Chapter III: Introduction

If any one gave you a few acres, you would say that you had
received a benefit; can you deny that the boundless extent of
the earth is a benefit? If any one gave you money, you would
call that a benefit. God has buried countless masses of gold
and silver in the earth. If a house were given you, bright with
marble, its roof beautifully painted with colours and gilding,
you would call it no small benefit. God has built for you a
mansion that fears no fire or ruin ... covered with a roof
which glitters in one fashion by day, and in another by
night.... Whence comes the breath you draw; the light by which
you perform the actions of your life? the blood by which your
life is maintained? the meat by which your hunger is
appeased?... The true God has planted, not a few oxen, but all
the herds on their pastures throughout the world, and furnished
food to all the flocks; he has ordained the alternation of
summer and winter ... has invented so many arts and varieties
of voice, so many notes to make music.... We have implanted in
us the seed of all ages, of all arts; and God our Master brings
forth our intellects from obscurity.--SENECA.