But how commodious are the hands which nature has given to man, and how beautifully do they minister to many arts! For, such is the flexibility of the joints, that our fingers are closed and opened without any difficulty.

With their help, the hand is formed for painting, carving, and engraving; for playing on stringed instruments, and on the pipe.

These are matters of pleasure.

There are also works of necessity, such as tilling the ground, building houses, making cloth and habits, and working in brass and iron.

It is the business of the mind to invent, the senses to perceive, and the hands to execute; so that if we have buildings, if we are clothed, if we live in safety, if we have cities, walls, habitations, and temples, it is to the hands we owe them.
By our labor, that is, by our hands, variety and plenty of food are provided; for, without culture, many fruits, which serve either for present or future consumption, would not be produced; besides, we feed on flesh, fish, and fowl, catching some, and bringing up others.