Chapter 4.—Even the Soul of a Fly is More Excellent Than the Light.
4. And here, if perchance in their confusion they had inquired of me whether I thought
that the soul even of a fly198 surpasses that light, I should have replied, yes, nor should it
have troubled me that the fly is little, but it should have confirmed me that it is alive. For
it is inquired, what causes those members so diminutive to grow, what leads so minute a
body here and there according to its natural appetite, what moves its feet in numerical order
when it is running, what regulates and gives vibration to its wings when flying? This thing
whatever it is in so small a creature towers up so prominently to one well considering, that
it excels any lightning flashing upon the eyes.
198 Neither Augustin nor the Manichæans seem to have recognized the distinction in kind between the human
soul and animal life.—A.H.N.
Even the Soul of a Fly is More Excellent Than the Light.
164
Even the Soul of a Fly is More Excellent Than the Light.