THE FALL OF MAN

Among the animals the serpent was notable. Of all of them he had
the most excellent qualities, in some of which he resembled man.
Like man he stood upright upon two feet, and in height he was
equal to the camel. Had it not been for the fall of man, which
brought misfortune to them, too, one pair of serpents would have
sufficed to perform all the work man has to do, and, besides,
they would have supplied him with silver, gold, gems, and pearls.
As a matter of fact, it was the very ability of the serpent that
led to the ruin of man and his own ruin. His superior mental
gifts caused him to become an infidel. It likewise explains his
envy of man, especially of his conjugal relations. Envy made him
meditate ways and means of bringing about the death of Adam.[60]
He was too well acquainted with the character of the man to