Page:The stoic philosophy; (IA stoicphilosophy01murr).pdf/41

Rh translate by “Nature,” but which seems to mean more exactly “growth,” or “the process of growth.” It is Phusis which gradually shapes or tries to shape every living thing into a more perfect form. It shapes the seed, by infinite and exact gradations, into the oak; the blind puppy into the good hunting dog; the savage tribe into the civilized city. If you analyze this process, you find that Phusis is shaping each thing towards the fulfilment of its own function that is, towards the good. Of course Phusis sometimes fails; some of the blind puppies die; some of the seeds never take root. Again, when proper development has been reached, it is generally