What language can attain to the marvels of the
Creator? What ear could understand them? And what time
would be sufficient to relate them? Let us say, then, with the
prophet, “O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou
made them all.”
Ps. civ. 24. We shall not
be able to say in self-justification, that we have learnt useful
knowledge in books, since the untaught law of nature makes us choose
that which is advantageous to us. Do you know what good you ought
to do your neighbour? The good that you expect from him
yourself. Do you know what is evil? That which you would
not wish another to do to you. Neither botanical researches nor
the experience of simples have made animals discover those which are
useful to them; but each knows naturally what is salutary and
marvellously appropriates what suits its nature.