should partake of the
good things of life, why dost thou not distribute dainties and riches
equally amongst all? And why is it that the common herd are pinched
with poverty, while thou addest ever to thy store by seizing for
thyself the goods of others? Nay, thou carest not for the weal of the
many, but fattenest thine own flesh, to be meat for the worms to feed
on. Wherefore also thou hast denied the God of all, and called them
gods that are not, the inventors of all wickedness, in order that, by
wantonness and wickedness after their example, thou mayest gain the
title of imitator of the gods. For, as your gods have done, why should
not also the men that follow them do? Great then is the error that
thou hast erred, O king. Thou fearest that we should persuade certain
of the people to join with us, and revolt from thy hand, and place
themselves in that hand that holdeth all things, for thou willest the
ministers of thy covetousness to be many, that they may be miserable
while thou reapest profit from their toil; just as a man, who keepeth
hounds or falcons tamed for hunting, before the hunt may be seen to pet
them, but, when they have once seized the quarry, taketh the game with
violence out of their mouths. So also thou, willing that there should
be many to pay thee tribute and toll from land and water, pretendest to
care for their welfare, but in truth bringest on them and above all on
thyself eternal ruin; and simply to pile up gold, more worthless than
dung or rottenness, thou hast been deluded into taking darkness for
light. But recover thy wits from this earthly sleep: open thy sealed
eyes, and behold the glory of God that shineth round about us all; and
come at length to thyself. For saith the prophet, 'Take heed, ye unwise
among the people, and, O ye fools, understand at last.' Understand
thou that there is no God except our God, and no salvation except in
him."

But the king said, "Cease this foolish babbling, and anon discover to
me Barlaam: else shalt thou taste instruments of torture such as thou
hast never tasted before." That noble-minded, great-hearted monk, that
lover of the heavenly philosophy, was not moved by the king's threats,
but stood unflinching, and said, "We are not commanded to fulfil thy
hest, O king, but the orders of our Lord and God who teacheth us
temperance, that we should be lords over all pleasures and passions,
and practise fortitude, so as to endure all toil and all ill-tre