294 AUGUSTINE
St. Matthew,from the Lindisfarne
Gospels, before A.D. 698. (The British
Library/SuperStock, Inc.)corner of the cosmos that we fail to perceive the beauty of a total pattern in which the par-
ticular parts, which seem ugly to us, blend in so harmonious and beautiful a way. That is
why, in those situations where it is beyond our power to understand the providence of
God, we are rightly commanded to make an act of faith rather than allow the rashness of
human vanity to criticize even a minute detail in the masterpiece of our Creator.
Although these defects in the things of earth are involuntary and unpunishable, yet,
like voluntary ones, when properly contemplated, they reveal the excellence in the natures
themselves, all of which have God for their Author and Creator. For, in both cases, what
we dislike is the lack by defect of something which we like in the nature as a whole.
Sometimes, of course, natures themselves are displeasing to men because they happen to
be harmful. It is a case of regarding only their utility, not the things themselves, as with the
plague of frogs and flies which scourged the pride of the Egyptians. But, with such rea-
soning, fault could be found even with the sun, since criminals and debtors have some-
times been judicially condemned to solar exposure. It is not by our comfort or
inconvenience, but by the nature considered in itself, that glory is given to its Creator. So,
even the nature of unquenchable fire is, without doubt, worthy of praise, although it is to
serve as a punishment for the damned. Is there anything, in fact, more beautiful than a
leaping, luminous flame of fire? Or anything more useful, when it warms us, heals us,
cooks our food? Yet, nothing is more painful when it burns us. Thus, the same thing
applied in one way is harmful, but when properly used is extremely beneficial. It is all but
impossible to enumerate all the good uses to which fire is put throughout the world.