Chapter V. They Utter Lying Prophecies

[PORPHYRY] [1] ‘But further, the exact knowledge of the course of the stars, and the consequences dependent on them, is unattainable by men, and not by them only, but also by some of the daemons. Hence when consulted they speak falsely on many matters.’

To this again he adds:

‘Also, they say, it is the surrounding atmosphere that compels the oracles to be falsified, and not that the deities present willingly add the falsehood. For they often declare beforehand that they are going to speak falsely: but the inquirers persist, and compel them to speak, because of their folly. Apollo, for instance, once upon a time, when the condition of the atmosphere was, as we stated, unfavourable, said:

“Cease from these words of power, lest I speak false.”

‘And that what I was saying is true, will be shown by the oracles.

‘For example, one of the gods when invoked made answer:

“To tell the constellations’ sacred course This day befits not; all prophetic power Lies bound and fettered in the silent stars.”’

And he adds:

‘It is shown therefore whence the falsehood often arises.’