and all, by land and sea.

[22] Or, "lie waste and barren as the blown sea-sand."

These utterances drew from Critobulus a comment:

Socrates (he said), for my part I agree with all you say; only, one must
face the fact that in agriculture nine matters out of ten are beyond
man's calculation. Since at one time hailstones and another frost, at
another drought or a deluge of rain, or mildew, or other pest, will
obliterate all the fair creations and designs of men; or behold, his
fleecy flocks most fairly nurtured, then comes murrain, and the end most
foul destruction. [23]

[23] See Virg. "Georg." iii. 441 foll.: "Turpis oves tentat scabies,
ubi frigidus imber."

To which Socrates: Nay, I thought, Critobulus, you full surely were
aware that the operations of husbandry, no less than those of war, lie
in the hands of the gods. I am sure you will have noted the behaviour of
men engaged in war; how on the verge of military operations they strive
to win the acceptance of the divine powers; [24] how eagerly they assail
the ears of heaven, and by dint of sacrifices and omens seek to discover
what they should and what they should not do. So likewise as regards
the processes of husbandry, think you the propitiation of heaven is less
needed here? Be well assured (he added) the wise and prudent will pay
service to the gods on behalf of moist fruits and dry, [25] on behalf
of cattle and horses, sheep and goats; nay, on behalf of all their
possessions, great and small, without exception.

[24] See "Hell." III. i. 16 foll., of Dercylidas.

[25] "Every kind of produce, succulent (like the grape and olive) or
dry (like wheat and barley, etc.)"

VI

Your words (Critobulus answered) command my entire sympathy, when you
bid us endeavour to begin each work with heaven's help, [1] seeing that
the gods hold in their hands the issues alike of peace and war. So
at any rate will we endeavour to act at all times; but will you now
endeavour on your side to continue the discussion of economy from
the point at which you broke off, and bring it point by point to its
conclusion? What you have said so far has not been thrown away on me.
I seem to discern already more clearly, what sort of behaviour is
necessary to anything like real living. [2]

[1] Lit. "with the gods," and for the sentiment see below, x. 10;
"Cyrop." III. i. 15; "Hipparch," ix. 3.

[2] For {bioteuein} cf. Pind. "Nem." iv. 11, and see Holden ad loc.