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For at what stage would that passion rest when once it has lodged in a
proud spirit, until by a succession of advances it has reached even the
throne. And to obtain such advances nothing avails but unscrupulous
ambition. But unscrupulous ambition has nothing to work upon, save in
a nation corrupted by avarice and luxury. Moreover, a people becomes
avaricious and luxurious by prosperity; and it was this which that very
prudent man Nasica was endeavouring to avoid when he opposed the
destruction of the greatest, strongest, wealthiest city of Rome's
enemy. He thought that thus fear would act as a curb on lust, and
that lust being curbed would not run riot in luxury, and that luxury
being prevented avarice would be at an end; and that these vices being
banished, virtue would flourish and increase the great profit of the
state; and liberty, the fit companion of virtue, would abide
unfettered. For similar reasons, and animated by the same considerate
patriotism, that same chief pontiff of yours, I still refer to him
who was adjudged Rome's best man without one dissentient voice, threw
cold water on the proposal of the senate to build a circle of seats
round the theatre, and in a very weighty speech warned them against
allowing the luxurious manners of Greece to sap the Roman manliness,
and persuaded them not to yield to the enervating and emasculating
influence of foreign licentiousness. So authoritative and forcible
were his words, that the senate was moved to prohibit the use even of
those benches which hitherto had been customarily brought to the theatre
for the temporary use of the citizens. How eagerly would such a man as
this have banished from Rome the scenic exhibitions themselves, had he
dared to oppose the authority of those whom he supposed to be gods!
For he did not know that they were malicious devils; or if he did, he
supposed they should rather be propitiated than despised. For there
had not yet been revealed to the Gentiles the heavenly doctrine which
should purify their hearts by faith, and transform their natural
disposition by humble godliness, and turn them from the service of
proud devils to seek the things that are in heaven, or even above the
heavens.
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