Chapter XVIII.
Just as the raven represents wickedness, so the dove expresses virtue. Noah shows himself always ready to receive it; and by keeping the dove for seven other days, he teaches the patience necessary for correction.
64. Nor is that empty space, which afterwards is sent forth by the dove. For simplicity resolves malice, and virtue dissolves guilt. Therefore, malice loves the flood, and shuns the company of a just mind, and, as if deserted and without any abode, it remains, having no communion with virtue. But virtue returns, loving the company of the just, and, more familiar with usefulness to be bestowed, cautions against things hurtful, instructs in things salutary, just as the dove, being sent forth, when it saw that the water had ceased, returned as if full of righteousness, that it might notify to Him by whom it had been sent, what it should yet beware of, and, by expecting a better fruit, afterwards might possess it. But when the dove does not find its rest, it returns to him, clearly indicating through such birds how great a difference there is between malice and virtue. For when the raven was released, it seemed to be overflowing the flood for some time, but then it was seen to have found a place to settle. And certainly, this raven is not like other birds that are accustomed to dwelling in water. Therefore, when the raven appears to have found where to stay, but the dove has not found it, it is evident that a higher interpretation is being signified, because malice is accustomed to mixing itself with restless passions and desires by which the soul is corrupted, and it delights in them as if they were relatives and household members, and it places its residence there. But virtue, on the other hand, immediately upon being offended by the appearance of the vision, hastened to retreat to the mind and soul of the just, because there is located the safest lodging for it; since, like the dove, it cannot find such a safe station elsewhere. For simplicity often finds refuge late among the cunning of this world, and the waves of worldly desires.
Therefore, just as justice, for the sake of seeing, advances a little while, it hastens to return to the best state of mind and does not depart far from what is right; so too, the just person who is eager for virtue, when they realize that virtue is approaching, opens the embrace of their mind. For what does it mean when a man, desiring virtue, extends his hand and receives it, and brings it into himself? Although this seems clear according to the literal meaning, you will not easily grasp it unless you are familiar with the customary practice of a wise person, who uses wisdom as if it were a lookout and seems to entrust to it the prerogative of investigating and carrying out tasks. Therefore, virtue applies itself to natures in such a way that if it perceives any of them to have potential, it can join with them. For there is a certain common goodness of wisdom, which is both generous and abundant in usefulness; so that it associates itself with those it deems obedient. But when it sees some resist its purpose, it quickly returns to its familiar abode as if to a hospitable home, which the wise and industrious person hastens to embrace as if with a hand of the mind, opening their heart completely to it even when it is absent. For a wise person can never be devoid of their own virtue.
What else does he want for himself who kept a dove for seven days and then let it go, unless it is in order to show that the wise person's greatest desire and purpose is always to associate with others, to correct the wandering, to correct the straying? If he sees someone at the beginning making a mistake, he should not despair of being able to change and correct him. Just as a good doctor, even if it is not the time for medicine, still sends ahead the lookout of a visit; then he does not neglect the watch of rightful expectation, and yielding for a little while to the passions, he waits for the opportunity to heal, which, when it presents itself, he does not neglect his duty: so therefore the wise person, with words and arguments, desires to cure contrary passions, like a doctor wishes to cure diseases. And because in all things the remedy of divine favor must be used; therefore, he waited for seven days in which the whole world is described as finished (Gen. II, 2), and the rest was ministered to the worker; so that from that author the discipline of human operation could be taken.