Book 2
12
Euripides says that it is possible that Those who with humble gifts approach the gods, May often holier be, than those who load The groaning altars with whole hecatombs; and the word τέλος, which he employs in the first line, means sacrifice. And Homer uses the same word when he says— God holds no sacrifice in more esteem, Than hearts where pious joy and pleasure beam.Odyss. ix. 6. And we call those festivals which are of greater magnitude and which are celebrated with certain mysterious traditions, τελεταὶ, on account of the expense which is lavished on them. For the word τελέω means to spend. And men who spend a great deal are called πολυτελεῖς, and those who spend but little are called εὐτελεῖς. Alexis says— Those who with fair prosperity are bless'd, Should always keep themselves before the world; Glad to display the bounty of the gods. For they, the givers of all good, deserve A holy gratitude; and they will have it. But if, when they their gifts have shower'd, they see The objects of their bounty live like churls, Useless to all around them; who can wonder If they recall what seems so ill bestow'd?
13
A man is not fond of wine who has been used from his earliest years to drink water. But— 'Tis sweet, at a banquet or festival meeting, To chat o'er one's wine, when the guests have done eating, says Hesiod in his Melampodia.
