BOOK XII
10. See things as they really are, analyzing them into Matter, Cause, Objective.[1]
11. What a capacity Man has to do only what God shall approve and to welcome all that God assigns him!
12. Find no fault with Gods for what is the course of Nature, for they do no wrong[2] voluntarily or involuntarily; nor with men, for they do none save involuntarily.[3] Find fault then with none.[4]
13. How ludicrous is he and out of place who marvels at anything that happens in life.[5]
14. There must be either a predestined Necessity and inviolable plan, or a gracious Providence, or a chaos without design or director. If then there be an inevitable Necessity, why kick against the pricks? If a Providence that is ready to be gracious, render thyself worthy of divine succour. But if a chaos without guide, congratulate thyself that amid such a surging sea thou hast in thyself a guiding Reason. And if the surge sweep thee away, let it sweep away the poor Flesh and Breath with their appurtenances: for the Intelligence it shall never sweep away. (15.) What shall the truth that is in thee and the justice and the temperance be extinguished ere thou art, whereas the light of a lamp shines forth and keeps its radiance until the flame be quenched?
16. Another has given thee cause to think that he has done wrong: But how do I know that it is a wrong?[6] And even if he be guilty, suppose that his
