stint his "good things."

The remark drew forth a peal of laughter from the company, who thought
the speaker hit the truth exactly.

Then some one: It lies with you, Hermogenes, to tell us who your
friends are; and next, to demonstrate the greatness of their power and
their care for you, if you would prove to us your right to pride
yoruself on them.

Herm. That the gods know all things, that the present and the future
lie before their eyes, are tenets held by Hellenes and barbarians
alike. This is obvious; or else, why do states and nations, one and
all, inquire of the gods by divination what they ought to do and what
they ought not? This also is apparent, that we believe them able to do
us good and to do us harm; or why do all men pray to Heaven to avert
the evil and bestow the good? Well then, my boast is that these gods,
who know and can do all things,[72] deign to be my friends; so that,
by reason of their care for me, I can never escape from their
sight,[73] neither by night nor by day, whithersoever I essay to go,
whatsoever I take in hand to do.[74] But because they know beforehand
the end and issue of each event, they give me signals, sending
messengers, be it some voice,[75] or vision of the night, with omens
of the solitary bird, which tell me what I should and what I should
not do. When I listen to their warnings all goes well with me, I have
no reason to repent; but if, as ere now has been the case, I have been
disobedient, chastisement has overtaken me.

[72] Cf. "Mem." I. i. 19; I. iv. 18.