37. Since these things are so, and since there is so great difference between1709 Lit., “of.” [Cap. 29, p. 529, supra.] our opinions and yours, where are we, on the one hand, impious, or you pious, since the decision as to1710 Lit., “of.” [Cap. 29, p. 529, supra.] piety and impiety must be founded on the opinions of the two parties? For he who makes himself an image which he may worship for a god, or slaughters an innocent beast, and burns it on consecrated altars, must not be held to be devoted to religion.1711 Lit., “divine things.” Opinion constitutes religion, and a right way of thinking about the gods, so that you do not think that they desire anything contrary to what becomes their exalted position, which is manifest.1712 So the ms., both Roman edd., Hild., and Oehler, reading promptæ; corrected præsumptæ—“taken for granted,” in the rest. For since we see all the things which are offered to them consumed here under our eyes, what else can be said to reach them from us than opinions worthy of the gods, and most appropriate to their name? These are the surest gifts, these true sacrifices; for gruel, incense, and flesh feed the devouring flames, and agree very well with the parentalia1713 i.e., offerings to parents, as the name implies, and other relatives who were dead. of the dead.
XXXVII. (Oberth. XL.) Sed neque illud aeque nos negabimus scire, temporibus quondam civitatis et reipublicae duris, vel quae lues infesta faciebat continua populum contage conficiens: vel quae hostes validi, et ad periculum libertatis auferendae praeliorum prosperitate jam proximi: jussis et monitis vatum, transmarinis ex gentibus quosdam deos accitos, magnificisque honoratos templis, et luis sedasse flagrantiam, et viribus hostium fractis frequentissime triumphatum, et auctos imperii fines, innumerasque provincias sub leges vestri cecidisse dominatus. Sed 1273C neque hoc nostram conscientiam fugit, lectum et positum, 1274A ictum cum esset Capitolium fulmine, multaque in hoc alia: Jovis etiam simulacrum, sublimi quod in culmine stabat, suis esse ab sedibus provolutum. Responsum deinde ab haruspicibus editum, res saevas tristissimasque portendi, ab incendiis, caedibus, ab legum interitu, et ab juris occasu, maxime tamen ab domesticis hostibus, atque ab impia conjuratorum manu. Sed flecti haec posse, immo aliter publicari scelerata non posse consilia, nisi Jupiter rursus altiore in culmine figeretur, orientalem conversus ad cardinem, radiisque oppositus solis. Affuisse dicto fidem: nam subrecto culmine conversoque ad solem signo, patuisse res abditas, et reserata in maleficia vindicatum.