"Retribution does not belong to men but to God; it is not forged by human hands but by the just God alone.

"Human beings, however, are subordinate to the fire of the dragon, that chaotic flame that underlies hubris. The human fire is small, while the dragon’s fire overwhelms it, and the deeds of men radiate that very fire.

"Because human pride is the fire of the dragon, whereas the fire of God is properly ordered by divine justice, the former spreads disorder while the latter brings true righteousness."

—Origen (~250 CE)