"If God listened to the prayers of men, all men would quickly have perished: for they are forever praying for evil against one another"

In this quote, Epicurus is expressing his belief that if God were to really listen to the prayers of men, it would cause their destruction. He argues that males are constantly wishing damage and ill will towards one another, which would ultimately lead to their failure. This statement shows Epicurus' view that the principle of a good-hearted and all-powerful God is inconsistent to the truth of human nature. He suggests that if God genuinely existed and intervened on the planet, it would only produce turmoil and destruction due to the self-centered and harmful desires of men. Overall, this quote highlights Epicurus' uncertainty towards the concept of a divine being and the function of prayer in human life.