Tertullian · a new plain-English translation from the original language
[1] But since the conduct proper to divine discipline is put at risk not only by deeds but also by words — for as Scripture has it, "Look upon this man and what he has done," and again, "Your own words will justify you" — we must remember that in words too an incursion of idolatry must be guarded against, whether it creeps in through the fault of habit or through timidity. [2] The law does not, to be sure, forbid the naming of the gods of the nations: we may pronounce their names, since ordinary speech wrings this from us when we must say such things. For it must often be said: "You'll find him at the temple of Aesculapius," or "I live in the quarter of Isis," or "he was made a priest of Jupiter," and many other things of this kind, since names of this sort are even given to human beings. For I do not honor Saturn merely by calling someone by that name — no more than I honor a man named Mark by calling him Mark. [3] But it is said: "Let not the name of other gods be so much as mentioned by you, nor heard from your mouth." By this we are forbidden to style them gods at all. For earlier still, in that same law's opening section, we read, "You shall not utter the name of the Lord your God to no purpose" — meaning, over an idol. Thus whoever pays a graven image the honor due to God's name has slipped into idol-worship. [4] But if we must speak of "gods," some qualifier needs attaching, to show clearly that it is not I who am styling them gods on my own account. For Scripture too names "gods," but adds "their own" or "of the nations" — as David, after naming gods, states elsewhere, "the deities of the heathen are but devils." But I have laid this down chiefly in preparation for what follows. [5] For the rest, it is a fault of habit, by Hercules, to say "Mehercule," and "Medius Fidius," aggravated by the ignorance of some who do not even know that this is swearing by Hercules. Further, what will swearing falsely by those you have forsworn amount to, but a betrayal of faith compounded with idolatry? For who does not honor those by whom he swears?
XXI.