474 THE OCTAVIUS OF more evidentthe reasoning,sinceit is not coloured by the pomp of eloquenceand grace; but as itis,itissustainedby the ruleof right. CHAPTER XVII. Argument. — He confessesthat man ought indeed to know himself,but absolutelydeniesthattliisknowledge can be attainedby him unlesshe firstof all acknowledgesthe entire,scopeof things,and God Himself. A nd from the constitutionand furnitureof the world itself,every one endowed with reason holds it as discoveredthai it was establishedby God, and isgovernedand administeredby Him. " Neither do I refuse to admit what Caeciliusearnestlyen deavoured to maintain among the chiefmatters,that man ought to know himself,and to lookaround and see what he is,whence he is,why he is; whether collectedtogetherfrom the elements,or harmoniously formed of atoms, or rather made, formed, and animated by God. And it is thisvery thingwhich we cannotseekoutand investigatewithoutinquiry intothe universe; sincethingsare so coherent,so linkedand associatedtogether,that unlessyou diligentlyexamine into the nature of divinity,you must be ignorant of that of humanity. Nor can you wellperform your socialduty nnless you know thatcommunity of the world which iscommon to all,especiallysincein thisrespectwe differfrom the wild beasts,that while they are prone and tending to the earth, and are born to lookupon nothingbut theirfood,we, whose countenance is erect,whose look is turned towards heaven, as is our converseand reason,whereby we recognise,feel, and imitateGod,1 have neitherrightnor reason to be igno rant of the celestialglory which forms itselfinto our eyes and senses. For it isas bad as the grossestsacrilegeeven, to seek on the ground forwhat you ought to findon high. 1Some read," theLordGod."