The Wise and Ingenious Companion, French and English; / or, A Collection of the Wit of the Illustrious Persons, Both Ancient and Modern

by Abel Boyer

136

As one was shewing Diogenes the Vows fix’d in one of the Temples of the false Gods, by such as had escaped the Dangers of the Wars, the Sea, or Sickness, this Philosopher, ridiculing their Superstition, answered: There would be a much greater number of them, if those that have perished in those Dangers had sent their Presents instead of those that have been saved from them.

136

Comme on faisoit voir à Diogene les voeux attachez en un Temple des faux Dieux, par ceux qui ètoient échappez aux périls de la Guerre, de la Mer, & de la Maladie, ce Philosophe raillant leur Superstition, répondit: Il y en auroit un bien plus grand nombre, si ceux qui sont peris en ces dangers là avoient envoyé leurs presens, au lieu de ceux qui en ont été delivrez.