Homepage
Newsletter
Search
Updates
About
Adler
Dolhenty
Adventures
Philosophers
Critiques
Glossary
Quotations
Mini-courses
Aquinas
Essays
Philosophy
Politics
Religion
Education
Science
Media
FAQ
Ask
Guestbook
Forum
Bookstore
Emporium
Newsstand
Calendar
Subscribe
Feedback
Tell a friend
Votecaster
Cartoons

Adventures in Philosophy

CLASSICAL ESSAY

Introduction & Directory


Academy Resources

Glossary of Philosophical Terms

Timeline of Philosophy

A Timeline of American Philosophy

Diagram:
Development of Philosophic Thought

Diagram: Divisions of Philosophy

The Philosophy Resource Center

The Religion Resource Center

Books about Philosophy in The Radical Academy Bookstore

Books about Religion in The Radical Academy Bookstore


Click Here for New & Used College Textbooks at Discount Prices

Click Here for College Education Information & Study Resources



Shop Amazon Stores in the Radical Academy

Bookstore
Magazine Outlet
Music Store
Classical Music Store
Video Store
DVD Store
Computer Store
Camera & Photo Store
Computer/Video Games
Software Store
Musical Instruments
Outlet Store
Cellular Phones
Toys & Games
Tools & Hardware
Automotive Store
Outdoor Living
Consumer Electronics
Home & Garden
Kitchen & Housewares
Baby Superstore
Apparel & Accessories
Gourmet Food
Grocery Store
Sporting Goods
Jewelry & Watches
Health & Personal Care
Beauty Store




Fragments

by Xenophanes

 

There is one god, supreme among gods and men; resembling mortals neither in form nor in mind.

The whole of him sees, the whole of him thinks, the whole of him hears.

Without toil he rules all things by the power of his mind.

And he stays always in the same place, nor moves at all, for it is not seemly that he wander about now here, now there.

But mortals fancy gods are born, and wear clothes, and have voice and form like themselves.

Yet if oxen and lions had hands, and could paint with their hands, and fashion images, as men do, they would make the pictures and images of their gods in their own likeness; horses would make them like horses, oxen like oxen.

Ethiopians make their gods black and snub-nosed; Thracians give theirs blue eyes and red hair.

Homer and Hesiod have ascribed to the gods all deeds that are a shame and a disgrace among men: thieving, adultery, fraud.

The gods did not reveal all things to men at the start; but, as time goes on, by searching, they discover more and more.

There never was, nor ever will be, any man who knows with certainty the things about the gods and about all things which I tell of. For even if he does happen to get most things right, still he himself does not know it. But mere opinions all may have.

 

Excerpted from Source Book in Ancient Philosophy.

At Amazon Books

The Cambridge Companion to Early Greek Philosophy



Enrich Your Life With a Philosophy Book...

Enrich Your Life With a Philosophy Magazine...

Academy
Showcase
Specials


   

Introduction & Directory



-- Top of Page --

[Homepage] [Newsletter] [Search] [Support the Academy] [Link to Us] [Contact the Academy] [Citing Articles from Our Website] [Privacy Policy & Disclaimer]

Copyright 1998-99, 2000-01, 2002-03, & 2004 by The Radical Academy. All Rights Reserved.