901–902
Athenian
Ath. Now to us three let these two men make answer, of whom both agree that gods exist, but the one asserts that they can be bribed, and the other that they neglect the small. First, you both assert that the gods know and hear and see all things,Cp. Plat. Laws 641e. and that nothing of all that is apprehended by senses or sciences can escape their notice; do you assert that this is so, or what?
Clinias
Clin. That is what we assert.Here, and in what follows, Clinias is answering on behalf of the two misbelievers.
Athenian
Ath. And further, that they can do all that can be done by mortal or immortal?
Clinias
Clin. They will, of course, admit that this also is the case.
Athenian
Ath. And it is undeniable that all five of us agreed that the gods are good, yea, exceeding good.
15
Clinias
Clin. Most certainly.
Athenian
Ath. Being, then, such as we agree, is it not impossible to allow that they do anything at all in a lazy and indolent way? For certainly amongst us mortals idleness is the child of cowardice, and laziness of idleness and indolence.
Athenian
Ath. None, then, of the gods is neglectful owing to idleness and laziness, seeing that none has any part in cowardice.
Clinias
Clin. You are very right.
20
Athenian
Ath. Further, if they do neglect the small and scant things of the All, they will do so either because they know that there is no need at all to care for any such things or—well, what other alternative is there except the opposite of knowing?
Clinias
Clin. There is none.