Philosophical Works of Lucius Annaeus Seneca, Vol. 4

—I speak of rains and clouds, and the casting of broken 1 thunderbolts, and fires poured out from the ruptured peaks of mountains 2, tremors of the faltering ground, and other things which a tumultuous part of the natural order moves around the lands—happen without reason, even though they are sudden; but they too have their own causes, no less than those things which are seen as miracles in strange places, such as waters heating up in the midst of the waves 3, and the new expanses of islands leaping forth in the vast sea 4. Indeed, if anyone were to observe the shores being laid bare as the sea recedes, and being covered again within a short time, they would believe that the waves are now drawn back and driven inwards, now erupting and seeking their seat again with great speed, by some blind rotation: when meanwhile they increase in portions, and approach at the hour and day, larger or smaller as the lunar star has drawn them forth, at whose will the Ocean overflows. Let those things be reserved for their own time: all the more so, because you do not doubt Providence, but complain. I shall reconcile you with the gods, who are against the best of men.