The logic of common sense teaches us that we should judge a cause but by
its effects. A cause can not be reputed as constantly good, except when
it constantly produces good, useful, and agreeable effects. A cause
which produces good at one time, and evil at another, is a cause which
is sometimes good and sometimes bad. But the logic of Theology destroys
all this. According to it, the phenomena of nature, or the effects which
we see in this world, prove to us the existence of an infinitely good
Cause, and this Cause is God. Although this world is full of evils,
although disorder reigns here very often, although men groan every
moment under the fate which oppresses them, we ought to be convinced
that these effects are due to a benevolent and immutable Cause; and many
people believe it, or pretend to believe it!
Everything which takes place in the world proves to us in the clearest
way that it is not governed by an intelligent being. We can judge of the
intelligence of a being but by the means which he employs to accomplish
his proposed design. The aim of God, it is said, is the happiness of our
race; however, the same necessity regulates the fate of all sentient
beings--which are born to suffer much, to enjoy little, and to die. Man's
cup is full of joy and of bitterness; everywhere good is side by side
with evil; order is replaced by disorder; generation is followed by
destruction. If you tell me that the designs of God are mysteries, and
that His views are impossible to understand, I will answer, that in this
case it is impossible for me to judge whether God is intelligent.