Alike for soul and for body it is good to labour under
God's sky, and above all to till God's earth and make it fruitful.
For though upon Adam, in whom we all died, was laid as a punishment
that he should eat only that which he had planted in the sweat of
his brow, yet mark, O Basil, that the Creator inflicts no earthly
punishment which does not in the end bear fruit of healing and of
gladness. What perfume is so sweet as that of the new-turned soil?
And what so profitable to health? When the Romans of old time began
to fall from virtue--such virtue as was permitted to those who
knew not God--the first sign of their evil state was the forgotten
plough. And never again can Italy be blessed--if it he the will of
the Almighty that peace be granted her--until valley and mountain
side and many-watered plain are rich with her children's labour. I
do not bid you live in silence, for silence is not always a good
counsellor; but refrain from merely idle speech, and strive, O
Basil, strive with all the force that is in you, that your thoughts
be turned upward. Go now, my son.
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