CHORUS: But fairy tales that scare us humans
are useful for religion.[ΧΟΡΟΣ: φοβεροὶ δὲ βροτοῖσι μῦ-
θοι κέρδος πρὸς θεῶν θεραπεί-
αν.]Euripides (485?-406? BC) Greek tragic dramatist
Electra [Ἠλέκτρα], l. 743ff, Antistrophe 2 (c. 420 BC) [tr. Wilson (2016)]
(Source)
Following recounting of a story in which Zeus made the sun move backwards in the sky to punish Thyestes for his treachery.
(Source (Greek)). Alternate translations:Fresh strength is added to religion's base
By fables which man's breast with terror fill.
[tr. Wodhull (1809)]But tales that frighten men are profitable for service to the gods.
[tr. Coleridge (1891)]But stories terrible to mortals are a gain for the worship of the gods.
[tr. Buckley (1892)]Yet it may be the tale liveth, soul-affraying,
To bow us to Godward in lowly obeying.
[tr. Way (1896)]Once, men told the tale, and trembled;
Fearing God.
[tr. Murray (1905)]Such shocking myths are for the good of men, to frighten them into believing in the gods.
[tr. Theodoridis (2006)]But tales which terrify mankind
are profitable and serve the gods.
[tr. Johnston (2009)]