They say that a good thing is found only exceptionally, whilst evil things are numerous and lasting. Not only common people make this mistake, but many who believe they are wise. Al-Razi wrote a well-known book On Metaphysics (or Theology). Among other mad and foolish things, it contains also the idea, discovered by him, that there exists more evil than good. For if the happiness of man and his pleasure in the times of prosperity be compared with the mishaps that befall him – such as grief, acute pain, defects, paralysis of the limbs, fears, anxieties, and troubles – it would seem as if the existence of man is a punishment and a great evil for him. MOSES MAIMONIDES I MADAME! CONSIDER for a moment the world at large. Coming up sun filling in the empty sky. A just so-so morning (really). Greenwich reports the stars of last night succumbed in an ordinary way. Ditto the moon. It will be, by all reports, an ordinary day. As per usual people sleep.
