themselves.[923] This belief in Nature (as the producing and
the sustaining Cause), arising as it does from a mind acting under the
influence of error, brings about the destruction of the person who
cherishes it. Listen now to the truth with respect to these two doctrines
that maintain (1) that things exist by their own nature and (2) that they
flow (in consequence of their own nature) from others that are different
from and that precede them.[924] Wise men apply themselves to agriculture
and tillage, and the acquisition of crops (by those means) and of
vehicles (for locomotion) and seats and carpets and houses. They attend
also to the laying of pleasure-gardens, the construction of commodious
mansions, and the preparation of medicines, for diseases of every kind.
It is wisdom (which consists in the application of means) that leads to
the fruition of purposes. It is wisdom that wins beneficial results. It
is wisdom that enables kings to exercise and enjoy sovereignty although
they are possessed of attributes equal to those of persons over whom they
rule.[925] It is by wisdom that the high and the low among beings are
distinguished. It is by wisdom that the superior and the inferior ones
among created objects are understood. It is wisdom or knowledge that is
the highest refuge of all things.[926] All the diverse kinds of created
things have four kinds of birth. They are viviparous, oviparous,
vegetables, and those born of filth. Creatures, again, that are mobile
should be known to be superior to those that are immobile. It is
consistent with reason that intelligent energy, inasmuch as it
differentiates (all non-intelligent matter), should be regarded as
superior to (non-intelligent) matter.[927] Mobile creatures, that are
innumerable, are of two kinds, viz., those that have many legs and those
that have two. The latter, however, are superior to the former. Bipeds,
again are of two species, viz., those that live on land and those that
are otherwise. Of these, the former are superior to the latter. The
superior ones eat diverse kinds of cooked food.[928] Bipeds moving on
land are of two kinds viz., middling or intermediate, and those that are
foremost. Of these, the middling or intermediate are regarded as superior
(to the former) in consequence of their observance of the duties of
caste.[929] The middling or intermediate ones are said to be of two
kinds, viz., those that are conversant with duties, and those that are
other