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What is superstition, and why does it exist?
The following brief passage associates superstition with gullibility, which is asserted to be inherently part of the human condition. But might there be some humans to whom the generalization does not apply?
Line numbers are added to facilitate reference during class discussion or arguments with your roommate.
| 1. If people could have perfect control over their affairs, or always enjoyed good fortune, they would not be superstitious about anything. | Si homines res omnes suas certo consilio regere possent, vel si fortuna ipsis prospera semper foret, nulla superstitione tenerentur. |
| 2. But inasmuch as they are often driven into situations where no there is no guidance, and are left fluctuating miserably between hope and fear by their desire for the uncertain favors of fortune, they are for the most part extremely inclined to credulity. | Sed quoniam eo saepe angustiarum rediguntur, ut consilium nullum adferre queant, et plerumque ob incerta fortunae bona, quae fine modo cupiunt, inter spem metumque misere fluctuant, ideo animum ut pluriumum ad quidvis credendum pronissimum habent; |
| 3. A mind in doubt is easily pushed this way and that, and even more easily when it wavers between hope and fear; although at other times, it is self-confident, boastful, and arrogant. | qui dum in dubio facili momento huc, atque illuc pellitur, et multo facilius, dum spe, et metu agitatus haeret, praefidens alias, jactabundus, ac tumidus. |
| 4. I don’t think anyone is unaware of this, even though I believe most people to be ignorant about themselves. | Atque haec neminem ignorare existimo, quamvis plerosque se ipsos ignorare credam; |
| 5. Nobody can have lived among humans without seeing that most of them, in good times, however ignorant they be, so abound in wisdom that they feel hurt if anyone presumes to offer them advice. | nemo enim inter homines ita vixit, qui non viderit, plerosque in rebus prosperis, etsi imperitissimi sint, sapientia ita abundare, ut sibi iniuriam fieri credant, si quis iis consilium dare velit; |
| 6. But in bad times they don’t know where to turn; they seek counsel from anyone at all; and no recommendation is too foolish, absurd, or vane for them to follow. | in adversis autem, quo se vertant, nescire, et consilium ab unoquoque supplices petere, nec ullum tam ineptum tamque absurdum, aut vanum audire, quod non sequantur. |