Doth someone say that there are gods above? There are not; no, there are not. Let no fool, Led by the old false fable, thus deceive you. Look at the facts themselves, yielding my words No undue credence: for I say that kings Kill, rob, break oaths, lay cities waste by fraud, And doing thus are happier than those Who live calm pious lives day after day. How many little States that serve the gods Are subject to the godless but more strong, Made slaves by might of a superior army! And you, if any ceased from work and prayed To gods, nor gathered in his livelihood, Would learn gods are not. All Divinity Is built up from our good and evil luck. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...GARDEN FANCIES: 1. THE FLOWER'S NAME by ROBERT BROWNING EPITAPH ON THE LADY MARY VILLIERS [OR VILLERS] (1) by THOMAS CAREW A TRAGIC STORY by ADELBERT VON CHAMISSO ASTRONOMY by ALFRED EDWARD HOUSMAN |