Perhaps also the so-called wars among the bees convey instruction as to
the manner in which wars, if ever there arise a necessity for them,
should be waged in a just and orderly way among men. But the bees have
no cities or suburbs; while their hives and hexagonal cells, and
succession of labours, are for the sake of men, who require honey for
many purposes, both for cure of disordered bodies, and as a pure article
of food. Nor ought we to compare the proceedings taken by the bees
against the drones with the judgments and punishments inflicted on the
idle and wicked in cities. But, as I formerly said, we ought on the one
hand in these things to admire the divine nature, and on the other to
express our admiration of man, who is capable of considering and
admiring all things (as co-operating with Providence), and who executes
not merely the works which are determined by the providence of God, but
also those which are the consequences of his own foresight.