7. But why should I say that men seek from him subtleties of expression and splendour of diction, when I know that there are many who avoid and flee from his books on this subject, and will not hear his opinions read,703    Lit., “are unwilling to admit into their ear the reading of opinions,” etc. overthrowing their prejudices; and when I hear others muttering angrily, and saying that the senate should decree the destruction704    Both Christians and heathen, it is probable, were concerned in the mutilation of de Nat. Deorum. of these writings by which the Christian religion is maintained, and the weight of antiquity overborne? But, indeed, if you are convinced that anything you say regarding your gods is beyond doubt, point out Cicero’s error, refute, rebut his rash and impious words,705    So Gelenius, reading dicta for the ms. dictitare. The last verb is comprobate, read reprobate—“condemn,” by all edd. except Hild. and Oehler.and show that they are so. For when you would carry off writings, and suppress a book given forth to the public, you are not defending the gods, but dreading the evidence of the truth.

0945B VII. Sed quid aucupia verborum, splendoremque sermonis peti ab hoc dicam, cum sciam esse non paucos, qui aversentur et fugiant libros de hoc ejus, nec in aurem velint admittere lectionem opinionum suarum praesumpta vincentem? cumque alios audiam mussitare indignanter, et dicere: oportere statui per 0946A senatum, aboleantur ut haec scripta, quibus christiana religio comprobetur, et vetustatis opprimatur auctoritas? Quinimmo si fiditis exploratum vos dicere quidquam de diis vestris, erroris convincite Ciceronem, temeraria et impia dicta re refellitote, redarguite, reprobate. Nam intercipere scripta, et publicatam velle submergere lectionem, non est deos defendere, sed veritatis testificationem timere.