Ante-Nicene Fathers/Volume VIII/Pseudo-Clementine Literature/The Clementine Homilies/Homily X/Chapter 24

Chapter XXIV.&#8212;Impotence of Idols.

&#8220;Nor yet is that in harmony with the illustration of C&#230;sar, and of the powers under him, to call them administrators; whereas you take all care of them, as I said, tending your images in every respect.&#160; For they, having no power, do nothing.&#160; Wherefore tell us what do they administer? what do they of that sort which rulers in different places do? and what influence do they exert, as the stars of God?&#160; Do they show anything like the sun, or do you light lamps before them?&#160; Are they able to bring showers, as the clouds bring rain,&#8212;they which cannot even move themselves, unless men carry them?&#160; Do they make the earth fruitful to your labours, these to whom you supply sacrifices?&#160; Thus they can do nothing.