登陆注册
15491100000087

第87章 THREE QUESTIONS(1)

IT once occurred to a certain king, that if he always knew the right time to begin everything; if he knew who were the right people to listen to, and whom to avoid, and, above all, if he always knew what was the most important thing to do, he would never fail in anything he might undertake.

And this thought having occurred to him, he had it proclaimed throughout his kingdom that he would give a great reward to any one who would teach him what was the right time for every action, and who were the most necessary people, and how he might know what was the most important thing to do.

And learned men came to the King, but they all answered his questions differently.

In reply to the first question, some said that to know the right time for every action, one must draw up in advance, a table of days, months and years, and must live strictly according to it. Only thus, said they, could everything be done at its proper time. Others declared that it was impossible to decide beforehand the right time for every action; but that, not letting oneself be absorbed in idle pastimes, one should always attend to all that was going on, and then do what was most needful. Others, again, said that however attentive the King might be to what was going on, it was impossible for one man to decide correctly the right time for every action, but that he should have a Council of wise men, who would help him to fix the proper time for everything.

But then again others said there were some things which could not wait to be laid before a Council, but about which one had at once to decide whether to undertake them or not. But in order to decide that one must know beforehand what was going to happen. It is only magicians who know that; and, therefore in order to know the right time for every action, one must consult magicians.

Equally various were the answers to the second question. Some said, the people the King most needed were his councillors; others, the priests; others, the doctors; while some said the warriors were the most necessary.

To the third question, as to what was the most important occupation: some replied that the most important thing in the world was science. Others said it was skill in warfare; and others, again, that it was religious worship.

All the answers being different, the King agreed with none of them, and gave the reward to none. But still wishing to find the right answers to his questions, he decided to consult a hermit, widely renowned for his wisdom.

The hermit lived in a wood which he never quitted and he received none but common folk. So the King put on simple clothes, and before reaching the hermit's cell dismounted from his horse, and, leaving his bodyguard behind, went on alone.

When the King approached, the hermit was digging the ground in front of his hut. Seeing the King, he greeted him and went on digging. The hermit was frail and weak, and each time he stuck his spade into the ground and turned a little earth, he breathed heavily.

The King went up to him and said: 'I have come to you, wise hermit, to ask you to answer three questions: How can I learn to do the right thing at the right time? Who are the people I most need, and to whom should I, therefore, pay more attention than to the rest? And, what affairs are the most important and need my first attention?'

The hermit listened to the King, but answered nothing. He just spat on his hand and recommenced digging.

'You are tired,' said the King, 'let me take the spade and work awhile for you.'

'Thanks!' said the hermit, and, giving the spade to the King, he sat down on the ground.

When he had dug two beds, the King stopped and repeated his questions.

The hermit again gave no answer, but rose, stretched out his hand for the spade, and said:

'Now rest awhile -- and let me work a bit.'

But the King did not give him the spade, and continued to dig. One hour passed, and another. The sun began to sink behind the trees, and the King at last stuck the spade into the ground, and said:

同类推荐
热门推荐
  • 洗心录与爱

    洗心录与爱

    每个人的心都有一份不可触及的痛,有时笑并不代表快乐。人人这笑心这流血,这是心灵的伤永远无法洗净的痛,一弯孤月高空挂,谁能读懂浪子心,看破红尘无一物,最终还来孤独生。
  • 这个男人是仙帝

    这个男人是仙帝

    他不算最强,但却足以撼动整个世界!他不算无敌,但是没人敢与他为敌!仙帝归来,纵横都市,所向无敌,四方臣服!这是一个霸道无比邪魅狂傲的男人,纵横都市的传奇故事。
  • 执掌虚空

    执掌虚空

    万般皆虚空,万物皆浮云,如今天下变,唯我执掌虚空,一个资质不佳的乡村少年,一个飞升失败的上古强者,一段历史的神话,一段刻苦铭心的修炼之路,且看乡村少年如何一步一步走向人生的巅峰.
  • 养个女鬼当老婆

    养个女鬼当老婆

    杨华在回家的路上捡了个漂亮女鬼,从此他的人生便发生了翻天覆地的变化……
  • 封道之轮

    封道之轮

    武者有武技,星者有星魂,在这片广袤无垠的星域大陆上,弥漫着名为星力的神奇力量。初出茅庐的神秘少年牧云,身负废星魂青雾蝶,却淡定从容,屡创奇迹,是天赋绝世还是另有玄机?当黑暗逼近,封道之轮重现大陆,千年之谜逐渐揭开,阴谋亦或是命运注定?
  • 蓝焰御魔

    蓝焰御魔

    斗气是混杂的天地能量,人类吸收斗气来强化身体。魔法,天地元素分解而出的能量,虽然单一但却专精。辰溪,一个被导师引导着走进魔法世界的男子。因为火元素之心而获得超乎常人的力量。经历了废材,而后又国破家亡。携着蓝焰,统御魔力,造就一代传奇。你为什么要获得力量?穷奇吐了吐气。为了做人上之人。辰溪邪邪的笑了。魔法师的等级魔法使魔法士魔导使魔导士魔导师魔法的等阶劣质普通良好珍稀稀有神技佣兵和佣兵工会的等级DCBASSSSSS
  • 邪王追妻:嫡女太嚣张

    邪王追妻:嫡女太嚣张

    她是天之骄女,人人追捧。她是丑颜嫡女,人人唾弃。当她重生成为了她,丑颜变天颜。怯弱的包子女华丽变身霸气女神。有小人找茬,没事。拿针扎死,还能废物利用。有渣姐算计,速来。将计就计,更兼敲诈勒索。还有渣爹在后,更好!一网打尽,银子是我的,房子是我的,通通都是我的!不知何处冒出来美男一枚:我也是你的,求带走!
  • 打钱修仙

    打钱修仙

    苏尘发现他成了【打钱修仙】这款游戏的唯一玩家之后,他的一切行为都在打钱。跑步、吃饭、逛街、玩乐、旅游,甚至是交个朋友都能增加财富。而且,当他消费到了一定的额度之后就直接达到对应等级的修为。我欲成仙,快乐无边,苏尘感觉成仙的过程就是一种享受!
  • 孤独星际

    孤独星际

    一对兄妹,一双孤儿,阴阳两隔,后会无期,义结金兰,生无所息,为生而战,探寻“客栈”,往事如烟,曲终人散……
  • 阿里巴巴和四十大盗

    阿里巴巴和四十大盗

    很久很久以前,在波斯国的一座小城里,住着一对同胞兄弟。哥哥叫卡西木,弟弟叫阿里巴巴。父亲去世时没留下多少财产,两人生活非常拮据。每当富人的马车从门前经过,看着他们耀武扬威、洋洋得意的样子,兄弟俩就会流露出羡慕的表情,同时感叹自己命运不济。