Juppiter Tragoedus

Lucian of Samosata

Lucian, Vol. 2. Harmon, A. M., editor. London: William Heinemann, Ltd.; Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1915.

TIMOCLES Tell me, you scoundrel, have you ever made a voyage ?

DAMIS Yes, often, Timocles.

TIMOCLES Well, you were kept in motion then, were you not, either by-the wind striking the canvas and filling the sails, or else by the rowers, but the steering was done by a single man in ‘command, who kept the vessel safe ?

DAMIS Yes, certainly.

TIMOCLES Then do you suppose that while the ship would not sail if she were not steered, this universe keeps in motion unsteered and unofficered ?

ZEUS Good! Timocles put that very shrewdly, with a valid illustration.