Those whom the gods wish to destroy they first make mad. (Longfellow and plenty of others, including Enoch Powell. It's very well known.)
Dr Johnson: "Quos Deus vult perdere, prius dementat". Was he the first?
Sophocles' Antigone: "τὸ κακὸν δοκεῖν ποτ᾽ ἐσθλὸν τῷδ᾽ ἔμμεν' ὅτῳ φρένας θεὸς ἄγει πρὸς ἄταν" ("Evil appears as good in the minds of those whom god leads to destruction").
Makes me feel pedantic: I think it's Sophocles', not Socrates', Antigone.
ReplyDeleteOh Lor! That mistake. Again. Thank you very much.
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