Since it was necessary for men to have a God, why did they not have the
sun, the visible God, adored by so many nations? What being had more
right to the homage of mortals than the star of the day, which gives
light and heat; which invigorates all beings; whose presence reanimates
and rejuvenates nature; whose absence seems to plunge her into sadness
and languor? If some being bestowed upon men power, activity,
benevolence, strength, it was no doubt the sun, which should be
recognized as the father of nature, as the soul of the world, as
Divinity. At least one could not without folly dispute his existence, or
refuse to recognize his influence and his benefits.