[10]
6. “Why, my dear Quintus,” said I, “you are
defending the very citadel of the Stoics in asserting
the interdependence of these two propositions: 'if
there is divination there are gods,' and,' if there are
[p. 235]
gods there is divination.'1 But neither is granted
as readily as you think. For it is possible that nature
gives signs of future events without the intervention of
a god, and it may be that there are gods without their
having conferred any power of divination upon men.”
To this he replied: “I, at any rate, find sufficient
proof to satisfy me of the existence of gods and of
their concern in human affairs in my conviction that
there are some kinds of divination which are clear
and manifest. With your permission I will set forth
my views on this subject, provided you are at leisure
and have nothing else which you think should be
preferred to such a discussion.”
1 Cf. Cic. N.D. ii. 12.
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