Celsus and Arnobius’s opponents: statues are dedications and social bridles, not gods with sense
Celsus: only a fool thinks the polished metal is God—statues are dedications to gods.
Arnobius’s pagan spokesmen: ancients knew signs lack sense; images bridle the crowd toward civil virtue under felt divine presence.
Latin
XLVIII. Id saepius Protestatur Celsus apud Origenem praecipue lib. 7. Ubi postquam dixit ridiculam esse sapientiam, si quis contemnat statuas, ideo quod lapis, aut lignum, aut aes, aut aurum, ab hoc vel illo expolita, non sit Deus, subjungit: Quis enim alius, nisi sit totus fatuus, has Deos credit, non Diis dedicatas statuas? Et similiter, Arnobio teste lib. 6. adversus Gentes, illud dicere simulachrorum assertores solebant, Non ignorasse antiquos nihil habere numinis signa, neque ullum omnino inesse his sensum; sed propter indomitum atque imperitum vulgus, salutariter ea consilioque formasse, ut velut quadam specie objecta his numinum, abjicerent asperitatem metu; arbitratique praesentibus sese sub Diis agere, facta impia deponerent, & ad humana officia, morum immutatione transirent.