The Good Book by A. C. Grayling Page A

youngest sister was determined, and at last the family agreed.
    16. ‘So when the foreigner left, accompanied by some of our men to show him to the edge of the forest, she went with him,
    17. ‘And her next eldest sister was sent with her as chaperone.
    18. ‘There was sorrow at their departure in the whole village, and some criticism that our family had let them go,
    19. ‘Not least for such a reason, which many were sceptical about; and no one thought to see either of the sisters again.
    20. ‘But they returned several years later, to the great excitement of all; and they were full of wonderful stories about what they had seen and done.
    21. ‘Moreover they could read, and they read marvels to us from books they had brought with them;
    22. ‘And the people of the village passed the books from one to another,
    23. ‘Looking in awe at the marks that covered every part of them, and wondering at the mystery they contained.
    24. ‘And the sisters said they would start a school, and teach anyone in the village who wished to read, and especially the children.
    25. ‘But the headman said they might as well sow cornseed in the treetops and build huts out of water,
    26. ‘For where would they get what was needed to build and furnish a school such as the women had seen during their travels?
    27. ‘So my mother’s youngest sister opened one of the books at a certain page,
    28. ‘And read out a passage to the headman and the whole village, which was part of a story and went as follows:
    29. ‘“A young woman rose from her seat in the middle of the crowded hall where everyone was discussing how this thing should be done,
    30. ‘“And she addressed the men on the platform, saying,
    31. ‘“‘When a plan is laid, men always say, “Where shall we get the wherewithal?”
    32. ‘“‘But women say, “What have we already got available?”’”
    33. ‘And immediately the whole village saw that they had a school in any space under a tree, and stones to sit on,
    34. ‘And two teachers in my mother’s sisters, and books in their hands that they had brought with them.
    35. ‘Now,’ the old woman concluded, again pointing down the lane to the tree, ‘You can see what their teaching has already done:
    36. ‘The space under that tree has become a school-house, and into it all the world comes through the pages of the books,
    37. ‘And the past and future gather round you when you and your teacher are sitting there.
    38. ‘So the sisters hunted deer in the clouds, and caught the wind in a net;
    39. ‘And they planted cornseeds in the treetops, and they have grown; and built huts out of water, stronger than huts of wood.’

Concord
     
    Chapter 1
      1. Fannius said to Laelius, ‘Since you have mentioned the word friendship, and we are at leisure,
      2. ‘You would be doing us a great kindness, Laelius, if you would tell us what you mean by it, for you are famous for your friendships,
      3. ‘And before now have spoken so eloquently about their importance to us and to the possibility of good lives.’
      4. Laelius replied: ‘I should certainly have no objection if I felt confidence in myself, Fannius,
      5. ‘For the theme of friendship is a noble one, and we are indeed at leisure;
      6. ‘But who am I to speak of this? What ability do I have? What you propose is a task for philosophers;
      7. ‘For a set discourse on friendship, and an analysis of its meaning, you must go to them.’
      8. To which Fannius said, ‘But you have much practical experience in friendship, and are accounted the best of friends by your friends;
      9. ‘Surely this is the best qualification to speak of so important a relationship?
    10. ‘Not least, Laelius, is the fact that your great friendship with Scipio is the subject almost of legend; and from its example we all wish to learn.’
    11. ‘Well,’ replied Laelius, ‘all I can do is to urge you to regard friendship as indeed the greatest thing in the world,
    12. ‘For