13
No, Hermes, that you gods have suffered no wrong through me and my works is self-evident; come, show me even one wrong of the smallest sort, and I will hold my tongue and own that I have had the treatment that I deserved at your hahds.
14
On the contrary, that my creation has been actually of service to the gods you will learn if you notice that the whole earth is no longer barren and unbeautiful but adorned with cities and tilled lands and cultivated plants, that the sea is sailed and the islands are inhabited, and that everywhere there are altars and sacrifices, temples and festivals, and full of God are all the streets And all the marts of men. Aratus, Phaenomena2-3. If I had made men to keep just for myself, I should be selfish, no doubt; but as the case stands I have contributed them to the general fund for your benefit. In fact, there are temples to Zeus, to Apollo, to Hera and to you, Hermes, in sight everywhere, but nowhere any to Prometheus. You see how I look out for my own interests, but betray and injure those of the community!
15
Moreover, Hermes, please consider this point too— do you think that any choice thing unattested, something that you get or make, for instance, which nobody is going to see or to praise, will give quite as much joy and pleasure to its owner? Why did I ask that question? Because if men had not been created, it would follow that the beauty of the universe would be unattested and it would be our lot to possess wealth, so to speak, which no one else would admire and we ourselves would not prize so highly; for we should have nothing else to compare it with, and we should not realise how happy we were if we did not see others who did not have what we have. What is great, you know, can only seem great if it is gauged by something small. You should have honoured me for that stroke of policy, but you have crucified me and have given me this return for my plan.
