XXXII. De maleficio.

XXXII. De maleficio.

But the third image, pretending to be a wrongdoing, follows a wandering path, because when people idly roam through many distractions, they also stir up countless vanities in created things through diabolical arts, abandoning God, so that they may find in each one what they desire. Those whom the Devil mocks, he leads into many traps. This has the head of a wolf and the tail of a lion, because men who are devoted to this vice seek to know what they should not, through diabolical arts in creatures; where they yield their souls to the Devil, like a lamb to a wolf, to be devoured. They don't place the end of their works in trust of hope in God, but show hardness and harshness, like the tail of a lion, revealing a bad outcome in their behavior, stirring up hatred and tyranny in everything they can, because in these matters they have neither gentleness nor a calm mind. However, the rest of his body is likened to a dog, since he places all his works in filth and also turns his knowledge toward the hunting of evils. And when this image harms them, they say that they are one in all things, because those who intend to do evil often draw these things to themselves through wandering; and they also connect this to their society in such a way that they cannot be separated from one another, since they are both naturally occupied with the same vice. But the loud noise of the winds sounds in his ears, which he eagerly listens to, trying to understand what they are and where they come from; because while these people set their minds on fleeting vanities, they receive many suggestions of evils and infernal iniquities into their hearts, and eagerly shake them off, directing themselves toward each of their desires, since they know how to adapt to their own lusts. They rejoice in these things as if they were their gods, because the unfaithful take delight in diabolical temptations, giving them great reverence, hiding them deep within their hearts, and worshiping them as if they could gain whatever they desire through them. Then he raises his right forefoot and aims it at the great wind that comes from the North, because where those same people ought to propose righteousness for themselves, so that they might walk justly in good paths, there they seize pride in wicked ways, and they turn themselves toward the greatest mockeries that are sent forth by the ancient seducer through malice. From this, the left front foot draws in the breath of winds from the elements, because of the evils that are set before the paths of those same people, so that they may see them and not be offended by the irritations of evil spirits, which serve them as creatures; the same friends of wickedness call them to themselves. For demons call their gods by name, and they worship them as if they were God, seeking from them various vanities and contradictions of evil deeds; and they do this so that they can more easily and readily fulfill all their impure desires, both within themselves and in other creatures, as the same vice declares, as is shown in their words. But the true voice of God resists their responses, warning people to turn away from the wickedness of their mockeries.