and the learned man as well—how can both of them be equally bent on destroying their own souls? The thief who steals without knowing the penalty for theft is surely more excusable than the thief who steals while fully aware of the punishment awaiting him. And how astonishing that a prudent man will not part with his wealth to save his own life! Yet what I see in this world is that people sacrifice their very souls rather than their money, as though they do not truly believe what their prophets have brought them.

They protested, “We have never heard anyone in this faith deny a single thing that the prophets conveyed.”

He replied, “That is precisely what deepens my amazement: they are unanimous in professing the truth, yet their deeds contradict it—as though they hope for reward without any work at all.”