Bounty

Use in the book

Divine bounty is perfect because it gives excellent things freely, places them conveniently for enjoyment, and makes the enjoyer capable of receiving them nobly. Its very perfection can conceal it: gifts so near and constant are treated as though they were no gifts at all. The lesson is not to create scarcity so that gratitude becomes possible, but to prize possession while it remains. The same bounty requires room for its effusions in the Fifth Century's account of infinity. At every scale, generosity is measured by the good it communicates to recipients, not by costly display or difficulty of acquisition. Free availability becomes a sign of worth when judged from the giver's goodness.

Places to read

1. I.23Bounty prepares glorious treasures freely and makes their enjoyment easy.
2. I.38The perfection of divine giving hides it from a contracted spirit.
3. I.66Unnoticed bodily gifts expose how freedom and nearness can obscure bounty.
4. V.4Infinite bounty requires an adequate field and receptacle for its giving.

In this edition

“Bounty” here is neither a reward for capture nor a commercial promotion. “Free” indicates unpurchased generosity, not worthlessness.