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Leibniz - On adversity
Identifier
020572
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
A description of the experience
L Loemker – ed Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz: Philosophical papers and letters 2 volumes 1956
As for the afflictions, especially of good men, however, we must take it as certain that these lead to their greater good and that this is true not only theologically but also naturally. So a seed sown in the earth suffers before it bears fruit.
In general, one may say that, though afflictions are temporary evils, they are good in effect, for they are short cuts to greater perfection. So in physics the liquids which ferment slowly also are slower to settle, while those in which there is a stronger disturbance settle more promptly, throwing off impurities with greater force. We may well call this stepping back in order to spring forward with greater force. . . .
from Theodicy
Evil often serves to make us savour good the more; sometimes too it contributes to a greater perfection in him who suffers it, as the seed that one sows is subject to a kind of corruption before it can germinate. This is a beautiful similitude which Jesus himself used.