OF THE FAMOUS WISE MEN 143
In the desert at all times the truthful have lived, the free spirits, as the masters of the desert; but in towns live the well-fed, famous wise men, the draught- beasts.
For, being asses, they always draw the folk's cart !
Not that therefore I was angry with them ; but as serving ones they are regarded by me, and as har- nessed ones, even if they glitter in golden harness.
For often they were good servants and worth their hire. For thus speaketh virtue : ' If thou must be a servant, seek him unto whom thy service will be of the mt>st use !
The spirit and virtue of thy master shall grow in that thou art his servant. Thus thou thyself wilt grow with his spirit and his virtue ! '
And, verily, ye famous wise men, ye servants of the folk ! Ye yourselves have grown with the folk's spirit and virtue and the folk through you! I say so in your honour !
But folk ye remain for me even in your virtues, folk with dim-sighted eyes, folk that know not what spirit is !
Spirit is that life which itself cutteth into life. By one's own pain one's own knowledge increaseth ; knew ye that before ?
And the happiness of the spirit is this : to be anointed and consecrated by tears as a sacrificial animal; knew ye that before?
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