Commodian — Instructiones 69

Time demands that I alone tell you the truth. From one man always is moved what many pull down. In me alone I want to turn your hatreds, that everyone’s hearts may rest from such rumor. Look at the saying — that truth removes hatreds. I already foretold how great the matter of deceitful peace is! By flattering you, Eve’s seducer crept in. Because you do not know, you have fallen like a snare; you utterly drink in that very air of the age. No one for whom you intercede will act for nothing; who flees from the fire drives on in your vortex. Then the wretched man stripped by you seeks help again: the judges themselves already shudder at your greed. On a shorter title I would plow among you. You look at those to whom you show yourselves willingly; with them you also take feasts and you feed them. For that you are already almost preparing the earth’s foundations.