Relativity of Cynicism
Once upon a time, a Demon appeared before a Prophet, out of
a blast of sulfurous smoke. The Demon intoned, “You are a trouble-making, disloyal,
seditious hater of the Nation.”
The Prophet said, “The King sent you. What does he want?”
The Demon said, “Give me one good reason why I should not
burn your books, level your home, and slay you and your family.”
The Prophet said, “I shall give you two good reasons; one cynical and one idealistic.”
The Demon said, “Proceed.”
The Prophet said, “The King must tolerate a rabble of
dissident intellectuals, so that when the King’s false prophets fail, the
Nation will still have alternative visions.”
The Demon said, “I am not impressed by your cynicism.”
The Prophet said, “But that is my idealism.”
“Then what do you
call cynicism?”
“The King must tolerate a rabble of dissident intellectuals,
so that when the King’s rash commands offend, the People will still have the
illusion of free speech.”
The Demon said, “But I call that idealism,” and he disappeared
in a blast of sulfurous smoke.
The Prophet lived many more decades, prosperous and honored,
even though he published many more works of excoriating prophesy.
Moral: The view from on high is upside-down.
Comment:
To a Prophet, alternative visions are a beautiful ideal to seek, and the
illusion of free speech is an unfortunate reality to endure; but to a King, it
is the other way around.
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