phythonissa

Updated: May 1, 2025

Ixion is for ever fastened to his wheel; Sisyphus must to all eternity roll his stone without ever being able to reach the apex of his mountain; the vulture must perpetually prey on the liver of the unfortunate Prometheus: those who dare to think for themselves those who have refused to listen to their enthusiastic guides those who have not reverenced the oracles those who have had the audacity to consult their reason those who have boldly ventured to detect impostors those who have doubted the divine mission of the Phythonissa those who believe that Jupiter violated decency in his visit to Danae those who look upon Apollo as no better than a strolling musician those who think that Mahomet was an arch knave are to smart everlastingly in flaming oceans of burning sulpher; are to float to all eternity in the most excruciating agonies on seas of liquid brimstone, wailing and gnashing their teeth: what wonder, then, if man dreads to be cast into these hideous gulfs; if his mind loathes the horrific picture; if he wishes to defer for a season these dreadful punishments; if he clings to an existence, painful as it may be, rather than encounter such revolting cruelties.

baron d' Paul Henri Thiry Holbach - The System of Nature, Volume 1