15. Sometimes, however,
there were seasons of scarcity; yet they were relieved by times of
plenty. Again, certain wars were carried on contrary to our
wishes.
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But they
were afterwards compensated by victories and successes. What
shall we say, then?—that the gods at one time bore in mind our
acts of wrong-doing, at another time again forgot them? If, when
there is a famine, the gods are said to be enraged at us, it follows
that in time of plenty they are not wroth, and ill-to-be-appeased; and
so the matter comes to this, that they both lay aside and resume anger
with sportive whim, and always renew their wrath afresh by the
recollection of the causes of offence.
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That is, unsuccessfully.