1In the first place, every kind of living creature has been endowed by nature with the instinct to protect itself, its life and its body, to avoid what seems likely to harm it, and to seek out and procure everything needed for living, such as food, shelter and other things of the same kind. 1Common likewise to all living creatures is the desire for union for the sake of procreation, and a certain care for what has been procreated; 1but between man and beast the chief difference is this, that the beast, only so far as it is moved by the senses, adapts itself solely to what is at hand and present, with very little sense of the past or the future; 1man, however, because he shares in reason, through which he discerns consequences, sees the causes of things, is not ignorant of their antecedents and, as it were, their forerunners, compares similarities, and links and connects future things with present ones, easily sees the course of his whole life and prepares what is necessary for living it.
12And the same nature, by the power of reason, unites man to man in a fellowship of both speech and life, implants above all a certain special love for his offspring, and drives him to wish that gatherings and assemblies of men should exist and that he should take part in them, and for these reasons to be eager to provide what may supply comfort and sustenance, not for himself alone, but for his wife, his children and the others whom he holds dear and ought to protect; 12and this concern also rouses men's spirits and makes them greater for action. 13And above all, the search for and investigation of truth is peculiar to man.
13So when we are free from necessary business and cares, then we long to see, to hear, to learn something new, and we consider knowledge of things either hidden or wonderful necessary for a happy life. 13From this it is understood that what is true, simple and pure is most suited to the nature of man. 13Joined to this desire to see the truth is a certain longing for pre-eminence, so that a mind well formed by nature is willing to obey no one except one who instructs or teaches it, or who commands justly and lawfully for the sake of its advantage; 13from this arise greatness of spirit and contempt for human affairs.
14Nor indeed is this a small power of nature and reason, 14that this one creature perceives what order is, what is fitting, and what measure there should be in deeds and words. 14Accordingly, of the very things perceived by sight, no other creature perceives beauty, grace and harmony of parts; 14and nature and reason, transferring this analogy from the eyes to the mind, think that beauty, consistency and order are to be preserved much more still in plans and deeds, and take care that nothing be done in an unseemly or unmanly way, and then that in all opinions and deeds nothing be either done or thought wantonly. 14From these things is forged and produced that which we are seeking, the honourable, which, even if it is not celebrated, is still honourable, and which, as we truly say, even if it is praised by no one, is by nature praiseworthy.