6. But let us allow, as you
wish, that the gods are accustomed to such disturbance, and that
sacrifices are offered and sacred solemnities performed to calm it,
when, then, is it fitting that these offices should be made use of, or
at what time should they be given?—before they are angry and
roused, or when they have been moved and displeased even?47974797 If we
must meet them with sacrifices beforetheir anger is
roused, lest they become enraged, you are bringing forward wild
beasts to us, not gods, to which it is customary to toss food, upon
which they may rage madly, and turn their desire to do harm, lest,
having been roused, they should rage and burst the barriers of their
dens. But if these sacrifices are offered to satisfy47984798 the gods
when already fired and burning with rage, I do not inquire, I do not
consider, whether that happy47994799 and sublime greatness of spirit which
belongs to the deities is disturbed by the offences of little men, and
wounded if a creature, blind and ever treading among clouds of
ignorance, has committed any blunder,—said anything by
which their dignity is impaired.