.
"Cease your scoffing, Socrates! Do not make sport, and do not compare yourself, your godless self, with a man who died in his own bed ". "Ah, I believe I am beginning to understand you. But tell me, Elpidias, do you hope ever again to rejoice in your bed?" "Oh, I think not." "And was there ever a time when you did not sleep in it?" "Yes.
"Tell me, are you afraid? I don't think that the feeling I now have can be called fear." "I am afraid, although I have less cause than you to be at odds with the gods. But don't you think that the gods, in abandoning us to ourselves here in this chaos, have cheated us of our hopes?" "That depends upon what sort of hopes they were. What did you expect from the gods, Elpidias?"
Word Of The Day