ished braziers twenty, and horses twelve-- (70)

by weight and measure duly reckoned, (71) I cannot stay my craving
for enormous wealth. And that's the reason certain people, I daresay,
imagine I am inordinately fond of riches.

(69) Or, "his want-for-nothing," or, "supply-all."

(70) Niceratus quotes "Il." ix. 122, 123, 263, 264.

(71) Or, "by number and by measure," "so much apiece, so much a
pound," in reference to Antisthenes' remark that Socrates does not
stint his "good things."

The remark drew forth a peal of laughter from the company, who thought
the speaker hit the truth exactly.

Then some one: It lies with you, Hermogenes, to tell us who your friends
are; and next, to demonstrate the greatness of their power and their
care for you, if you would prove to us your right to pride yoruself on
them.

Herm. That the gods know all things, that the present and the future
lie before their eyes, are tenets held by Hellenes and barbarians
alike. This is obvious; or else, why do states and nations, one and all,
inquire of the gods by divination what they ought to do and what they
ought not? This also is apparent, that we believe them able to do us
good and to do us harm; or why do all men pray to Heaven to avert the
evil and bestow the good? Well then, my boast is that these gods, who
know and can do all things, (72) deign to be my friends; so that, by
reason of their care for me, I can never escape from their sight, (73)
neither by night nor by day, whithersoever I essay to go, whatsoever I
take in hand to do. (74) But because they know beforehand the end and
issue of each event, they give me signals, sending messengers, be it
some voice, (75) or vision of the night, with omens of the solitary
bird, which tell me what I should and what I should not do. When I
listen to their warnings all goes well with me, I have no reason to
repent; but if, as ere now has been the case, I have been disobedient,
chastisement has overtaken me.

(72) Cf. "Mem." I. i. 19; I. iv. 18.

(73) Schneid. cf. Hom. "Il." x. 279, {oude se letho kinomenos}, "nor
doth any motion of mine escape thee" (A. Lang); and see Arrian,
"Epictet." i. 12. 3.

(74) Cf. Ps. cxxxix. "Domine probasti."

(75) See "Mem." I. i. 3; "Apol." xii. 13; "Cyrop." VIII. vii. 3.

Then Socrates: All this I well believe, (76) but there is one thing
I would gladly learn of you: What service do you pay the gods, so to
secure their friendship?