“What I mean is very simple. The continued deliberations, generation after generation, of the wise men who assemble in the council chamber have been the cause of the continued progress of the inhabitants. Nothing is done by them hurriedly or violently, but gradually improvement after improvement is worked out. But besides this, there have always been at every age certain disturbances in the state; certain doctrines are brought forward, and sometimes these tend to good, and should be encouraged; sometimes they are of unknown import, and must be studied; sometimes they are against the happiness of the state, and then the grave responsibility rests upon us of checking them. Now from your position you have more opportunity of knowing than any one else in what direction your companion’s doctrines tend. I have sent for you to ask you to share with me this grave responsibility.” “I do not think I can help you. I am sure he does not wish to do any harm. What harm can there be in his doctrines?” “It is not so much about his doctrines which I want to speak to you as about another subject. Many of those who have talked with him have agreed with one another in ascribing a singular oppressiveness to his presence. The expression was even used by a very worthy friend of mine, ‘He made me feel like a puppet.’ Now what right had he to inflict such a sensation on a very worthy individual? I want to ask you yourself if you have ever felt this?” The clerk hesitated. “At least, tell me, have you ever found it easy to influence him?” “No; I do not feel as if I could influence him in the least. He seems to lack the ordinary springs of motive.” “Now, should you say that it would be a gain to the community if many should become like him? Would not they be difficult to govern?” “Certainly they would be difficult to govern.” “Would it be a gain in pleasure to the rest of the inhabitants or to themselves?” “It would not be a gain to themselves,” said the clerk, recalling the pain which his companion bore, “but it might be good for the rest of the inhabitants.” “Yes,” said the chief councillor, “that is where his strength lies; he is a very skilful physician or an impostor, and he has the people on his side from the cures he has effected. Can you tell me anything about his life?” “I have heard from him that he was a student, and was exiled; and that in his place of exile he found out the new doctrines, and he left the place he was sentenced to. On his way I joined him.” “So much we know, and it is within our power, according to the regulations, to compel him to go back, and to punish him for having left the region he was banished to.” “If you have that power, why do you not send him back if you think it would be best for the state for him to disappear?”