A rational soul has natural powers and privileges. It can see itself clearly. It can control and organize itself. It shapes itself however it wants. And it enjoys its own fruits, while plants and trees and unreasoning creatures give their fruits to others, not themselves. Also, whenever and wherever life ends — sooner or later — the soul reaches its own completion. The soul is not like dancers or actors who, if interrupted, leave their performance unfinished. No matter when or where the soul is cut short, it can make whatever it has in hand complete and whole. So it can leave with comfort, saying: 'I have lived. I lack nothing that truly belonged to me.'
The natural properties, and privileges of a reasonable soul are: That she seeth herself; that she can order, and compose herself: that she makes herself as she will herself: that she reaps her own fruits whatsoever, whereas plants, trees, unreasonable creatures, what fruit soever (be it either fruit properly, or analogically only) they bear, they bear them unto others, and not to themselves. Again; whensoever, and wheresoever, sooner or later, her life doth end, she hath her own end nevertheless. For it is not with her, as with dancers and players, who if they be interrupted in any part of their action, the whole action must needs be imperfect: but she in what part of time or action soever she be surprised, can make that which she hath in her hand whatsoever it be, complete and full, so that she may depart with that comfort, 'I have lived; neither want I anything of that which properly did belong unto me.'