KNOWLEDGE

The gods did not enrich man
with a knowledge of all things
from the beginning of life . . .
Yet man seeks, and in time
invents what may be better . . .

The truth is that no man ever was or will be
who understands the gods and all I speak of.
If you stumble on some rocks of the whole truth
you never know it. There is always speculation.

translated by Willis Barnstone (1962)

THE NATURE OF THE GODS

Man made his gods, and furnished them
with his own body, voice and garments . . .
If a horse or lion or a slow ox
had agile hands for paint and sculpture,
the horse would make his god a horse,
the ox would sculpt an ox . . .
Our gods have flat noses and black skins
say the Ethiopians. The Thracians say
our gods have red hair and hazel eyes.

translated by Willis Barnstone (1962)