ation savage nations become civilized, and even the
animals become domesticated. Education must be considered as most
important, for as diseases in the world of bodies are extremely
contagious, so, in the same way, qualities of spirit and heart are
extremely contagious. Education has a universal influence, and the
differences caused by it are very great.

Perhaps someone will say that, since the capacity and worthiness of men
differ, therefore, the difference of capacity certainly causes the
difference of characters.(150)

But this is not so, for capacity is of two kinds: natural capacity and
acquired capacity. The first, which is the creation of God, is purely
good--in the creation of God there is no evil; but the acquired capacity
has become the cause of the appearance of evil. For example, God has
created all men in such a manner and has given them such a constitution
and such capacities that they are benefited by sugar and honey and harmed
and destroyed by poison. This nature and constitution is innate, and God
has given it equally to all mankind. But man begins little by little to
accustom himself to poison by taking a small quantity each day, and
gradually increasing it, until he reaches such a point that he cannot live
without a gram of opium every day. The natural capacities are thus
completely perverted. Observe how much the natural capacity and
constitution can be changed, until by different habits and training they
become entirely perverted. One does not criticize vicious people because
of their innate capacities and nature, but rather for their acquired
capacities and nature.

In creation there is no evil; all is good. Certain qualities and natures
innate in some men and apparently blameworthy are not so in reality. For
example, from the beginning of his life you can see in a nursing child the
signs of greed, of anger and of temper. Then, it may be said, good and
evil are innate in the reality of man, and this is contrary to the pure
goodness of nature and creation. The answer to this is that greed, which
is to ask for something more, is a praiseworthy quality provided that it
is used suitably. So if a man is greedy to acquire science and knowledge,
or to become compassionate, generous and just, it is most praiseworthy. If
he exercises his anger and wrath against the bloodthirsty tyrants who are
like ferocious beasts, it is very praiseworthy; but if he does not use
these qualities in a right way, they are