140 l/-21 to l/-23
This entire cosmos which revolves around the earth obeys
you,
wherever you might lead it, and is willingly ruled by you;
such is [the might of] your thunderbolt, a two-edged helper
in your invincible hands, fiery and everliving;
for by its blows all deeds in nature are <accomplished>.
By it you straighten the common rational principle which
penetrates
all things, being mixed with lights both great and small.
By it you have become such a lofty power and king forever.
Nor does any deed occur on earth without you, god,
neither in the aithereal divine heaven nor on the sea,
except for the deeds of the wicked in their folly.
But you know how to set straight what is crooked,
and to put in order what is disorderly; for you, what is not
dear is dear.
For thus you have fitted together all good things with the
bad,
so that there is one eternal rational principle for them all-
and it is this which the wicked flee from and neglect,
ill-fated, since they always long for the possession of good
things
and do not see the common law of god, nor do they hear it;
and if they obeyed it sensibly they would have a good life.
But fools they be, impelled each to his own evil,
some with a strife-torn zeal for glory,
others devoted to gain in undue measure,
others devoted to release and the pleasures of the body.... they are swept off in pursuit of different things at
different times
while rushing to acquire the exact opposites of these things
above all.
But Zeus, giver of all, you of the dark clouds, of the blazing
thunderbolt,
save men from their baneful inexperience
and disperse it, father, far from their souls; grant that they
may achieve
the wisdom with which you confidently guide all with justice
so that we may requite you with honour for the honour you
give us
praising your works continually, as is fitting
for mortals; for there is no greater prize, neither for mortals