It once occurred to a certain king that if he always knew just when to undertake
everything he did, and which were the right and which the wrong people to deal with,
and, above all, if he always knew what was the most important thing to do, he would
never fail in anything.
Having thus thought, the king proclaimed throughout his realm that he would bestow a
large reward on anyone who would teach him how to know the proper moment for every
deed, how to know which were the most essential people, and how not to err in deciding
which pursuits were of the greatest importance. Learned men began coming to the king,
but they all gave different answers to his questions.
In reply to the first question some said that in order to know the right time for every
action one must draw up a schedule of days, months, and years, and strictly adhere to it.
Only in this way, they said, could everything be done at the proper time.
Others said it was not possible to decide in advance what to do and when to do it; that
one must not allow himself to be distracted by vain amusements, but must be attentive to
everything that happens and do whatever is required.
A third group said that no matter how attentive the king might be to what was going on, it
was impossible for one man rightly to decide the time for every action, and that he ought
to have a council of wise men, and act according to their advice.
A fourth group said that there were certain matters which required immediate decision,
leaving no time to determine by means of consultation whether or not it was the right
time to undertake them. In order to know this, one would have to know in advance what
was going to happen, which is something that only a magician can know; therefore, in
order to know the right time for every action, one must consult the magicians.
The answers to the second question also varied. Some said that the people the king most
needed were his administrators; some said the priests, and some the physicians, while
others said the warriors were the most essential.
The answers to the third question, as to what was the most important pursuit, were
equally diverse. Some said that science was the most important thing in the world, some
said military skill, and others religious worship. The answers were all different, therefore
the king agreed with none of them and rewarded no one.
In order to find the true answer to the questions, he decided to consult a hermit who was
famous for his wisdom. The hermit never left the forest where he lived, and there he
received none but simple folk. The king therefore dressed himself as one of the people,
and dismounting before he reached the hermit’s dwelling, he left his knights behind and
went on alone.
The king found the hermit digging a garden in front of his hut. When he saw the king,
the hermit greeted him and immediately returned to his digging. He was think and frail,
and each time he thru
Answers
Answer:
was going to happen, which is something that only a magician can know; therefore, in
order to know the right time for every action, one must consult the magicians.
The answers to the second question also varied. Some said that the people the king most
needed were his administrators; some said the priests, and some the physicians, while
others said the warriors were the most essential.
The answers to the third question, as to what was the most important pursuit, were
equally diverse. Some said that science was the most important thing in the world, some
said military skill, and others religious worship. The answers were all different, therefore
the king agreed with none of them and rewarded no one.
In order to find the true answer to the questions, he decided to consult a hermit who was
famous for his wisdom. The hermit never left the forest where he lived, and there he
received none but simple folk. The king therefore dressed
Explanation:
order to find the true answer to the questions, he decided to consult a hermit who was
famous for his wisdom. The hermit never left the forest where he lived, and there he
received none but simple folk. The king therefore dressed himself as one of the people,
and dismounting before he reached the hermit’s dwelling, he left his knights behind and
went on alone.
The king found the hermit digging a garden in front of his hut. When he saw the king,