Quote of the day--from The Robe--Gutenberg Project

'He was not indolent,' said Justus, firmly. 'He could have had things, if he'd wanted them. He was a carpenter by occupation—and a skilful one too. It was a pleasure to see him handle keen-edged tools. When he mortised timbers they looked as if they had grown that way. There was always a fair-sized crowd about the shop, watching him work; children all over the place. He had a way with children—and animals—and birds.' Justus laughed softly, and exhaled a nostalgic sigh. 'Yes—he had a way with him. When he would leave the shop to go home, there was always a lot of children with him—and dogs. Everything belonged to him; but he never owned anything. He often said that he pitied people who toiled and schemed and worried and cheated to possess a lot of things; and then had to stand guard over them to see that they weren't stolen or destroyed by moths and rust.' 'Must have been an eccentric person,' mused Marcellus, 'not to want anything for his own.' 'But he never thought he was poor!' Justus raised up on one elbow, suddenly animated. 'He had the spirit of truth. Not many people can afford that, you know.' 'What an odd thing to say!' Marcellus had stared into Justus's eyes, until the older man grinned a little. 'Not so odd, when you stop to think about it. A talent for truth is worth having. If a man loves truth better than things, people are glad to have him for a friend. Almost everybody wishes he could be honest, but you can't have the spirit of truth when your heart is set on dickering for THINGS. That's why people hung about this carpenter and listened to everything he said; he had the spirit of truth. Nobody had to be on guard with him; didn't have to pretend; didn't have to lie. It made them happy and free as little children.' 'Did everybody respond to him—that way?' asked Marcellus, seriously. 'Almost everybody,' nodded Justus. 'Oh—sometimes people who didn't know him tried to deceive him about themselves, but'—he grinned broadly as if remembering an occasion—'but, you see, sir, he was so perfected in the truth that you couldn't lie to him, or pretend to be what you weren't. It simply couldn't be done, sir; either by word, tone, or manner! And as soon as people found that out, they dropped their weapons and defences, and began to speak the truth, themselves! It was a new experience for some of them, and it gave them a sensation of freedom. That's why they liked him, sir. They couldn't lie to him, and so they told the truth—and—and the truth set them free!' 'That's a new thought!' declared Marcellus. 'Your friend must have been a philosopher, Justus. Was he a student of the classics?' Justus was briefly puzzled, and presently shook his head. 'I do not think so,' he replied. 'He just—KNEW!' 'I don't su