[Read more…] about Mercury and A TravellerA Traveler bargained safe passage with Mercury for half of any findings. He found nuts and dates and ate both leaving pits and shells for Mercury.
Peoples’ actions toward the gods differ from their words.
Mercury and Tiresias
[Read more…] about Mercury and TiresiasMercury wanted to test Tiresias; he stole some of Tiresias’ oxen and then went to him in human form. Tiresias predicted Mercury could help recover the oxen.
Vanity lives with fortune-tellers.
Jupiter and Fraud
[Read more…] about Jupiter and FraudJupiter had a potion of fraud and hypocrisy made but too much was made and the unused part went to tailors. There’s knavery in all trades; most in tailors.
It is natural to be a knave; men must rise above.
The Seller of Images
[Read more…] about The Seller of ImagesA seller had an image of Mercury and claimed it gave riches. When asked why he was selling he said he needed riches now and not later when the image worked.
When you lie, you often have to expand the lie.
The Man and The Wooden God
[Read more…] about The Man and The Wooden GodA Man prayed to a wooden God to no avail. One day he threw the idol so hard it broke and inside he found coins. Strange way to answer prayers.
People expect religion to give them profit.
The Philosopher, The Ants, and Mercury
[Read more…] about The Philosopher, The Ants, and MercuryA Philosopher saw a shipwreck. While musing on the fate of the vessel a swarm of Ants approach and one bit him. He stomped on them all. Hypocrite.
Act as you profess to believe.