The other replied without turning his head-- “Stranger, I understand you not, and I know not the Lord Jesus Christ.” “What!” cried Paphnutius. “The prophets have announced Him; legions of martyrs have confessed His name; Caesar himself has worshipped Him, and, but just now, I made the sphinx of Silsile proclaim His glory. Is it possible that you do not know Him?” “Friend,” replied the other, “it is possible. It would even be certain, if anything in this world were certain.” Paphnutius was surprised and saddened by the incredible ignorance of the man. “If you know not Jesus Christ,” he said, “all your works serve no purpose, and you will never rise to life immortal.” The old man replied-- “It is useless to act, or to abstain from acting. It matters not whether we live or die.” “Eh, what?” asked Paphnutius. “Do you not desire to live through all eternity? But, tell me, do you not live in a hut in the desert as the hermits do?” “It seems so.” “Do I not see you naked, and lacking all things?” “It seems so.” “Do you not feed on roots, and live in chastity?” “It seems so.” “Have you not renounced all the vanities of this world?” “I have truly renounced all those vain things for which men commonly care.” “Then you are like me, poor, chaste, and solitary. And you are not so--as I am--for the love of God, and with a hope of celestial happiness! That I cannot understand. Why are you virtuous if you do not believe in Jesus Christ? Why deprive yourself of the good things of this world if you do not hope to gain eternal riches in heaven?” “Stranger, I deprive myself of nothing which is good, and I flatter myself that I have found a life which is satisfactory enough, though--to speak more precisely--there is no such thing as a good or evil life. Nothing is itself, either virtuous or shameful, just or unjust, pleasant or painful, good or bad. It is our opinion which gives those qualities to things, as salt gives savour to meats.” “So then, according to you there is no certainty. You deny the truth which the idolaters themselves have sought. You lie in ignorance--like a tired dog sleeping in the mud.” “Stranger, it is equally useless to abuse either dogs or philosophers. We know not what dogs are or what we are. We know nothing.” “Old man, do you belong, then, to the absurd sect of sceptics? Are you one of those miserable fools who alike deny movement and rest, and who know not how to distinguish between the light of the sun and the shadows of night?”