The Treatises of M.T. Cicero; On the Nature of the Gods on Divination on Fate on the Republic on the Laws and on Standing for the Consulship

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1853. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... ON DIVINATION. [Cicero composed this treatise immediately after that on the Nature of the Gods; the two subjects being indeed very closely connected. lu the first book all kinds of Divination are represented as maintained by his brother Quintus, on the principles of the Stoics.] I. It is an old opinion, derived as far back as from the heroic times, and confirmed hy the unanimous agreement of the Roman people, and indeed of all nations, that there is a species of divination in existence among men, which the Greeks call Jluutucj), that is to say, a presentiment, and foreknowledge of future events. A truly splendid and serviceable gift, if it only exists in reality; and one by which our mortal nature makes its nearest approach to the power of the Gods. Therefore, as we have done many other things better than the Greeks, so, most especially have we excelled them in giving a name to this most admirable endowment, since our nation derives the name which it gives to it, Divination, from the Gods (Divis), while the Greeks derived the title which they gave it, namely, juavruo;, from madness (/jan'a). For that is Plato's interpretation of the word. Now, as for as I know, there is no nation whatever, however polished and learned, or however barbarous and uncivilized, which does not believe it possible that future events may be indicated, and understood, and predicted by certain persons. In the first place the Assyrians, that I may trace back the authority for this belief to the most remote ages and countries, as a natural consequence of the champaign country in which they lived, and of the vast extent of their territories, which led them to observe the heavens which lay open to their view in every direction, began to take notice also of the paths and motion...