It
puts to rest many questions which he would otherwise be taxed to
answer; while the only new question which it puts is the hard but
superfluous one, how to spend it. Thus his moral ground is taken
from under his feet. The opportunities of living are diminished in
proportion as what are called the "means" are increased. The best
thing a man can do for his culture when he is rich is to endeavor to
carry out those schemes which he entertained when he was poor.
Christ answered the Herodians according to their condition. "Show me
the tribute-money," said he;- and one took a penny out of his pocket;-
if you use money which has the image of Caesar on it, and which he has
made current and valuable, that is, if you are men of the State, and
gladly enjoy the advantages of Caesar's government, then pay him
back some of his own when he demands it. "Render therefore to Caesar
that which is Caesar's, and to God those things which are God's"-
leaving them no wiser than before as to which was which; for they
did not wish to know.
When I converse with the freest of my neighbors, I perceive that,
whatever they may say about the magnitude and seriousness of the
question, and their regard for the public tranquillity, the long and
the short of the matter is, that they cannot spare the protection of
the existing government, and they dread the consequences to their
property and families of disobedience to it.
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