nces caused by it are very great.

Perhaps some one will say, that since the capacity and worthiness of men
differ, therefore the difference of capacity certainly causes the
difference of characters.

But this is not so; for capacity is of two kinds, natural capacity and
acquired capacity. The first, which is the creation of God, is purely
good--in the creation of God there is no evil; but the acquired capacity
has become the cause of the appearance of evil. For example, God has
created all men in such a manner, and has given them such a constitution
and such capacities, that they are benefited by sugar and honey, and
harmed and destroyed by poison. This nature and constitution is innate,
and God has given it equally to all mankind. But man begins little by
little to accustom himself to poison, by taking a small quantity each day,
and gradually increasing it, until he reaches such a point that he cannot
live without a gram of opium every day. The natural capacities are thus
completely perverted. Observe how much the natural capacity and
constitution can be changed, until by different habits and training they
become entirely perverted. One does not criticize vicious people because
of their innate capacities and nature, but rather for their acquired
capacities and nature.

In creation there is no evil; all is good. Certain qualities and natures
innate in some men and apparently blameworthy are not so in reality. For
example, from the beginning of his life you can see in a nursing child the
signs of desire, of anger, and of temper. Then, it may be said, good and
evil are innate in the reality of man, and this is contrary to the pure
goodness of nature and creation. The answer to this is that desire, which
is to ask for something more, is a praiseworthy quality provided that it
is used suitably. So, if a man has the desire to acquire science and
knowledge, or to become compassionate, generous, and just, it is most
praiseworthy. If he exercises his anger and wrath against the bloodthirsty
tyrants who are like ferocious beasts, it is very praiseworthy; but if he
does not use these qualities in a right way, they are blameworthy.

Then it is evident that in creation and nature evil does not exist at all;
but when the natural qualities of man are used in an unlawful way, they
are blameworthy. So, if a rich and generous person gives a sum of money to
a poor man for his own necessities, and if the poor man spends that sum of
mo