De Natura Deorum

De Natura Deorum (The Nature of the Gods) is a work by Roman orator Cicero written in 45 BC. It is laid out in three "books", each of which discuss the theology of different Roman and Greek philosophers. The book concentrates on criticisms of Stoic and Epicurean theologies.

The book's discussion of probability and chance has been traced as a source of the idea of the infinite monkey theorem, that out of a large set of random events, a seemingly great amount of order might be found.

Quotes

• The consequence of which is that there are many things probable; and although they are not subjects of actual perception to our senses, yet they have so grand and glorious an aspect that a wise man governs his life thereby. (To us, probability is the very guide of life) [Lat., Res enim nulla est, de qua tantopere non solum indocti, sed etiam docti dissentiant; quorum opiniones cum tam variae sint tamque inter se dissidentes, alterum fieri profecto potest, ut earum nulla, alterum certe non potest, ut plus una vera sit.(I, 5)
• We, on the contrary, make blessedness of life depend upon an untroubled mind, and exemption from all duties. (We think a happy life consists in tranquility of mind). [Lat., Nos autem beatam vitam in animi securitate et in omnium vacatione munerum ponimus.] (I, 53)
• Because all the sick do not recover, therefore medicine is not an art. [Lat., Ne aegri quidem quia non omnes convalescunt, idcirco ars nulla medicina est.] (II, 12)
• Things perfected by nature are better than those finished by art. [Lat., Meliora sunt ea quae natura quam illa quae arte perfecta sunt.] (II, 87)
• There never was a great man unless through divine inspiration.^[1] [Lat., Nemo igitur vir magnus sine aliquo adflatu divino umquam fuit.] (II, 167)

Text

Latin Wikisource has original text related to this article:

De natura deorum

• De natura deorum, libri tres (vol. 1) (Cambridge, Univ. Press 1880–1885)
• De natura deorum, libri tres (vol. 2) (Cambridge, Univ. Press 1880–1885)
• De natura deorum, libri tres (vol. 3) (Cambridge, Univ. Press 1880–1885)

Latin text

• M. TVLLI CICERONIS DE NATVRA DEORVM AD M. BRVTVM LIBER PRIMVS
• M. TVLLI CICERONIS DE NATVRA DEORVM AD M. BRVTVM LIBER SECVNDVS
• M. TVLLI CICERONIS DE NATVRA DEORVM AD M. BRVTVM LIBER TERTIVS

References

1. ^ Ballou, Maturin Murray (1871). Treasury of thought. Forming an encyclopædia of quotations from ancient and modern authors.. Boston: J.R. Osgood and Co.. p. 216. http://books.google.com/books?id=C4JZAAAAMAAJ&printsec=titlepage&source=gbs_v2_summary_r&cad=0. 

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