Transcriber’s Notes:
The cover image was cleaned up and the title added bydistributed proofreaders. The new image is placed in the public domain.
A Table of Contents has been added by the transcriber.
A complete list of corrections as well as other notes follows the text.
TRANSLATED
WITH
AN INTRODUCTION AND NOTES.
BOSTON:
LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY.
1885.
Copyright, 1885,
By Andrew P. Peabody.
University Press:
John Wilson and Son, Cambridge.
§ 1. The dialogue opens with comments on the cavils againstthe Divine Providence by a person who is supposed to have justdeparted.
2. The alleged encouragement to the guilty by the delay ofpunishment, while the sufferers by the guilt of others aredisheartened by failing to see the wrong-doers duly punished.
3. The guilty themselves, it is said, do not recognizepunishment when it comes late, but think it mere misfortune.
4. Plutarch answers the objections to the course of Providence.In the first place, man must not be too confident of hisability to pass judgment on things divine. There are manythings in human legislation undoubtedly reasonable, yet withno obvious reason. How much more in the administration of theuniverse by the Supreme Being!
5. God by the delay of punishment gives man the example offorbearance, and rebukes his yielding to the first impulses ofanger and of a vindictive temper.
6. God has reference, in the delay of punishment, to thepossible reformation of the guilty, and to the services which,when reformed, they may render to their country or their race.Instances cited.
7. The wicked often have their punishment postponed till afterthey have rendered some important service [iv]in which theyare essential agents, and sometimes that, before their ownpunishment, they may serve as executioners for other guiltypersons or communities.
8. There is frequently a peculiar timeliness andappropriateness in delayed punishment.
9. Punishment is delayed only in appearance, but commences whenthe guilt is incurred, so that it seems slow because it is long.
10. Instances of punishment in visions, apprehensions, andinward wretchedness, while there was no outward infliction ofpenalty.
11. There is really no need that punishment be inflicted;guilt is in the consciousness of the guilty its own adequatepunishment.
12. Objection is made by one of the interlocutors to thejustice of punishing children or posterity for the guilt offathers or ancestors, and he heaps up an incongruous collection