17–18
CYNISCUS
Do you talk to me of Hades and of Tityus and Tantalus and their like? For my part, when I die I shall find out for certain whether there is really any such thing, but for the present I prefer to live out my time in happiness, however short it may be, and then have my liver torn by sixteen vultures after my death, rather than go as thirsty as Tantalus here on earth and do my drinking in the Isles of the Blest, lying at my ease among the heroes in the Elysian Fields.
ZEUS
What’s that you say? Don’t you believe that there are any punishments and rewards, and a court where each man’s life is scrutinized!
CYNISCUS
I hear that somebody named Minos, a Cretan, acts as judge in such matters down below. And please answer me a question on his behalf, for he is your son, they say.
ZEUS
What have you to ask him, Cyniscus?
CYNISCUS
Whom does he punish principally?
ZEUS
wicked, of course, such as murderers and temple-robbers.
5
CYNISCUS
And whom does he send to join the heroes?
ZEUS
Those who were good and pious and lived virtuously.
CYNISCUS
Why is that, Zeus?
ZEUS
Because the latter deserve reward and the former punishment.
CYNISCUS
But if a man should do a dreadful thing unintentionally, would he think it right to punish him like the others?
10
CYNISCUS
I suppose, then, if a man did something good unintentionally, he would not think fit to reward him, either?
CYNISCUS
Then, Zeus, he ought not to reward or punish anyone.
