an island in the Mediterranean, now called Candia, Titus i, 5.
Nature had endowed this island with all that renders man happy; the
inhabitants, likewise, had formerly a constitution which was renowned
and frequently compared with that of the Spartans; but at this time, and
even long before, all, even laws and morals, had sunk very low. The
character of this nation was mutable, prone to quarrelling, to civil
disturbances and frays, to robberies and violences. Avaricious and base
to a degree of sordid greediness, they considered nothing as ignoble
which gratified this inclination. Thence arose their treachery, their
false and deceitful disposition, which had passed into a common proverb.
Even in the times of purer morals they were decidedly addicted to wine;
and their propensity to incontinence was frequently censured and noticed
by the ancients. Religion itself was one cause of the many excesses of
this nation. Many deities were born among them; they also showed their
tombs and catacombs, and celebrated the feasts and mysteries of all.
They therefore had continually holydays, diversions, and idle times, and
one of their native poets (Diodorus calls him Θεολόγος) gave them the
testimony which Paul found to be so true, Titus i, 12. Jews also had
established themselves among them, who according to all appearance could
have improved here but very little in morality. The Apostle seems to
have considered them a more dangerous people than the inhabitants
themselves.
Nature had endowed this island with all that renders man happy; the
inhabitants, likewise, had formerly a constitution which was renowned
and frequently compared with that of the Spartans; but at this time, and
even long before, all, even laws and morals, had sunk very low. The
character of this nation was mutable, prone to quarrelling, to civil
disturbances and frays, to robberies and violences. Avaricious and base
to a degree of sordid greediness, they considered nothing as ignoble
which gratified this inclination. Thence arose their treachery, their
false and deceitful disposition, which had passed into a common proverb.
Even in the times of purer morals they were decidedly addicted to wine;
and their propensity to incontinence was frequently censured and noticed
by the ancients. Religion itself was one cause of the many excesses of
this nation. Many deities were born among them; they also showed their
tombs and catacombs, and celebrated the feasts and mysteries of all.
They therefore had continually holydays, diversions, and idle times, and
one of their native poets (Diodorus calls him Θεολόγος) gave them the
testimony which Paul found to be so true, Titus i, 12. Jews also had
established themselves among them, who according to all appearance could
have improved here but very little in morality. The Apostle seems to
have considered them a more dangerous people than the inhabitants
themselves.