nkind a fate, as never to have felt
the vast generosity of the Gods? Look even at those who complain and are
discontented with their lot; you will find that they are not altogether
without a share in the bounty of heaven, that there is no one upon whom
something has not been shed from that most gracious fount. Is the gift
which is bestowed upon all alike, at their birth, not enough? However
unequally the blessings of after life may be dealt out to us, did nature
give us too little when she gave us herself?

V. It is said, "God does not bestow benefits." Whence, then, comes all
that you possess, that you give or refuse to give, that you hoard or
steal? whence come these innumerable delights of our eyes, our ears, and
our minds? whence the plenty which provides us even with luxury--for it
is not our bare necessities alone against which provision is made;
we are loved so much as actually to be pampered--whence so many trees
bearing various fruits, so many wholesome herbs, so many different sorts
of food distributed throughout the year, so that even the slothful may
find sustenance in the chance produce of the earth? Then, too, whence
come the living creatures of all kinds, some inhabiting the dry land,
others the waters, others alighting from the sky, that every part of
nature may pay us some tribute; the rivers which encircle our meadows
with most beauteous bends, the others which afford a passage to merchant
fleets as they flow on, wide and navigable, some of which in summer
time are subject to extraordinary overflowings in order that lands lying
parched under a glowing sun may suddenly be watered by the rush of a
midsummer torrent?

What of the fountains of medicinal waters? What of the bursting forth of
warm waters upon the seashore itself? Shall I

"Tell of the seas round Italy that flow,
Which laves her shore above, and which below;
Or of her lakes, unrivalled Larius, thee,
Or thee, Benacus, roaring like a sea?"

VI. If any one gave you a few acres, you would say that you had received
a benefit; can you deny that the boundless extent of the earth is a
benefit? If any one gave you money, and filled your chest, since you
think that so important, you would call that a benefit. God has buried
countless mines in the earth, has poured out from the earth countless
rivers, rolling sands of gold; He has concealed in every place huge
masses of silver, copper and iron, and has bestowed upon you the means
of disc