Dialogi mortuorum

Sostratus The deeds of my life—were they in my own choice, or were they decreed by Fate?

Minos Decreed, of course.

Sostratus Then all of us, whether we passed for honest men or rogues, were the instruments of Fate in all that we did?

Minos Certainly; Clotho prescribes the conduct of every man at his birth.

Sostratus Now suppose a man commits a murder under compulsion of a power which he cannot resist, an executioner, for instance, at the bidding of a judge, or a bodyguard at that of a tyrant. Who is the murderer, according to you?

Minos The judge, of course, or the tyrant. As well ask whether the sword is guilty, which is but the tool of his anger who is prime mover in the affair.

Sostratus I am indebted to you for a further illustration of my argument. Again: a slave, sent by his master, brings me gold or silver; to whom am I to be grateful? who goes down on my tablets as a benefactor?

Minos The sender; the bringer is but his minister.