Augustine of Hippo, on Wis 11:20

“Whereof not only the hurt might be able to destroy them, but also the very sight might kill them through fear.”

“I must confess that I do not know why mice and frogs were created, but I nonetheless understand that all things are beautiful in their kind, even if, because of our sins, they seem otherwise to us. Truthfully, I cannot consider the body and limbs of a living being without finding a measure, a proportion and an order that contribute to a harmonious unity. I do not understand where all these properties come from except from that supreme measure and proportion, and that supreme order, that exist in the absolutely perfect, unchanging and eternal essence of God.… When you see in all these beings their measure, their proportion and their order, look for the Creator in them, since you will find none other than the One in whom is supreme measure, supreme proportion and supreme order, that is, God, of whom Scripture says with absolute truth, "You have arranged all things with measure, number and weight." In this way, in the smallness of an ant you may find more reason to praise God than in crossing a river astride a tall beast of burden.”

Imported from an open dataset — not yet checked against the printed edition.

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