Against Celsus 8.38

Then after this, either having heard no Christian at all, or some lawless and uneducated one among the many, he says that Christians say: “Look, I stand beside the statue of Zeus or Apollo or any god you like, and I blaspheme it and strike it, and it does not avenge itself on me.” He does not see that in the divine legislation it is also commanded, “You shall not revile gods,” so that our mouth may not grow used to reviling anyone, since we hear, “Bless and do not curse,” and are taught that “revilers” will not “inherit the kingdom of God.” And who among us is so foolish as to say such things and not see that such conduct can do nothing to overthrow the belief in those considered gods? For even those who are utter atheists, who deny providence and by their wicked and impious doctrines have produced a school of supposed philosophers, have themselves suffered none of what the many think evils, nor have those who embraced their doctrines, but they are even rich and healthy in body. And if one seeks harm among them, let him see that they are truly the ones who have been harmed. For what greater harm is there than not to perceive the Maker from the order of the world? And what worse misery than to be blinded in mind and not to see the Creator and Father of every mind?