me to act in a quite different Manner from the Generality of Mankind. You plunder One, who entertain'd you with all the Pomp and Profusion in the World, to enrich a covetous, sordid Wretch, who treated you in the most unworthy Manner. Son, said the old Man, that Grandee, who receives Visits of Strangers, with no other View than to gratify his Pride, and to raise their Astonishment at the Furniture of his Palace, will henceforward learn to be wiser; and the Miser to be more liberal for the Time to come. Don't be surpris'd, but follow me. _Zadig_ was at a stand at present; and couldn't well determine whether his Companion was a Man of greater Wisdom than ordinary, or a Mad-man. But the Hermit assum'd such an Ascendency over him, exclusive of the Oath he had taken, that he couldn't tell how to leave him. At Night they came to a House very commodiously built, but neat and plain; where nothing was wanting, and yet nothing profuse. The Master was a Philosopher, that had retir'd from the busy World, in order to live in Peace, and form his Mind to Virtue. He was pleas'd to build this little Box for the Reception of Strangers, in a handsome Manner, but without Ostentation. He came in Person to meet them at the Door, and for a Time, advis'd them to sit down and rest themselves in a commodious Apartment. After some Respite, he invited them to a frugal, yet elegant Repast; during which, he talk'd very intelligently about the late Revolutions in _Babylon_. He seem'd entirely to be in the Queen's Interest, and heartily wish'd that _Zadig_ had entred the Lists for the regal Prize: But _Babylon_, said he, don't deserve a King of so much Merit. A modest Blush appear'd in _Zadig's_ Face at this unexpected Compliment, which innocently aggravated his Misfortunes. It was agreed, on all Hands, that the Affairs of this World took sometimes a quite different Turn from what the wisest Patriots would wish them. The Hermit replied, the Ways of Providence are often very intricate and obscure, and Men were much to blame for casting Reflections on the Conduct of the Whole, upon the bare Inspection of the minutest Part. The next Topick they entred upon was the Passions. Alas! said _Zadig_, how fatal in their Consequences! However, said the Hermit, they are the Winds that swell the Sail of the Vessel. Sometimes, 'tis true, they overset it; but there is no such Thing as sailing without them. Phlegm, indeed, makes Men peevish and sick; but then there is no living without it. Tho' every Thing here below is dangerous, yet All are necessary. In the next Place, their Discourse turn'd on sensual Pleasures; and the Hermit demonstrated, that they were the Gifts of Heaven; for, said he, Man cannot bestow either Sensations or Ideas on himself; he receives them all; his Pain and Pleasure, as well as his Being, proceed from a superior Cause.