Page:The Labyrinth of the World and the Paradise of the Heart.pdf/339

This page has been validated.
THE LABYRINTH OF THE WORLD
335

(What Magistrates the True Christians have among them.)

3. Now he to whom it befell to sit above the others and be called magistrate behaved thus to the subjects that were entrusted to him as is the manner of parents to their children, that is, kindly and carefully; and it was delightful to witness this. I saw, also, that many of these magistrates folded their hands and praised God. Then, again, he who was under the rule of another strove to bear himself in such a fashion that he was a subject not only in word but also in deed. He honoured God in this that he showed great respect and attention, both in words and in deeds and thoughts, to him whom He had placed over him, whatever his character might be.

(The Learned Men among the Christians.)

4. When I had proceeded farther among them, I found no few learned men, who, contrary to the customs of the world, surpassed the others in humility as greatly as they did in learning, and they were sheer gentleness and kindness. It befell that I spoke to one of them, from whom it was thought no earthly learning was concealed; yet he bore himself as a most simple man, sighing deeply over his stupidity and ignorance. The knowledge of languages they held in slight value, if the knowledge of wisdom was not added to it. For