Volume 1 - Discourses - Books I - II - College of Stoic Philosophers

BOOK I. xv. 7-xvi. 6fruit of even a fig-tree is not brought to perfection allat once and in a single hour, would YOU still seek tosecure the fruit of a man's mind in so short a whileand so easily ? Do not expect it, not even if I shouldtell you so myself.CHAPTER XVIOf providenceMARVEL not that the animals other than man havefurnished them, ready prepared by nature, whatpertains to their bodily needs not merely food anddrink, but also a bed to lie on,, and that they haveno need of shoes, or bedding, or clothing, while weare in need of all these things. For in the case ofanimals, born not for their own sake, but for service,to have created them in need of other thingswas not beneficial. Why, consider what it wouldbe for us to have to take thought not for merelyourselves, but also for our sheep and our asses,how they are to be clothed and shod, how they areto find food and drink. But just as soldiers appealbeforetheir general, allready for service, shod,clothed and armed, and it would be shocking if thecolonel had to go around and equip his regimentwith shoes or uniforms; so also nature has madeanimals, which are born for service, ready for use,equipped, and in need of no further attention.Consequently one small child with a rod can drive aflock of sheep.But as it is, we first forbear to give thanks forthese beasts, because we do not have to bestow uponthem the same care as we require for ourselves, and109