9. What then? you say; do
you declare that these gods exist nowhere in the world, and have been
created by unreal fancies? Not we alone, but truth itself, and
reason, say so, and that common-sense in which all men share. For
who there who believes that there are gods of gain, and that they
preside over the getting of it, seeing that it springs very often from
the basest employments, and is always at the expense of others?
Who believes that Libentina, who that Burnus,41264126 is set over those lusts which
wisdom bids us avoid, and which, in a thousand ways, vile and filthy
wretches41274127 attempt and
practise? Who that Limentinus and Lima have the care of
thresholds, and do the duties of their keepers, when every day we see
the thresholds of temples 479and private houses destroyed and
overthrown, and that the infamous approaches to stews are not without
them? Who believes that the Limi41284128 watch over obliquities? who that
Saturnus presides over the sown crops? who that Montinus is the
guardian of mountains; Murcia,41294129 of the slothful? Who, finally,
would believe that Money is a goddess, whom your writings declare, as
though she were the greatest deity, to give golden
rings,41304130 the front seats
at games and shows, honours in the greatest number, the dignity of the
magistracy, and that which the indolent love most of all,—an
undisturbed ease, by means of riches.