If they do imitate the sins843 of gods;844 Nay, evil let their teachers rather be.” And in Archelaus:— “Full oft, my son, do gods mankind perplex.” And in Bellerophon:— “They are no gods, who do not what is right.” And again in the same:— “Gods reign in heaven most certainly, says one; But it is false,— -yea, false, -and let not him Who speaks thus, be so foolish as to use Ancient tradition, or to pay regard Unto my words: but with unclouded eye Behold the matter in its clearest light. Power absolute, I say, robs men of life And property; transgresses plighted faith; Nor spares even cities, but with cruel hand Despoils and devastates them ruthlessly. But they that do these things have more success Than those who live a gentle pious life; And cities small, I know, which reverence gods, Submissive bend before the many spears Of larger impious ones; yea, and methinks If any man lounge idly, and abstain From working with his hands for sustenance, Yet pray the gods; he very soon will know If they from him misfortunes will avert.” And Menander in Diphilus:845— “Therefore ascribe we praise and honour great 843 κακά in Euripedes, καλά in text. 844 [See Warburton’s Divine Legation (book ii. § 4), vol. ii. p. 20. Ed. London, 1811.] 845 These lines are assigned to Diphilus. 787 Chapter V.—The vain pretensions of false gods.