按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
than all the offerings of the other Hellenes。〃' Such were the words of the
God； and nothing more。 He seems to have meant by 'silent worship' the
prayer of the Lacedaemonians； which is indeed widely different from the
usual requests of the Hellenes。 For they either bring to the altar bulls with
gilded horns or make offerings to the Gods； and beg at random for what
they need； good or bad。 When； therefore； the Gods hear them using words
of ill omen they reject these costly processions and sacrifices of theirs。
And we ought； I think； to be very careful and consider well what we
should say and what leave unsaid。 Homer； too； will furnish us with similar
stories。 For he tells us how the Trojans in making their encampment；
'Offered up whole hecatombs to the immortals；'
and how the 'sweet savour' was borne 'to the heavens by the winds；
'But the blessed Gods were averse and received it not。 For exceedingly
did they hate the holy Ilium； Both Priam and the people of the spear…
skilled king。'
So that it was in vain for them to sacrifice and offer gifts； seeing that
they were hateful to the Gods； who are not； like vile usurers； to be gained
over by bribes。 And it is foolish for us to boast that we are superior to the
17
… Page 18…
ALCIBIADES II
Lacedaemonians by reason of our much worship。 The idea is
inconceivable that the Gods have regard； not to the justice and purity of
our souls； but to costly processions and sacrifices； which men may
celebrate year after year； although they have committed innumerable
crimes against the Gods or against their fellow…men or the state。 For the
Gods； as Ammon and his prophet declare； are no receivers of gifts； and
they scorn such unworthy service。 Wherefore also it would seem that
wisdom and justice are especially honoured both by the Gods and by men
of sense； and they are the wisest and most just who know how to speak
and act towards Gods and men。 But I should like to hear what your
opinion is about these matters。
ALCIBIADES： I agree； Socrates； with you and with the God； whom；
indeed； it would be unbecoming for me to oppose。
SOCRATES： Do you not remember saying that you were in great
perplexity； lest perchance you should ask for evil； supposing that you were
asking for good？
ALCIBIADES： I do。
SOCRATES： You see； then； that there is a risk in your approaching the
God in prayer； lest haply he should refuse your sacrifice when he hears the
blasphemy which you utter； and make you partake of other evils as well。
The wisest plan； therefore； seems to me that you should keep silence； for
your 'highmindedness'to use the mildest term which men apply to folly
will most likely prevent you from using the prayer of the Lacedaemonians。
You had better wait until we find out how we should behave towards the
Gods and towards men。
ALCIBIADES： And how long must I wait； Socrates； and who will be
my teacher？ I should be very glad to see the man。
SOCRATES： It is he who takes an especial interest in you。 But first of
all； I think； the darkness must be taken away in which your soul is now
enveloped； just as Athene in Homer removes the mist from the eyes of
Diomede that
'He may distinguish between God and mortal man。'
Afterwards the means may be given to you whereby you may
distinguish between good and evil。 At present； I fear； this is beyond your
18
… Page 19…
ALCIBIADES II
power。
ALCIBIADES： Only let my instructor take away the impediment；
whether it pleases him to call it mist or anything else！ I care not who he is；
but I am resolved to disobey none of his commands； if I am likely to be
the better for them。
SOCRATES： And surely he has a wondrous care for you。
ALCIBIADES： It seems to be altogether advisable to put off the
sacrifice until he is found。
SOCRATES： You are right： that will be safer than running such a
tremendous risk。
ALCIBIADES： But how shall we manage； Socrates？At any rate I
will set this crown of mine upon your head； as you have given me such
excellent advice； and to the Gods we will offer crowns and perform the
other customary rites when I see that day approaching： nor will it be long
hence； if they so will。
SOCRATES： I accept your gift； and shall be ready and willing to
receive whatever else you may proffer。 Euripides makes Creon say in the
play； when he beholds Teiresias with his crown and hears that he has
gained it by his skill as the first…fruits of the spoil：
'An auspicious omen I deem thy victor's wreath： For well thou
knowest that wave and storm oppress us。'
And so I count your gift to be a token of good…fortune； for I am in no
less stress than Creon； and would fain carry off the victory over your
lovers。
19