And I will send hunger on them and will cause people and beast to die.^[1] How can I proclaim publicly such profound truths? From where will I receive help that I might make you understand how the earth is touched by hunger and fruitfulness, by abundance and poverty? O the depths of the riches, the wisdom and the knowledge of God!^[1] Hunger perhaps comes because of people and because of the wickedness of souls. Or perhaps it is the fault of the angels to whom the things of the earth were entrusted^[2] that the things we see happen take place, if they commit sin. If some are set up as instruments of heavenly providence, but they themselves become interested in the fruits, then the earth’s sterility is probably also due to them. The greater part of his works are hidden. We cannot speak of the greatness of wisdom. Who has counted the sands of the sea, the raindrops, the days of the ages? The height of the heavens, the wideness of the earth, the depths of the wisdom of God.^{[3] [4]}

There is the story of the man who asked another where he thought God could be found, and the other responded, Run close behind me! So he ran behind him, until they came to a wide desert. The guide then showed him the peace of that vast solitude^[1] and said, Here is where God is! And indeed, is it not right to think that God would be more easily reachable there? Even at the beginning of time, when God made all things with wisdom, adapting them one by one for future needs,^[2] he in no way left this part of the world useless and without importance. Indeed, since he created everything not only because he felt generous at that moment but especially because he already knew the future, he provided solitary places. I think he did this for the saints who would frequent them—this is how I see it. God wanted to give the places that are rich in fruit to others and to the saints, instead of those more generous lands, this fruitful one. In this way the deserts would also become fertile, and the valleys would be covered with abundant crops,^[3] while he from on high would water the mountains,^[4] thus remedying the unproductiveness of those places, filling a barren place with inhabitants.

Do not touch his soul,^[1] which was created in the image of God,^[2] impregnated with incorruptible wisdom, crowned with speech and knowledge, clothed with the knowledge of God, receiving the honor of dominion over this corruptible world and attaining on earth a glory a little less than the angels.^[3]