Letter of Aristeas

1917 printed page 63 / §§198–203

Printed page 63 Original marginal section labels beginning on this page: §198, §199, §200, §201, §202, §203. The opening continues §197 from the preceding page. have no part in them. But God gives a good courage, and we must beseech Him _for the same._" The king warmly commended him and said that all their answers had been good. " I will put a question to yet one more," _he added,_ "and then I will cease for the present, in order that we may turn our thoughts to the enjoyment _of the feast_ and make merry. And in the following six days I will gain further enlightenment from each in turn of those who remain." (10) Thereupon he asked the man, " What is the true aim of courage ?" And he said, " To carry out right counsels in the hour of danger in accordance with one's purpose. But thy counsels, O king, are good and are all fulfilled by God to thy profit." And when they had all signified their assent with loud applause, the king said to the philosophers, of whom not a few were present, " I think that the virtue of these men is extraordinary and their wisdom profound, seeing that, with such questions propounded to them, they have on the spur of the moment given suitable replies, and have all made God the starting-point of their words." And Menedemus, the philosopher of Eretria,{1} said, "True, O king; for, since the universe is ruled by providence and these men are right in holding that man is a creature of God, it follows that all power and beauty of speech proceed from God." The king assented thereto, and speeches ceased, and they gave themselves up to festivity. And when evening drew in, the party broke up. On the following day the guests again took their places and the banquet proceeded in the same order. When the king thought that the time had come to put TRANSLATOR’S NOTES (1917) — printed page 63 {1} See Introduction, p. ix.