Do you know, my child, why the clouds close themselves when the fields are thirsty for rain, and open when the fields do not wish for rain?
By the crimes of men nature is confounded, and forsakes her order.
Do you know, my child, why the fields bear heavy fruit in spring, yet in summer yield a barren harvest?
Because the daughters of men have also come to hate the fruit of their own womb, and kill it in the blossom.
Do you know, my child, why the springs run dry, and why the fruits of the earth no longer have that sweetness which once they had?
Because of the sin of men, through which infirmity has entered into all nature.
Do you know, my child, why a victorious people suffers defeats from its own discord and division, and eats bread embittered with tears and malice?
Because it conquered the slayers round about itself, but did not conquer them within itself.
Do you know, my child, why a mother feeds her children and cannot feed them full?
Because while suckling them she sings them not a song of love but a song of hatred toward her neighbor.
Do you know, my child, why men have become ugly and have lost the beauty of their forefathers?
Because they cast off the image of God, which from within, from the soul, carves the beauty of the countenance, and drew on the mask of earth.
Do you know, my child, why diseases have multiplied, and dreadful plagues?
Because men have begun to consider health a thing seized from nature and not a gift from God. And what is seized with toil must be defended with double toil.
Do you know, my child, why men fight for the earth, and are not ashamed of their equality with the moles?
Because the earth has grown through their heart, so that their eyes see only what grows in the heart. And because, my child, sin has made them too feeble for the struggle for heaven.
Do not weep, my child; soon the Lord will come and set all things in order.