are stronger, of hinds prettier, of bears
thicker, of beavers softer than ours; that dogs excel us in delicacy of
scent, eagles in keenness of sight, crows in length of days, and many
beasts in ease of swimming. And although nature itself does not allow
some qualities, as for example strength and swiftness, to be combined
in the same person, yet they call it a monstrous thing that men are not
compounded of different and inconsistent good qualities, and call the
gods neglectful of us because we have not been given health which even
our vices cannot destroy, or knowledge of the future. They scarcely
refrain from rising to such a pitch of impudence as to hate nature
because we are below the gods, and not on an equality with them.
How much better is it to turn to the contemplation of so many great
blessings, and to be thankful that the gods have been pleased to give us
a place second only to themselves in this most beautiful abode, and that
they have appointed us to be the lords of the earth! Can any one compare
us with the animals over whom we rule? Nothing has been denied us except
what could not have been granted. In like manner, thou that takest an
unfair view of the lot of mankind, think what blessings our Father has
bestowed upon us, how far more powerful animals than ourselves we have
broken to harness, how we catch those which are far swifter, how
nothing that has life is placed beyond the reach of our weapons! We have
received so many excellencies, so many crafts, above all our mind, which
can pierce at once whatever it is directed against, which is swifter
than the stars in their courses, for it arrives before them at the place
which they will reach after many ages; and besides this, so many fruits
of the earth, so much treasure, such masses of various things piled one
upon another. You may go through the whole order of nature, and since
you find no entire creature which you would prefer to be, you may choose
from each, the special qualities which you would like to be given to
yourself; then, if you rightly appreciate the partiality of nature for
you, you cannot but confess yourself to be her spoiled child. So it is;
the immortal gods have unto this day always held us most dear, and
have bestowed upon us the greatest possible honour, a place nearest to
themselves. We have indeed received great things, yet not too great.

XXX. I have thought it necessary, my friend Liberalis, to state these
facts, both because when