Man alone at the very moment of his birth, cast naked upon the naked earth, does she abandon to cries and lamentations.[717:3]
Natural History. Book vii. Sect. 2.
[[718]]
![[718]](#2001010581228339517_718.png.id-8699630167118461189.wrap-0.html.html){kind=link}
To laugh, if but for an instant only, has never been granted to man before the fortieth day from his birth, and then it is looked upon as a miracle of precocity.[718:1]
Natural History, Book vii. Sect. 2.
Man is the only one that knows nothing, that can learn nothing without being taught. He can neither speak nor walk nor eat, and in short he can do nothing at the prompting of nature only, but weep.[718:2]
Natural History, Book vii. Sect. 4.
With man, most of his misfortunes are occasioned by man.[718:3]
Natural History, Book vii. Sect. 5.
Indeed, what is there that does not appear marvellous when it comes to our knowledge for the first time?[718:4] How many things, too, are looked upon as quite impossible until they have been actually effected?