But why do you compare people to such terrible examples? You have the whole universe and God as models. Humans are the only animals who can imitate God, because we're the only ones who can understand Him. "The most hot-tempered people," he says, "seem like the most honest." Sure, but only when you compare them to cheats and con artists. They look simple because they speak their minds. I wouldn't call them simple — I'd call them careless. We use the word "simple" for all kinds of fools: gluttons, big spenders, and people whose flaws are obvious to everyone.
What reason, however, have you for referring mankind to such wretched models, when you have the universe and God, whom he alone of animals imitates because he alone comprehends Him? “The most irritable men,” says he, “are thought to be the most straightforward of all.” Yes, because they are compared with swindlers and sharpers, and appear to be simple because they are outspoken. I should not call such men simple, but heedless. We give this title of “simple” to all fools, gluttons, spendthrifts, and men whose vices lie on the surface.