ions it to never-ending use unworn, keeping it free
from sickness or decay, (26) so that swifter than thought it ministers
to his will unerringly--this God is seen to perform the mightiest
operations, but in the actual administration of the same abides himself
invisible to mortal ken. Reflect further, this Sun above our heads, so
visible to all--as we suppose--will not suffer man to regard him too
narrowly, but should any essay to watch him with a shameless stare he
will snatch away their power of vision. And if the gods themselves are
thus unseen, so too shall you find their ministers to be hidden also;
from the height of heaven above the thunderbolt is plainly hurled, and
triumphs over all that it encounters, yet it is all-invisible, no eye
may detect its coming or its going at the moment of its swoop. The winds
also are themselves unseen, though their works are manifest, and through
their approach we are aware of them. And let us not forget, the soul
of man himself, which if aught else human shares in the divine--however
manifestly enthroned within our bosom, is as wholly as the rest hidden
from our gaze. These things you should lay to mind, and not despise
the invisible ones, but learn to recognise their power, as revealed in
outward things, and to know the divine influence. (27)

(20) Cf. Cic. "de N. D." I. xii. 31; Lactantius, "de Ira," xi. 13.

(21) See L. Dindorf ad loc. (ed. Ox. 1862), {theous}; G. Sauppe, vol.
iii. "An. crit." p. xxix; R. Kuhner; C. Schenkl.

(22) i.e. "that man must walk by faith." For {upodeiknunai} cf.
"Econ." xii. 18.

(23) Schneid. cf. Plat. "Crat." 396.

(24) Or, "the co-ordinator and container of the universe."

(25) Or, "in whom all beauty and goodness is."

(26) Cf. "Cyrop." VIII. vii. 22; above, I. iv. 13.

(27) {to daimonion}, the divinity.

Nay, Socrates (replied Euthydemus), there is no danger I shall turn a
deaf ear to the divine influence even a little; of that I am not afraid,
but I am out of heart to think that no soul of man may ever requite the
kindness of the gods with fitting gratitude.

Be not out of heart because of that (he said); you know what answer the
god at Delphi makes to each one who comes asking "how shall I return
thanks to heaven?"--"According to the law and custom of your city"; and
this, I presume, is law and custom everywhere that a man should please
the gods with offerings according to the ability which is in him. (28)
How then s