Chapter 48 Manus of Pompeii: To a Greek

The Jews and their neighbours, the Fat Nikians, are no more likely than the Arabs to let their gods be at rest in the wind for a moment. They care too much about the divinity of the gods, and care too much whether others observe prayer, worship, and sacrifice. While we Romans build marble temples for the gods, those debate the nature of the gods; we sing and dance around the altars of Vepiter, Juno, Mars, and Venus on happy occasions, and Even in the hour of great joy they will put on sackcloth, anoint their heads with ashes, and even lament the day of their birth. They tormented Jesus, who had manifested God as the God of joy, and finally put him to death.

These people would not rejoice with a god of joy, but only their god of sorrow. Even the friends and apostles of Jesus, who knew his joys and heard his laughter, made an idol of his sorrow, and worshiped it. In such worship, they do not ascend to the realm of divinity, but only allow divinity to condescend to them. And I believe that this philosopher Jesus, who is no different from Socrates, will eventually control his nation, and even other nations. Because we are naturally gloomy and fond of pigs and taboos, when someone shouts to us: "Let us have fun with the gods", we have to be wary of his voice.Oddly enough, this man's pain turned into ritual!

These people wish to find another Adonis who was slain in the forest, and they will celebrate his slaying.It's a pity they didn't notice his laughter. But we Romans have to admit to the Greeks: Have we ever noticed the laughter of Socrates on the streets of Athens?Even in the theater of Dionysus, when have we ever forgotten the goblet of venom? Don't our elders still tell each other's troubles in the streets and corners, and enjoy the happy moments from remembering the tragic ending of all our great men?