906–907
Athenian
Ath. Such must necessarily be the account of the matter given by the man who says that the gods are always merciful to unjust men and those who act unjustly, provided that one gives them a share of one’s unjust gains; it is just as if wolves were to give small bits of their prey to watch-dogs, and they being mollified by the gifts were to allow them to go ravening among the flocks. Is not this the account given by the man who asserts that the gods are open to bribes?
Athenian
Ath. To which of the guardians aforementioned might a man liken the gods without incurring ridicule? Is it to pilots, who, when warped themselves by wine’s flow and flavor,Hom. Il. 9.500 (quoted above, p. 371, n. 1). overturn both ships and sailors?
5
Clinias
Clin. By no means.
Athenian
Ath. And surely not to drivers ranged up for a race and seduced by a gift to lose it in favor of other teams?
Clinias
Clin. If that was the account you gave of them, it would indeed be a horrible comparison.
Athenian
Ath. Nor, surely, to generals or physicians or farmers or herdsmen; nor yet to dogs charmed by wolves?
Clinias
Clin. Hush! That is quite impossible.
Athenian
Ath. Are not all gods the greatest of all guardians, and over the greatest things?
Clinias
Clin. Yes, by far.
Athenian
Ath. Shall we say that those who watch over the fairest things, and who are themselves eminently good at keeping watch, are inferior to dogs and ordinary men, who would never betray justice for the sake of gifts impiously offered by unjust men?