The Goods And The Ills
All the Goods were once driven out by the Ills from that common share
which they each had in the affairs of mankind; for the Ills by reason
of their numbers had prevailed to possess the earth. The Goods wafted
themselves to heaven and asked for a righteous vengeance on their
persecutors. They entreated Jupiter that they might no longer be associated
with the Ills, as they had nothing in common and could not live together,
but were engaged in unceasing warfare; and that an indissoluble law
might be laid down for their future protection. Jupiter granted their
request and decreed that henceforth the Ills should visit the earth
in company with each other, but that the Goods should one by one enter
the habitations of men. Hence it arises that Ills abound, for they
come not one by one, but in troops, and by no means singly: while
the Goods proceed from Jupiter, and are given, not alike to all, but
singly, and separately; and one by one to those who are able to discern
them.
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