Every one is born with a nose and five fingers, and no one is born with a knowledge of God. This may be deplorable or not, but it is certainly the human condition. If God made us in his own image, we have well returned him the compliment. Nature preserves the species, and cares but very little for individuals. To fast, to pray, a priest’s virtue; to succor, virtue of a citizen. When Bellerophon, mounted on Pegasus, wished to ascend to heaven to discover the secrets of the gods, a fly stung Pegasus, and he was thrown. “Why do you receive so many fools in your order?” was said to a Jesuit. “We need saints.” Rousseau [J. B.] having shown his antagonist [Voltaire] his _Ode to Posterity_, the latter said: “My friend, here is a letter which will never reach its address.” If a tulip could speak, and said, “My vegetation and I are two distinct beings, evidently joined together,” would you not mock at the tulip? Why all these pleasantries on religion? They are never made on morality. A fanatic of good faith, always a dangerous kind of man. The consolation of life is to say out what one thinks. ————