by covetousness. For example, a butcher rears a sheep and
protects it; but this righteous action of the butcher is dictated by
desire to derive profit, and the result of this care is the slaughter of
the poor sheep. How many righteous actions are dictated by covetousness!
But the goodwill is sanctified from such impurities.

Briefly, if to the knowledge of God is joined the love of God, and
attraction, ecstasy and goodwill, a righteous action is then perfect and
complete. Otherwise, though a good action is praiseworthy, yet if it is
not sustained by the knowledge of God, the love of God, and a sincere
intention, it is imperfect. For example, the being of man must unite all
perfections to be perfect. Sight is extremely precious and appreciated,
but it must be aided by hearing; the hearing is much appreciated, but it
must be aided by the power of speech; the faculty of speech is very
acceptable, but it must be aided by the power of reason, and so forth. The
same is true of the other powers, organs and members of man; when all
these powers, these senses, these organs, these members exist together, he
is perfect.

Now, today, we meet with people in the world who, in truth, desire the
universal good, and who according to their power occupy themselves in
protecting the oppressed and in aiding the poor: they are enthusiastic for
peace and the universal well-being. Although from this point of view they
may be perfect, if they are deprived of the knowledge and love of God,
they are imperfect.

Galen, the physician, in his book in which he comments on the treatise of
Plato on the art of government,(176) says that the fundamental principles
of religion have a great influence upon a perfect civilization because
"the multitude cannot understand the connection of explanatory words; so
it has need of symbolical words announcing the rewards and punishments of
the other world; and that which proves the truth of this affirmation," he
says, "is that today we see a people called Christians who believe in
rewards and punishments; and this sect show forth beautiful actions like
those which a true philosopher performs. So we all see clearly that they
do not fear death, that they expect and desire nothing from the multitude
but justice and equity, and they are considered as true philosophers."

Now observe what was the degree of the sincerity, the zeal, the spiritual
feeling, the obligation of friendship, and the good actions of a believer