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The excerpt represents the core issue or deciding factor on which you must meditate, and is drawn from Droll Stories, V. 1 by Honore de Balzac: man at hanging, brought before him a poor peasant suspected of some
offence, he would say, smiling--
"Let this one go, Brediff, he will count against those I
inconsiderately slaughtered across the seas"; oftentimes, however, he
would let them bravely hang on a chestnut tree or swing on his
gallows, but this was solely that justice might be done, and that the
custom should not lapse in his domain. Thus the people on his lands
were good and orderly, like fresh veiled nuns, and peaceful since he
protected them from the robbers and vagabonds whom he never spared,
knowing by experience how much mischief is caused by these cursed
beasts of prey. For the rest, most devout, finishing everything
Droll Stories, V. 1 |
