1. Of religion towards the Gods, know that the chief element is to have right opinions concerning them, as existing and governing the whole in fair order and justice; and then to set thyself to obey them, and to yield to them in each event, and submit to it willingly, as accomplished under the highest counsels. For so shalt thou never blame the Gods, nor accuse them, as being neglectful of thee.
1. In religious devotion to the gods, know that the most important thing is to hold right beliefs about them. Believe that they exist and govern everything with order and justice. Then commit yourself to obeying them and yielding to them in everything that happens. Accept each event willingly, as brought about by the highest wisdom. In this way, you will never blame the gods or accuse them of neglecting you.
2. But this may come to pass in no other way than by placing Good and Evil in the things that are in our own power, and withdrawing them from those that are not; for if thou take any of these things to be good or evil, then when thou shalt miss thy desire, or fall into what thou desirest not, it is altogether necessary that thou blame and hate those who caused thee to do so.
2. But this can happen only if we place good and evil in things within our control. We must stop assigning them to things outside our control. For if you consider any of those things good or evil, you will face an unavoidable result. When you fail to get what you want, or encounter what you do not want, you will blame and hate those responsible.
3. For every living thing was so framed by Nature as to flee and turn from things, and the causes of things, that appear hurtful, and to follow and admire things, and the causes of things, that appear serviceable. For it is impossible that one who thinketh himself harmed should delight in that seemeth to harm him, even as he cannot delight in the very harm itself.
3. Nature made every living thing flee and avoid whatever seems harmful, along with its causes. It also made every living thing pursue and admire whatever seems helpful, along with its causes. Anyone who believes they are being harmed cannot take pleasure in what seems to harm them. Nor can they take pleasure in the harm itself.
4. And thus it comes that a father is reviled by his son when he will not give him of the things that appear to be good. And this it was that set Polyneices and Eteocles at war with each other—the opinion, namely, that royalty is a good. And through this the Gods are railed on by the husbandman and the sailor, by the merchant, and men who lose their wives or children. For where advantage is, there also is religion. Thus he who is careful to pursue and avoid as he ought, is careful, at the same time, of religion.
4. This is why a son insults his father when his father refuses him things that seem good. This is what set Polyneices and Eteocles at war with each other, the belief that being king is good. For the same reason, farmers, sailors, merchants, and those who lose wives or children curse the gods. For where people see their advantage, there too they place their devotion. So whoever takes care to pursue and avoid the right things also takes care to honor the gods.
5. But it is fitting also that every man should pour libations and offer sacrifices and first-fruits after the customs of his fathers, purely, and not languidly nor negligently, nor, indeed, scantily, nor yet beyond his means.
5. It is also fitting for everyone to pour ritual offerings and offer sacrifices and first fruits, following their ancestors’ customs. They should do so with purity, not halfheartedly or carelessly, neither giving too little nor spending beyond their means.