On man when he came into life the Father conferred the seeds of all kinds and the germs of every way of life.

Whatever seeds each man cultivates will grow to maturity and bear in him their own fruit. If they be vegetative, he will be like a plant.

But, when the work was finished, the Craftsman kept wishing that there were someone to ponder the plan of so great a work, to love its beauty, and to wonder at its vastness.

It was not the part of His kindly love that he who was to praise God's divine generosity in regard to others should be compelled to condemn it in regard to himself.

The Pythagoreans degrade impious men into brutes and, if one is to believe Empedocles, even into plants.

For why should we not admire more the angels themselves and the blessed choirs of heaven?

To [man] it is granted to have whatever he chooses, to be whatever he wills.