The Works of Lucian of Samosata — Volume 03Lucian, of Samosata
Philosophy
The Works of Lucian of Samosata — Volume 03
Lucian, of Samosata
Lucian, of Samosata -- Translations into English
_Zeus_. To work, then: fly down, and make proclamation in the
following terms: All litigant parties to assemble this day on
Areopagus: Justice to assign them their juries from the whole body
of the Athenians, the number of the jury to be in proportion to the
amount of damages claimed; any party doubting the justice of his
sentence to have the right of appeal to me. And you, my daughter,
take your seat by the side of the Dread Goddesses [Footnote: See
_Erinnyes_ in Notes.], cast lots for the order of the trials,
and superintend the formation of juries.
_Just_. You would have me return to Earth, once more to be
driven thence in ignominious flight by the intolerable taunts of
Injustice?
_Zeus_. Hope for better things. The philosophers have quite
convinced every one by this time of your superiority. The son of
Sophroniscus was particularly strong on your merits: he laid it
down that Justice was the highest Good.
_Just_. Yes; and very serviceable his dissertations on Justice
were to him, were they not, when he was handed over to the Eleven,
and thrown into prison, and drank the hemlock? Poor man, he had not
even time to sacrifice the cock he owed to Asclepius. His accusers
were too much for him altogether, and _their_ philosophy had
Injustice for its object.
_Zeus_. But in those days philosophy was not generally known,
and had but few exponents; it is not surprising that the scale
turned in favour of Anytus and Meletus. But now it is different:
look at the number of cloaks and sticks and wallets that are about;
everywhere philosophers, long-bearded, book in hand, maintain your
cause; the public walks are filled with their contending hosts, and
every man of them calls Virtue his nurse. Numbers have abandoned
their former professions to pounce upon wallet and cloak; these
ready-made philosophers, carpenters once or cobblers, now duly
tanned to the true Ethiopian hue, are singing your praises high and
low. ‘He that falls on shipboard strikes wood,’ says the proverb;
and the eye, wheresoever it fall, will light on philosophers.
_Just_. Yes, father, but they frighten me: they quarrel so
among themselves; and when they talk about me, they only expose
their own little minds. And, from what I hear, most of those who
make so free with my name show no inclination at all to put my
principles into practice. I may count upon finding their doors
closed to _me_: Injustice has been beforehand with me.
_Zeus_. Come, child, they are not all so bad, and if you can
find a few honest men it will be something. Now, off with you both,
and see if you can’t get a few cases settled up to-day.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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