Our Natural Faults Do Not Wrong the Creator

If, then, we say that these impulses were planted in us by the Creator, he will not on that account seem to be at fault if we choose to misuse them wrongly and twist them to harmful ends: if we are ready to be made sorry over the useless gains of this world, and not by way of penitence and the correcting of our faults; or at least if we are angry, not with ourselves, which would be profitable, but with our brothers, in defiance of God’s command. Take iron, which is given us for good and useful purposes. If someone twisted it to murder the innocent, no one would therefore blame the maker of the metal because man had used to injure others what he had provided for the good and useful purposes of a happy life.