Plato, Laws

Athenian
Further, if they do neglect the small and scant things of the All, they will do so either because they know that there is no need at all to care for any such things or—well, what other alternative is there except the opposite of knowing?

Clinias
There is none.

Athenian
Shall we then assume, my worthy and excellent sir, that you assert that the gods are ignorant, and that it is through ignorance that they are neglectful when they ought to be showing care,—or that they know indeed what is needful, yet act as the worst of men are said to do, who, though they know that other things are better to do than what they are doing, yet do them not, [902b] owing to their being somehow defeated by pleasures or pains?

Clinias
Impossible.

Athenian
Do not human affairs share in animate nature, and is not man himself, too, the most god-fearing of all living creatures?

Clinias
That is certainly probable.

Athenian
We affirm that all mortal creatures are possessions of the gods, to whom belongs also the whole heaven.

Clinias
Of course.

Athenian
That being so, it matters not whether a man says that these things are small or great [902c] in the eyes of the gods; for in neither case would it behove those who are our owners to be neglectful, seeing that they are most careful and most good. For let us notice this further fact—

Clinias
What is it?

Athenian
In regard to perception and power,—are not these two naturally opposed in respect of ease and difficulty?

Clinias
How do you mean?

Athenian
It is more difficult to see and hear small things than great; but everyone finds it more easy to move, control and care for things small and few than their opposites. [902d]

Clinias
Much more.

Athenian
When a physician is charged with the curing of a whole body, if, while he is willing and able to care for the large parts, he neglects the small parts and members, will he ever find the whole in good condition?

Clinias
Certainly not.

Athenian
No more will pilots or generals or house-managers, nor yet statesmen or any other such persons, find that the many and great thrive apart from the few [902e] and small; for even masons say that big stones are not well laid without little stones.

Clinias
They cannot be.

Athenian
Let us never suppose that God is inferior to mortal craftsmen who, the better they are, the more accurately and perfectly do they execute their proper tasks, small and great, by one single art,—or that God, who is most wise, and both willing and able to care,