non liquet

The condition of Scribonius’ text thus raises nagging doubts about the authenticity of “o bone deus.” But even if the digression itself could be accepted as genuine, the situation does not improve, for the near uniqueness of Scribonius’ “o bone deus” makes it vulnerable to any number of possible accidents of transmission. Under these conditions it seems we are forced to set Scribonius aside as a non liquet.