against apion-第27章
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of him that he laughed at their mysteries。 Protagoras also； who was thought to have written somewhat that was not owned for truth by the Athenians about the gods； had been seized upon； and put to death； if he had not fled away immediately。 Nor need we at all wonder that they thus treated such considerable men； when they did not spare even women also； for they very lately slew a certain priestess； because she was accused by somebody that she initiated people into the worship of strange gods； it having been forbidden so to do by one of their laws； and a capital punishment had been decreed to such as introduced a strange god； it being manifest； that they who make use of such a law do not believe those of other nations to be really gods； otherwise they had not envied themselves the advantage of more gods than they already had。 And this was the happy administration of the affairs of the Athenians！ Now as to the Scythians； they take a pleasure in killing men； and differ but little from brute beasts； yet do they think it reasonable to have their institutions observed。 They also slew Anacharsis； a person greatly admired for his wisdom among the Greeks； when he returned to them； because he appeared to come fraught with Grecian customs。 One may also find many to have been punished among the Persians； on the very same account。 And to be sure Apollonius was greatly pleased with the laws of the Persians； and was an admirer of them； because the Greeks enjoyed the advantage of their courage； and had the very same opinion about the gods which they had。 This last was exemplified in the temples which they burnt； and their courage in coming； and almost entirely enslaving the Grecians。 However； Apollonius has imitated all the Persian institutions； and that by his offering violence to other men's wives； and gelding his own sons。 Now； with us； it is a capital crime； if any one does thus abuse even a brute beast； and as for us； neither hath the fear of our governors； nor a desire of following what other nations have in so great esteem； been able to withdraw us from our own laws； nor have we exerted our courage in raising up wars to increase our wealth； but only for the observation of our laws； and when we with patience bear other losses； yet when any persons would compel us to break our laws； then it is that we choose to go to war； though it be beyond our ability to pursue it； and bear the greatest calamities to the last with much fortitude。 And； indeed； what reason can there be why we should desire to imitate the laws of other nations； while we see they are not observed by their own legislators （27） And why do not the Lacedemonians think of abolishing that form of their government which suffers them not to associate with any others； as well as their contempt of matrimony？ And why do not the Eleans and Thebans abolish that unnatural and impudent lust； which makes them lie with males？ For they will not show a sufficient sign of their repentance of what they of old thought to be very excellent； and very advantageous in their practices； unless they entirely avoid all such actions for the time to come： nay； such things are inserted into the body of their laws； and had once such a power among the Greeks； that they ascribed these sodomitical practices to the gods themselves； as a part of their good character； and indeed it was according to the same manner that the gods married their own sisters。 This the Greeks contrived as an apology for their own absurd and unnatural pleasures。 39。 I omit to speak concerning punishments； and how many ways of escaping them the greatest part of the legislators have afforded malefactors； by ordaining that； for adulteries； fines in money should be allowed； and for corrupting （28） ＇virgins＇ they need only marry them as also what excuses they may have in denying the facts； if any one attempts to inquire into them； for amongst most other nations it is a studied art how men may transgress their laws； but no such thing is permitted amongst us； for though we be deprived of our wealth； of our cities； or of the other advantages we have； our law continues immortal； nor can any Jew go so far from his own country； nor be so aftrighted at the severest lord； as not to be more aftrighted at the law than at him。 If； therefore； this be the disposition we are under； with regard to the excellency of our laws； let our enemies make us this concession； that our laws are most excellent； and if still they imagine； that though we so firmly adhere to them； yet are they bad laws notwithstanding； what penalties then do they deserve to undergo who do not observe their own laws； which they esteem so far superior to them？ Whereas； therefore； length of time is esteemed to be the truest touchstone in all cases； I would make that a testimonial of the excellency of our laws； and of that belief thereby delivered to us concerning God。 For as there hath been a very long time for this comparison； if any one will but compare its duration with the duration of the laws made by other legislators； he will find our legislator to have been the ancientest of them all。 40。 We have already demonstrated that our laws have been such as have always inspired admiration and imitation into all other men； nay； the earliest Grecian philosophers； though in appearance they observed the laws of their own countries； yet did they； in their actions； and their philosophic doctrines； follow our legislator； and instructed men to live sparingly； and to have friendly communication one with another。 Nay； further； the multitude of mankind itself have had a great inclination of a long time to follow our religious observances； for there is not any city of the Grecians； nor any of the barbarians； nor any nation whatsoever； whither our custom of resting on the seventh day hath not come； and by which our fasts and lighting up lamps； and many of our prohibitions as to our food； are not observed； they also endeavor to imitate our mutual concord with one another； and the charitable distribution of our goods； and our diligence in our trades； and our fortitude in undergoing the distresses we are in； on account of our laws； and； what is here matter of the greatest admiration； our law hath no bait of pleasure to allure men to it； but it prevails by its own force； and as God himself pervades all the world； so hath our law passed through all the world also。 So that if any one will but reflect on his own country； and his own family； he will have reason to give credit to what I say。 It is therefore but just； either to condemn all mankind of indulging a wicked disposition； when they have been so desirous of imitating laws that are to them foreign and evil in themselves； rather than following laws of their own that are of a better character； or else our accusers must leave off their spite against us。 Nor are we guilty of any envious behavior towards them； when we honor our own legislator； and believe what he； by his prophetic authority； hath taught us concerning God。 For though we should not be able ourselves to understand the excellency of our own laws； yet would the great multitude of those that desire to imitate them； justify us； in greatly valuing ourselves upon them。 41。 But as for the ＇distinct＇ political laws by which we are governed； I have delivered them accurately in my books of Antiquities； and have only mentioned them now； so far as was necessary to my present purpose； without proposing to myself either to blame the laws of other nations； or to make an encomium upon our own； but in order to convict those that have written about us unjustly； and in an impudent affectation of disguising the truth。 And now I think I have sufficiently completed what I proposed in writing these books。 For whereas our accusers have pretended that our nation are a people of very late original； I have demonstrated that they are exceeding ancient； for I have produced as witnesses thereto many ancient writers； who have made mention of us in their books； wh
