a thousand times, for rather than themselves, they show the artist who fashioned them. Moreover, the being who did this displays such miracles that nothing at all could be difficult for him. It is as easy for him to write a thousand books as to write one book. Look all around you: he both puts everything in its proper place with perfect wisdom, and he munificently showers the favours on everyone of which they are worthy, and he draws back general veils and opens doors so bountifully that everyone’s desires are satisfied. He sets up tables so generously that a feast of bounties is given to all the people and animals of this land; each group and individual is given bounties particular to it and suitable for it, even. So, is there anything more impossible in the world than that there is anything attributable to chance in these matters that we see, or that among them there is anything purposeless or vain, or that many hands are interfering in them, or that their maker is not capable of everything, or that everything is not be subjugated to him? And so, my friend, find a pretext in the face of these if you can!
Seventh Proof
SEVENTH PROOF
Come, my friend! Now we shall leave these particular matters and turn our attention to the mutual positions of the parts of this wondrous world which is in the form of a palace. Look! Universal works are being carried out and general revolutions are occurring in this world with such order that all the rocks, earth, trees, and everything in this palace observe the universal systems of the world and conform to them as if each were acting with will. Things which are distant hasten to assist one another. Now look, a strange caravan [^10] has appeared, coming from the Unseen. The mounts in it resemble trees, plants, and mountains. Each bears a tray of provisions on its head. And look, they are bringing provisions for the various animals awaiting them on this side. And see, the mighty electric lamp [^11] in that dome both furnishes them with light, and cooks all their food so well that the foods to be cooked are each attached to a string [^12] by an unseen hand and held up before it. And on this side, see these wretched, weak, powerless little animals: how before their heads are attached two small pumps [^13] full of delicate sustenance, like two springs; it is enough for those powerless creatures to only press their mouths against them.
[^10]:These are the caravans of plants and trees, which bear the sustenance of all the animals.
[^11]:The mighty electric lamp indicates the sun.
[^12]:The string, and the food attached to it, are the slender branches of trees and their delicious fruits.
[^13]:And the two small pumps allude to the breasts of mothers.