asked

And the lark asked it also, "What is the piece of wood that thou holdest?" Said the trap, "That is a young oak-tree on which I lean at the time of prayer."

On one occasion when I was present he was asked, How many thousand books are there in the library? and he replied, 'More than two hundred thousand, O king, and I shall make endeavour in the immediate future to gather together the remainder also, so that the total of five hundred thousand may be reached. I am told that the laws of the Jews are worth transcribing and deserve a place in your library!

For when men from pure motives plan some action in the interest of righteousness and the performance of noble deeds, Almighty God brings their efforts and purposes to a successful issue)--the king raised his head and looking up at me with a cheerful countenance asked, 'How many thousands do you think they will number?'

When we asked why, since there is but one form of creation, some animals are regarded as unclean for eating, and others unclean even to the touch (for though the law is scrupulous on most points, it is specially scrupulous on such matters as these) he began his reply as follows:

Taking an opportunity afforded by a pause in the banquet the king asked the envoy who sat in the seat of honour (for they were arranged according to seniority), how he could keep his kingdom unimpaired to the end?

The king praised the answer and then asked the next man, how he could do everything for the best in all his actions?

The king complimented this man, too, upon his answer and asked another, how he could have friends like-minded with himself?

After expressing his agreement with the reply, the king asked the next guest, how in giving audiences and passing judgments he could gain the praise even of those who failed to win their suit?

The king praised the man warmly for his answer and asked the next in order, how he could be invincible in military affairs?

Welcoming this answer, he asked another how he might become. an object of dread to his enemies.

The king exclaimed that the man had answered well and then asked the next how he could keep all his possessions intact and finally hand them down to his successors in the same condition?

Thereupon he asked the man, 'What is the true aim of courage?'

He began to open the conversation with the eleventh man, for there were ten who had been asked questions on the former occasion.

When silence was established, he asked how he could continue to be rich?

After a brief reflection, the man who had been asked the question replied--'If he did nothing unworthy of his position, never acted licentiously, never lavished expense on empty and vain pursuits, but by acts of benevolence made all his subjects well disposed towards himself. For it is God who is the author of all good things and Him man must needs obey.'

The king bestowed praise upon him and then asked another how he could maintain the truth?

The king praised him and asked the next in order how he could be the friend of men?

The king praised him and asked another man, how his deliberations might be for the best?

Having praised him, the king asked the next, how he could be free from disturbing thoughts in his sleep?

And he replied, 'You have asked me a. question which is very difficult to answer, for we cannot bring our true selves into play during the hours for sleep, but are held fast in these by imaginations that cannot be controlled by reason. For our souls possess the feeling that they actually see the things that enter into our consciousness during sleep. But we make a mistake if we suppose that we are actually sailing on the sea in boats or flying through the air [*1] or travelling to other regions or anything else of the kind. And yet we actually do imagine such things to be taking place.

Pleased with these words, the king asked the next, how he could be free from envy?

The king praised the man in a long speech and then asked another, how he could despise his enemies?

The king expressed his approval and asked the next, To whom ought a man to show liberality?

Having expressed his agreement with the answer, the king asked the sixth to reply to the question, to whom ought we to exhibit gratitude?

The king spoke kindly to him and then asked the next, What is it that resembles beauty in value?

The king in the most gracious way applauded the answer and asked another, how, if he were to fail, he could regain his reputation again in the same degree?

Delighted with these words, the king asked another, how he could be free from grief?

The king bestowed great praise upon him and asked the tenth, What is the highest form of glory?

The king expressed approval and asked the next man, What is it that is most beneficial to health?

The king expressed agreement and asked the next, how he could become an eager listener?

The king praised him and asked the next How he could avoid doing anything contrary to law?

And having accorded to him the same praise as to the rest, the king asked another, how he could attain freedom from fear?

The king expressed his approval and asked another, how he could always maintain a right judgement?

The king gave a kindly reception to the man and asked the next to answer the question, how he could avoid a life of ease and pleasure?

Having bestowed praise upon him, the king asked the tenth, how he could recognize those who were dealing treacherously with him?

And on the next day, when the opportunity offered, the king asked the next man, What is the grossest form of neglect?

The king said that he had spoken well and then asked another, how he could be patriotic?

After listening to this man, the king asked the next in order, how he could live amicably with his wife?

The king expressed his agreement and asked the next, how he could be free from error?

Delighted with these words, the king asked another, how he could be free from wrath?

The king said that this man had answered well, and asked another, What is philosophy?

The king signified his consent and asked another, how he could meet with recognition when traveling abroad?

Having expressed his approval at this reply, the king asked another, how he could build in such a way that his structures would endure after him?

The king said that this man, too, had answered well and asked the tenth, What is the fruit of wisdom?

The king spoke kindly to him and asked the next, Whom ought a man to select as his counsellors?

The king praised him and asked another, What is the most necessary possession for a king?

For in this way you will win your hearer, not by opposing him, but by bestowing praise upon him with a view to persuading him. And it is by the power of God that persuasion is accomplished.' 53 The king said that he had given a good answer, and asked another, how he could live amicably with the many different races who formed the population of his kingdom?

The king was delighted by this reply, and asked another, 'Under what circumstances ought a man to suffer grief?'

The king said that he had given a fitting answer, and asked another, how is reputation lost?

The king gave his confirmation to the answer, and asked the next man, To whom ought men to entrust themselves?

The king said that he had answered wisely, and asked another, What is it that keeps a kingdom safe?

The king spoke words of encouragement to him, and asked another, What is it that maintains gratitude and honour?

The king graciously acknowledged the answer and asked the eleventh (since there were two more than seventy), how he could in time of war maintain tranquillity of soul?

When an opportunity occurred, the king asked the first of those who had not yet been questioned, how he could avoid being deceived by fallacious reasoning?

The king loudly applauded the answer and asked another, Why is it that the majority of men never become virtuous?

The king said that he had answered well, and asked, What ought kings to obey? And he said, 'The laws, in order that by righteous enactments they may restore the lives of men. Even as you by such conduct in obedience to the Divine command have laid up in store for yourself a perpetual memorial.'

The king said that this man, too, had spoken well, and asked the next, Whom ought we to appoint as governors?

The king said that he had given a good answer and asked another, What man is worthy of admiration?

And he replied, 'To reading and the study of the records of official journeys, which are written in reference to the various kingdoms, with a view to the reformation and preservation of the subjects. And it is by such activity that you have attained to a glory which has never been approached by others, through the help of God who fulfils all your desires.' 15 The king spoke enthusiastically to the man and asked another, how ought a man to occupy himself during his hours of relaxation and recreation?

The king spent some time in praising this man and then asked the last of all, What is the greatest achievement in ruling an empire?

bus urged by the tyrant to the unlawful eating of unclean meat, Eleazar asked permission to speak; and receiving it, he began his speech before the court as follows:

And I asked the Truth 'Who are these?'; and He said to me, 'This is the deceiver and the error: