The Wars of the Jews; Or, The History of the Destruction of JerusalemJosephus, Flavius
Religion
The Wars of the Jews; Or, The History of the Destruction of Jerusalem
Josephus, Flavius
Jews -- History
3. These men are despisers of riches, and so very communicative as
raises our admiration. Nor is there any one to be found among them who
hath more than another; for it is a law among them, that those who come
to them must let what they have be common to the whole order,--insomuch
that among them all there is no appearance of poverty, or excess of
riches, but every one's possessions are intermingled with every other's
possessions; and so there is, as it were, one patrimony among all the
brethren. They think that oil is a defilement; and if any one of them be
anointed without his own approbation, it is wiped off his body; for they
think to be sweaty is a good thing, as they do also to be clothed in
white garments. They also have stewards appointed to take care of their
common affairs, who every one of them have no separate business for any,
but what is for the uses of them all.
4. They have no one certain city, but many of them dwell in every city;
and if any of their sect come from other places, what they have lies
open for them, just as if it were their own; and they go in to such as
they never knew before, as if they had been ever so long acquainted with
them. For which reason they carry nothing at all with them when they
travel into remote parts, though still they take their weapons with
them, for fear of thieves. Accordingly, there is, in every city where
they live, one appointed particularly to take care of strangers, and
to provide garments and other necessaries for them. But the habit and
management of their bodies is such as children use who are in fear of
their masters. Nor do they allow of the change of garments or of shoes
till be first torn to pieces, or worn out by time. Nor do they either
buy or sell any thing to one another; but every one of them gives what
he hath to him that wanteth it, and receives from him again in lieu of
it what may be convenient for himself; and although there be no requital
made, they are fully allowed to take what they want of whomsoever they
please.
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