244 Ulisse Aldrovandi

indeed, he is nearest to God; he therefore converts the blood of wealth into the milk of charity, which then nourishes "infants"—that is, the needy. Likewise, in the view of physicians, if the breasts of a pregnant woman overflow with milk, it indicates that the fetus will be weak. Since the fetus can be a symbol of action and milk a symbol of speech, we can only predict that the "fetus" of a person's deeds will be feeble when the "breasts" of their lips abound with the milk of words. Indeed, we read this sentiment in the Book of Proverbs: *Where there are many words, there is frequent want.*

Two sides are observed on the right and left of the chest. These two sides can be compared to two men racing toward a goal; when they reach the finish line, if they wish to turn back, the one who was on the right becomes the left, and the left becomes the right. Similarly, those who reach the limit of death encounter the same fate: for he who walks the right side of prosperity eventually finds himself on the left side of hardship at the threshold of death; and conversely, the needy who ran the path of calamity finally move toward the right side of eternal joy.

Finally, the back provides humans with the benefit of being able to lie face-up, a gift that brute animals lack. Therefore, a distinction exists between humans and beasts—that is, between perfect men and the wicked: just men, lying on their backs, can look up at the sublime and meditate on eternal things, while beasts—the sinful—see and contemplate nothing but the earth.

Next come the shoulders, parts designed for carrying. The shoulders of the soul are the virtues of obedience and constancy, suited to bearing the burden of patience and calamity, according to the words of Ecclesiasticus: *Put your shoulder under her and carry her.*

The arm hangs from the shoulders, strong and composed of two bones. This can represent Christ, who depends from God the Father and is composed of two "bones"—namely, humanity and divinity—and who, by his singular strength, was able to resist the power of the devil. As the Psalmist wrote: *By the arm of your strength, you have cast down my enemies.* Furthermore, when the body is sick, surgeons inflict wounds upon the arms; indeed, when the left side of the body suffers, a vein in the right arm is opened. The mystical body is the Church, whose right arm is called Christ, through whom the Almighty Father performs all things, as in Ecclesiasticus: *Glorify the hand and the right arm.* Yet the left arm of this mystical body is the human race, which has languished from the beginning; therefore, to liberate it, it was necessary for the right arm—Christ—to be wounded. Moreover, the arms are so closely connected to the head that they often place themselves in the path of a striker's blows to protect it. The arms of Christ are the faithful, who do not hesitate to resist idolaters and oppose tyrants in defense of the head—that is, of true faith in God. Finally, because the arms are near the heart, they are accustomed to revealing the heart's health to observant physicians through the pulse of the arteries. Since the heart is a symbol of the mind and will, and the arm a symbol of actions, we can penetrate the human mind and will through human deeds. For Gregory wrote: *Through those things that appear outwardly, what lies hidden within is revealed.*

Near the ends of the arms are the hands, which consist of many bones so they may perform any action. Hands represent our deeds, composed of many bones—that is, many virtues—so they may assist everyone, especially the needy. Furthermore, hands are instruments suited for reaching out, grasping, labor, striking, fighting, and protection. Thus, any Prince can be called a "hand" that extends in generosity, closes when benefits are not conferred on the unworthy, labors in righteous works, strikes by punishing sinners, battles when rebuking, and finally protects all those subject to his power. Therefore, that verse from Ezekiel can be spoken of such a hand: *The hand of the Lord was with me, strengthening me.*

The palm is the inner part of the hand, smooth and flat, yet possessing a certain hollow. According to natural philosophers, it is never harmed by a scorpion's sting. The Church is the hand in which those destined for eternal salvation are held, according to the Book of Wisdom: *The souls of the just are in the hand of God.* Perfect men represent the palm of this hand: they are flat because of their truthfulness, hollow because of their humility, smooth because they despise riches, and finally safe from the sting of the devil’s scorpion. As Christ said in the Gospel of Luke: *Behold, I have given you the power to tread upon serpents and scorpions.*