Maxims of Theognis: O Father Jove, would that

O Father Jove, would that it might please the gods, that their insolence should delight sinners; and that this might be agreeable to their mind, namely, that whoso ruthlessly works daring deeds in his heart, nowise standing-in-awe-of the gods, that he, I say, thereafter should atone for his evil deeds; and that the father’s infatuation should not in after-time be a woe to the children. But that children, who, being born of an unjust sire, know and do justice, reverencing thy wrath, O son of Cronus, and from the very first loving the right amongst the citizens, should not pay the penalty for any transgression of their sires. May these things be agreeable to the blessed gods: but now he that commits wicked deeds escapes, and another presently suffers the punishment. Then how, O king of immortals, is it just, that whoso is aloof from unrighteous deeds, holding no transgression, nor sinful oath, but being righteous, should suffer what is not just? What other mortal, too, I pray, when he looks at this man, would afterwards stand-in-awe-of the gods, and entertaining what feeling? When an unrighteous, infatuated man, having avoided the wrath neither of any man nor of the immortals in anywise, doeth wrongs, and is glutted with wealth; whereas the righteous are wasted, being worn out by severe poverty.