(Scandinavian legends of great antiquity, collected, A.D. 1100, by Saemund) King Frothi called his slaves renowned for strength, Fenia and Menia, and bade them grind for gold. The maidens ground through many years, they ground endless treasures; but at last they grew weary. Then Frothi said, "Grind on! Rest ye not, sleep ye not, longer than the cuckoo is silent, or a verse can be sung." The weary slaves ground on, till lo! from the mighty mill is poured forth an army of men. Now lies Frothi slain amid his gold. Now is Frothi's peace forever ended. The Power of Justice BY MANU (Hindu poet, B.C. 1200) Iniquity, committed in this world, produces not fruit immediately, but, like the earth, in due season, and advancing by little and little, it eradicates the man who committed it. He grows rich for a while through unrighteousness; then he beholds good things; then it is that he vanquishes his foes; but he perishes at length from his whole root upwards. Justice, being destroyed, will destroy; being preserved, will preserve; it must never therefore be violated. Beware, O judge! lest justice, being overturned, overturn both us and thyself. Legislators BY ISAIAH (Hebrew prophet, B.C. 740) Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed; to turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless! And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory? Without me they shall bow down under the prisoners, and they shall fall under the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still. Concerning Wealth HESIOD (Greek poet, B.C. 650) Who, or by open force, or secret stealth, Or perjured wiles, amasses wealth, (Such many are, whom thirst of gain betrays) The gods, all seeing, shall o'ercloud his days; His wife, his children, and his friends shall die, And, like a dream, his ill-got riches fly. (_From the Instructions of Ptah-Hotep_) (Egyptian, B.C. 3550; the oldest book in the world) If thou be great, after being of no account, and hast gotten riches after squalor, being foremost in these in the city, and hast knowledge concerning useful matters, so that promotion is come unto thee; then swathe not thine heart in thine hoard, for thou art become a steward of the endowment of the God. Thou art not the last, others shall be thine equal, and to them shall come what has come to thee. (_From the Icelandic, Eleventh Century_) I saw the well-filled barns Of the child of wealth; Now leans he on the staff of the beggar. Thus are riches, As the glance of an eye, They are an inconstant friend. BY VIRGIL (Latin epic poet, B.C. 70-19) Curst greed of gold, what crimes thy tyrant power has caused!