Re: (IVÁN): JUSTICIA

is shown by the existence of so many different
and extravagant customs. It was necessary that truth should come, in order
that man should no longer dwell within himself.

441. For myself, I confess that, so soon as the Christian religion reveals
the principle that human nature is corrupt and fallen from God, that opens
my eyes to see everywhere the mark of this truth: for nature is such that
she testifies everywhere, both within man and without him, to a lost God and
a corrupt nature.

442. Man's true nature, his true good, true virtue, and true religion, are
things of which the knowledge is inseparable.

443. Greatness, wretchedness.--The more light we have, the more greatness
and the more baseness we discover in man. Ordinary men--those who are more
educated: philosophers, they astonish ordinary men--Christians, they
astonish philosophers.

Who will then be surprised to see that religion only makes us know
profoundly what we already know in proportion to our light?

444. This religion taught to her children what men have only been able to
discover by their greatest knowledge.

445. Original sin is foolishness to men, but it is admitted to be such. You
must not, then, reproach me for the want of reason in this doctrine, since I
admit it to be without reason. But this foolishness is wiser than all the
wisdom of men, sapientius est hominibus.[71] For without this, what can we
say that man is? His whole state depends on this imperceptible point. And
how should it be perceived by his reason, since it is a thing against
reason, and since reason, far from finding it out by her own ways, is averse
to it when it is presented to her?

446. Of original sin. Ample tradition of original sin according to the Jews.

On the saying in Genesis 8:21: "The imagination of man's heart is evil from
his youth."

R. Moses Haddarschan: This evil leaven is placed in man from the time that
he is formed.

Massechet Succa: This evil leaven has seven