Her independent existence is incompatible with that of the multitude of beings, of limited power and intelligence, which the old mythologies established as lords over the world and man. The gods, abiding in a state of blessed ease and indifference, are themselves dependent on a power infinitely transcending their own. But in what relation does man stand to this power? He too is within her sphere, altogether subject to her, but no special object of her regard. He exists only through compliance with and resignation to her conditions. And these conditions are on the whole unfavourable to him. He can gain only a scanty subsistence by a continual struggle with reluctant and rebellious forces in the earth; and even after all his toil and care, causes over which he has no control, such as the inclemency of the skies and incalculable vicissitudes of heat and cold, frustrate his endeavours.
Quod superest arvi tamen id natura sua vi
Sentibus obducat, ni vis humana resistat
Vitai causa valido consueta bidenti
Ingemere et terram pressis proscindere aratris.
Si non fecundas vertentes vomere glebas
Terraique solum subigentes cimus ad ortus,
Sponte sua nequeant liquidas existere in auras.
Et tamen interdum magno quaesita labore
Cum iam per terras frondent atque omnia florent,