Very well. Tell me then, you scoundrel, don’t you think the gods exercise any providence ?
Not in the least.
What’s that you say? Then is all that we see about us uncared for by any providence ?
Yes.
And the administration of the universe is not directed by any god ?
No.
And everything drifts at random?
Yes.
Men, do you hear that and put up with it? Aren’t you going to stone the villain ?
Why do you embitter men against me, Timocles? And who are you to get angry on behalf of the gods, especially when they themselves are not angry? They have done me no harm, you see, though they have listened to me long—if indeed they have ears.
Yes, they have, Damis, they have, and they will
punish you some day in the hereafter.