Chapter III.
For living creatures to adhere to the law of generation imparted by God in the succession of species. It is undeniable that there is truth in the nature of those things which are born: but it is shameful for man to imitate the life of a beast. Finally, there follows an explanation of certain vices, which are familiar to and therefore ought to be avoided by certain animals.
9. Therefore, let us hold fast to the prophetic sayings and not treat the words of the Holy Spirit with contempt. 'Let the earth bring forth living souls of cattle, of beasts, and of reptiles,' it says. Why do we argue otherwise when it is clearly the nature of earthly creatures to be formed? For the Word of God runs through the whole constitution of the world, so that suddenly from the earth all the creatures that God has ordained may come forth, and in the future, according to the prescribed law, they may succeed one another according to their kind and likeness, so that the lion may produce a lion, the tiger a tiger, the ox an ox, the swan a swan, and the eagle an eagle. Once the precept has taken root in nature forever. And therefore, the earth does not cease to offer the service of its ministry, so that the ancient species of animals may be regenerated in a new succession of ages.
But do you want to derive things that are born for the use of humans? Do not deny the truth that is proper to each kind of nature, and even more you will adapt them to human pleasure. First, because nature has thrown down all kinds of livestock, wild animals, and fish into the belly; so you see that some crawl on their bellies, others are supported by their feet, the more quadrupedal have a gait that is more immersed in the earth and it seems as if they are fixed to the ground, rather than free. For indeed, since they do not have the ability to stand erect, they require food from the earth and they pursue only the pleasures of the belly. Beware, oh man! Do not bend like a beast. Beware of being drawn not so much by the body as by desire. Look at the shape of your body and assume a form that is appropriate for lofty strength. Let only animals be inclined to be fed on the ground. Why do you lay yourself low in eating, when nature did not bring you down? Why do you take pleasure in what is against nature? Why do you spend your nights and days focused on food, feeding on earthly things like animals? Why do you dishonor yourself by indulging in physical allurements, while serving your belly and its passions? Why do you take away the understanding that the Creator has given you? Why do you compare yourself to animals, from which God wanted you to be separate, saying: Do not become like the horse and the mule, which have no understanding (Ps. XXXI, 9)? Or if the gluttony of the horse and the intemperance of the mule delight you, and it pleases you to neigh after women, let your jaws be bound by a bit and be confined in a stable. If cruelty feeds you, this is the madness of wild animals, which are slaughtered because of their savagery; see that your own cruelty does not turn into monstrousness within you.
11. The lazy donkey, exposed to prey, and slower in his senses, teaches us nothing else but that we ought to be more lively, and not to become sluggish in laziness of body and mind, and to resort to faith, which has been accustomed to alleviate heavy burdens.
12. Is it not evidence of a useless creature and worthy of hatred due to its stealing, contempt due to its weakness, and therefore unsuspecting of its own safety while it lies in wait for another's?
13. The cunning partridge that snatches the eggs of another, that is, of another partridge, and incubates them with its own body; but it cannot enjoy the fruits of its deceit; because when it brings forth its chicks, it loses them; because when they hear the voice of the one who produced the eggs, they abandon those and naturally and lovingly seek refuge with her, whom they recognize as their true mother through the act of egg generation; signifying that she performs the role of a nurse, while the other is the parent. Therefore, in vain does she pour forth her own labors, and she is punished by the price of her deceit. Hence Jeremiah also says: 'The partridge cried and gathered what it did not hatch' (Jer., XVII, 11), meaning, she gathered eggs and cried out as if triumphing in the effect of her deceit. But she is playing a game; because she brings forth, through great labor, others whom she herself has animated with persistent care. The devil is an imitator of this, who strives to steal the generations of the eternal Creator; and if he is able to gather any foolish and self-absorbed individuals through his power, nourishing them with bodily delights, where the voice of Christ has been infused into little ones, they depart and turn to that mother, who embraces her offspring with a motherly love like a bird. For the devil gathered the pagans, whom he had not created: but when Christ sent out his voice in his Gospel, they especially turned to him, whom he himself received under the shadow of his wings, and gave them to be nurtured by the Mother Church.
14. The lion, proud of his own nature, does not know how to mix with the fierce species of other wild animals: but, like a certain king, he disdains the company of many. He even despises yesterday's food and rejects the remains of his own meal. However, which wild beast would dare to associate with him, whose voice naturally contains such great terror; so that many animals, which could escape his attack through their speed, are astonished and struck down by the roar of his voice, as if by some force?
15. For even the pard's appearance does not keep silent about the various colors of its coat, which indicate the various movements of its own soul. For Jeremiah says: 'Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots?' (Jer. 13:23). This is not only understood about appearance, but also about the mobility of rage; for the people of the Jews, having been discolored by the dark and restless and fickle changes of an untrustworthy mind and soul, can no longer hold onto the grace of good intention, nor can they return to any kind of amendment and correction, once they have put on a bestial savagery.