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

180

The Tyrant Hiero having asked Simonides what God was? the Philosopher desir’d a Days Consideration for his Answer; then two, and then four, and so put it off from Day to Day: At last Hiero ask’d him why he did not answer his Question, but always defer’d it to another time? because said Simonides the more I think, the more I’m at a loss to find out this dark and obscure Thing.

180

Le Tyran Hieron ayant demandé à Simonide ce que c’ètoit que Dieu, ce Philosophe prit un jour de delay pour y répondre; puis deux, ensuite il en demanda quatre, & ainsi differoit toûjours. Hieron à la fin luy demanda pourquoy il ne répondoit pas, & qu’il le remettoit toûjours à un autre temps? parce que, répondit Simonides, plus j’y pense, plus je m’y perds, & trouve la chose obscure.