And one of the elders of the city said,
Speak to us of Good and Evil,
Of the good in you I can speak,
but not of the evil.
For what is evil but good
tortured by its own hunger and thirst?
You are good when you strive to give of yourself.
Yet you are not evil when you seek gain for yourself.
You are good when you are fully awake in your speech.
You are not evil when you sleep
while your tongue staggers without purpose.
You are good when you walk to your goal firmly and with bold steps.
Yet you are not evil when you go thither limping.
Even those who limp go not backward.
But you who are strong and swift,
see that you do not limp before the lame, deeming it kindness.
You are good in countless ways,
and you are not evil when you are not good,
You are only loitering and sluggard.
