It is proper to invoke God in the beginning both of supper and
dinner, not because he is in want of any thing of this kind, but in
order that the soul may be adorned by the recollection of Divinity.
For since we proceed from him, and participate of a divine nature, it
is requisite that we should honour him. And since God also is just,
it is fit that we should act justly in all things. In the next place,
there are four causes which terminate all things, and bring them
to an end, viz. nature, law, art, and fortune. And nature, indeed,
is universally the principle of all things. But of those things
which from manners lead to political concord, law is the inspective
guardian and fabricator. Of things which obtain their consummation
through human prudence, art is justly said to be the mother and
leader. And of those things which, casually and accidentally,
similarly befall the worthy and the depraved, we assert fortune to
be the cause. For fortune does not produce any thing in measure and
bound, in an orderly and prudent manner.