"  But  it  is  evidently  apparent  that  He  who  at
the  beginning  made  man,  _endued  him  with  senses
because  they  were  good  for  him  ;  eyes,  wherewith
to  behold  whatever  was  visible ;  and  ears,  to  hear
whatever  was  to  be  heard ;  for,  say,  Aristodemus,
to  what  purpose  should  odours  be  prepared,  if  the
sense  of  smelling  had  been  denied  ?  or  why  the  dis
tinctions  of  bitter  and  sweet,  of  savoury  and  un
savoury,  unless  a  palate  had  been  likewise  given,
conveniently  placed,  to  arbitrate  between  them  and
declare  the  difference?  Is  not  that  Providence,
Aristodemus,  in  a  most  eminent  manner  conspi
cuous,  which,  because  the  eye  of  man  is  so  delicate
in  its  contexture,  hath  therefore  prepared  eyelids
like  doors,  whereby  to  secure  it. which  extend  of
themselves  whenever  it  is  needful,  and  again  close
when  sleep  approaches?  Are  not  these  eyelids
provided,  as  it  were,  with  a  fence  on  the  edge  of
them,  to  keep  off  the  wind  and  guard  the  eye?
Even  the  eyebrow  itself  is  not  without  its  office,
but,  as  a  penthouse,  is  prepared  to  turn  off  the
sweat,  which,  falling  from  the  forehead,  might
enter  and  annoy  that  no  less  tender  than  astonish
ing  part  of  us. Is  it  not  to  be  admired  that  the
ears  should  take  in  sounds  of  every  sort,  and  yet
are  not  too  much  filled  by  them  ?  That  the  fore
teeth  of  the  animal  should  be  formed  in  such  a
manner  as  is  evidently  best  suited  for  the  cutting
of  its  food,  as  those  on  the  side  for  grinding  it  to
pieces  ?  That  the  mouth,  through  which  this  food
is  conveyed,  should  be  placed  so  near  the  nose  and
eyes  as  to  prevent  the  passing  unnoticed  whatever
is  unfit  for  nourishment ;  while  nature,  on  the  con-


PHILOSOPHY    OF    SOCRATES. 