d the
sun in the center of our planetary system; it is by its very essence,
the substance of which it is composed, that it occupies this place, and
from thence diffuses itself to invigorate the beings who live in these
planets.

XLIV.--NEITHER DOES THE ORDER OF THE UNIVERSE PROVE THE EXISTENCE OF A
GOD.

The worshipers of a God find, especially in the order of the universe,
an invincible proof of the existence of an intelligent and wise being
who rules it. But this order is only a result of motions necessarily
brought on by causes or by circumstances which are sometimes favorable
and sometimes injurious to ourselves; we approve the former and find
fault with the latter.

Nature follows constantly the same progress; that is to say, the same
causes produce the same effects, as long as their action is not
interrupted by other causes which occasion the first ones to produce
different effects. When the causes, whose effects we feel, are
interrupted in their action by causes which, although unknown to us, are
no less natural and necessary, we are stupefied, we cry out miracles:
and we attribute them to a cause far less known than all those we see
operating before us. The universe is always in order; there can be no
disorder for it. Our organization alone is suffering if we complain
about disorder. Bodies, causes, beings, which this world embraces, act
necessarily in the manner in which we see them act, whether we approve
or disapprove their action. Earthquakes, volcanoes, inundations,
contagions, and famines are effects as necessary in the order of nature
as the fall of heavy bodies, as the course of rivers, as the periodical
movements of the seas, the blowing of the winds, the abundant rains, and
the favorable effects for which we praise and thank Providence for its
blessings.

To be astonished that a certain order reigns in the world, is to be
surprised to see the same causes constantly producing the same effects.
To be shocked at seeing disorder, is to forget that the causes being
changed or disturbed in their action, the effects can no longer be the
same. To be astonished to see order in nature, is to be astonished that
anything can exist; it is to be surprised at one's own existence. What
is order for one being, is disorder for another. All wicked beings find
that everything is in order when they can with impunity put everything
into disorder; they find, on the contrary, that everything is in
disorder when th