[The Banquet (Il Convito) by Dante Alighieri]@TWC D-Link bookThe Banquet (Il Convito) CHAPTER XX 3/3
For to some, that is, to those who have intellect, who are but few, it is evident that human Nobility is no other than the seed of Happiness That seed of Happiness Falls in the hearts of few, Planted by God within the Souls Spread to receive His dew; that is to say, whose body is in every part perfectly prepared, ordered, or qualified. For if the Virtues are the fruit of Nobility, and Happiness is pleasure or sweetness acquired through or by them, it is evident that this Nobility is the seed of Happiness, as has been said.
And if one considers well, this definition comprehends all the four arguments, that is to say, the material, the formal, the efficient, and the final: material, inasmuch as it says, "to the Soul spread to receive," which is the material and subject of Nobility; formal, inasmuch as it says, "That seed;" efficient, inasmuch as it says, "Planted by God within the Soul;" final, inasmuch as it says, "of Happiness," Heaven's blessing.
And thus is defined this our good gift, which descends into us in like manner from the Supreme and Spiritual Power, as virtue into a precious stone from a most noble celestial body..
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