Moral Letters Vol III

18.

This is what Aristo says; and I shall answer his arguments one by one.

First, in opposition to what he says about one’s obligation to remove that which blocks the eye and hinders the vision.

I admit that such a person does not need precepts in order to see, but that he needs treatment for the curing of his eyesight and the getting rid of the hindrance that handicaps him.

For it is Nature that gives us our eyesight; and he who removes obstacles restores to Nature her proper function.

But Nature does not teach us our duty in every case.