CHAPTER X
THE PILGRIM BEHOLDS THE FATE OF THE MEN OF LEARNING, AT FIRST GENERALLY
And my guide said unto me, "I already now understand thy mind, and which way it tendeth. Go, then, among the learned men—go among the learned. Their life hath a charm for thee; it is easier, quieter, and more useful to thy mind." "Yes, that is true," said the interpreter; "for what could be more delightful than that a man should, abandoning and no longer heeding the struggles of this material life, employ himself in studying these manifold beautiful things? Verily, it is this that makes mortal men like unto the immortal God, and almost equal to Him; thus do they become almost omniscient, exploring everything that is in heaven, or earth, or the depths, or was or will be. And thus do they know everything, although not everyone, it is true, receives these gifts in equal perfection." "Lead me then there," I said. "Why dost thou tarry?"
(A Rigid Examination at first.)
2. And we arrived at a gate which they named "Disciplina," and this was long, narrow, and dark.
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