Soon the sun will set'- is that prophecy? No, it's merely an assertion of faith in the consistency of events.

It is said that water is for cattle and farmers, that milk is for children and blood for men.

To minimize suffering and to maximize security were natural and proper ends of society and Caesar. But then they became the only ends, somehow, and the only basis of law - a perversion. Inevitably, then, in seeking only them, we found only their opposites: maximum suffering and minimum security.

Ask for an omen, then stone it when it comes -- de essentia hominum.

The wild black scavengers of the skies laid their eggs in season and lovingly fed their young. They soared high over prairies and mountains and plains, searching for the fulfillment of that share of life's destiny which was theirs according to the plan of Nature. Their philosophers demonstrated by unaided 15 Animals reason alone that the Supreme Cathartes aura regnans had created the world especially for buzzards. They worshipped him with hearty appetites for many centuries.

But neither infinite power nor infinite wisdom could bestow godhood upon men. For that there would have to be infinite love as well.

That's where all of us are standing now, he thought. On the fat kindling of past sins.