Y.M. Then we must not claim that if a man knows
which of two things is right he is absolutely bound
to do that thing?
O.M. His temperament and training will decide
what he shall do, and he will do it; he cannot help
himself, he has no authority over the mater.
Wasn’t it right for David to go out and slay
Goliath?
Y.M. Yes.
O.M. Then it would have been equally right
for any one else to do it?
Y.M. Certainly.
O.M. Then it would have been right for
a born coward to attempt it?
Y.M. It would—yes.
O.M. You know that no born coward ever would
have attempted it, don’t you?
Y.M. Yes.
O.M. You know that a born coward’s make
and temperament would be an absolute and insurmountable
bar to his ever essaying such a thing, don’t
you?
Y.M. Yes, I know it.
O.M. He clearly perceives that it would be right
to try it?
Y.M. Yes.
O.M. His mind has Free Choice in determining
that it would be right to try it?
Y.M. Yes.
O.M. Then if by reason of his inborn cowardice
he simply can not essay it, what becomes of his
Free Will? Where is his Free Will? Why
claim that he has Free Will when the plain facts show
that he hasn’t? Why content that because
he and David see the right alike, both must act
alike? Why impose the same laws upon goat and
lion?
Y.M. There is really no such thing as Free Will?
O.M. It is what I think. There is will.
But it has nothing to do with intellectual perceptions
of right and wrong, and is not
under their command. David’s temperament
and training had Will, and it was a compulsory force;
David had to obey its decrees, he had no choice.
The coward’s temperament and training possess
Will, and it is compulsory; it commands him to
avoid danger, and he obeys, he has no choice.
But neither the Davids nor the cowards possess Free
Will—will that may do the right or do the
wrong, as their mental verdict shall decide.
Y.M. There is one thing which bothers me:
I can’t tell where you draw the line between
material covetousness and spiritual covetousness.
O.M. I don’t draw any.
Y.M. How do you mean?
O.M. There is no such thing as material
covetousness. All covetousness is spiritual
Y.M. All longings, desires, ambitions spiritual,
never material?
O.M. Yes. The Master in you requires that
in all cases you shall content his spirit—that
alone. He never requires anything else, he never
interests himself in any other matter.
Y.M. Ah, come! When he covets somebody’s
money—isn’t that rather distinctly
material and gross?
