Caecillius
How much more reverent and better it is to accept the teaching of our elders as the priest of truth; to maintain the religions handed down to us; to adore the Gods, whom from the cradle you were taught to know, not to dogmatize about the divinities, but accept the council of our wise elders.
Hence it is that throughout wide empires, provinces, and towns, we see each people having its own individual rites and worshipping its local Gods, the Eleusinians Ceres, the Phyrgians the Great Mother, the Epidaurians Aesculapius, the Chaldaeans Bel, the Syrians Astarte, the Taurians Diana, the Gauls Mercury, the Romans one and all. Thus it is that their power and authority has embraced the circuit of the whole world, and has advanced the bounds of empire beyond the paths of the sun, and the confines of ocean; while they practice in the field God-fearing valor, make strong their city with awe and sacred rites, with chaste virgins, with many a priestly dignity and title; beseiged and imprisoned within the Capitol, they still revrenced the Gods, whom others might have spurned with wrath, and their piety was such that the Gauls passed on, and let them be.
Turn your gaze on the temples and shrines of Gods by which the commonwealth of Rome is protected and adorned: we owe a great debt to the Gods who dwell there.
Therefore, since all nations unhesitantly agree as to the existence of the Immortal Gods, however uncertain may be our account of them or their origin, it is intolerable that any man should be so puffed up with pride and impious coceit of wisdom, as to strive to abolish or undermine religion, so ancient, so useful, and so salutary.
Caesar Augustus
Tell me, have I played my part in the comedy of life well?
Cato
I would much rather have men ask why I have no statue, than why I have one.
It is a hard matter, my fellow citizens, to argue with the belly, since it has no ears.
Wise men profit more from fools than fools from wise men, for the wise man shuns the mistakes of fools, but fools do not imitate the success of the wise.
Celsus
The world is governed by various Gods, and divided into provinces. Each nation is run as it ought to be.
The man who worships several Gods, because he worships that which in truth belongs to the Great God, even by this very action does that which is loved by him.
It was because men of ancient times were touched by the spirit that they proclaimed many excellent doctrines.
It is impious to abandon the customs which have existed in each locality from the beginning.
Charillus
When asked why Lycurgus made so few laws, Charillus said, "Because men of few words need only a few laws too."
When someone was asking why they let unmarried girls appear in public unveiled, but their wives veiled, he said, "Because the girls need to find husbands, whereas the wives must stick to their own husbands."
When one of the helots behaved rather insolently towards him, he said, "Were I not angry, I would have killed you."
When asked why Spartans wore their hair long, he replied, "This is the natural means of personal adornment, and it costs nothing."
Cicero
The Gods have always been, and never were born.
For by means of the Mysteries we have been transformed from a rough and savage way of life to the state of humanity, and have been civilized. Just as they are called Initiations, so in actual fact we have learned from them the fundamentals of life, and have grasped the basis not only for living with joy but also dying with a better hope.
Human beings were created to contemplate and reflect the universe. They are not themselves this great perfection, but are particles of perfection.
Religion is not ruined by removing superstion.
Sacred things should not only not be touched with the hands, but may not be violated even in thought.
The first bond of society is marriage; the next is children; the third family.
Cleanthes
Lead me, Zeus, and you, Fate. Wherever you have assigned me, I shall follow without hesitation; but even if I am disobediant and do not wish to, I shall follow no less surely.
Cleomenes
When someone said, "After your frequent victories over the Argives in their wars against you, why haven't you wiped them out?", Cleomenes replied: "We would not wish to wipe them out because we want sparring-partners for our young men."
When someone was asking him why Spariates do not dedicate the spoils from their enemies to the Gods, he said: "Because they came from cowards."
Crassus
Those who aim at great deeds must also suffer greatly.
Cyprian
What is a stage show without a God, a game without a sacrifice?
Copyright 2002 Sannion
All Rights Reserved
Posted with permission
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