nity, to equity; it is the height of iniquity,
the opposite to what causes divine satisfaction.

This contrast is peculiar to the world of man: with other creatures--that
is to say, with nearly all animals--there is a kind of justice and
equality. Thus equality exists in a shepherd's flock and in a herd of deer
in the country. Likewise, among the birds of the prairie, of the plain, of
the hills or of the orchard, and among every kind of animal some kind of
equality prevails. With them such a difference in the means of existence
is not to be found; so they live in the most complete peace and joy.

It is quite otherwise with the human species, which persists in the
greatest error, and in absolute iniquity. Consider an individual who has
amassed treasures by colonizing a country for his profit: he has obtained
an incomparable fortune and has secured profits and incomes which flow
like a river, while a hundred thousand unfortunate people, weak and
powerless, are in need of a mouthful of bread. There is neither equality
nor benevolence. So you see that general peace and joy are destroyed, and
the welfare of humanity is negated to such an extent as to make fruitless
the lives of many. For fortune, honors, commerce, industry are in the
hands of some industrialists, while other people are submitted to quite a
series of difficulties and to limitless troubles: they have neither
advantages, nor profits, nor comforts, nor peace.

Then rules and laws should be established to regulate the excessive
fortunes of certain private individuals and meet the needs of millions of
the poor masses; thus a certain moderation would be obtained. However,
absolute equality is just as impossible, for absolute equality in
fortunes, honors, commerce, agriculture, industry would end in
disorderliness, in chaos, in disorganization of the means of existence,
and in universal disappointment: the order of the community would be quite
destroyed. Thus difficulties will also arise when unjustified equality is
imposed. It is, therefore, preferable for moderation to be established by
means of laws and regulations to hinder the constitution of the excessive
fortunes of certain individuals, and to protect the essential needs of the
masses. For instance, the manufacturers and the industrialists heap up a
treasure each day, and the poor artisans do not gain their daily
sustenance: that is the height of iniquity, and no just man can accept it.
Therefore, laws and r