Without Mercy
“Well, I made one parson happy, for this world and the next,” Frederick the Great often said laughing heartily. “It was in Silesia. I had been quartered several times at the village parson’s without ever having seen him, so I sent for him.
“‘How do you do, parson?’
“‘Very badly.’
“‘Well, Well! Have patience; everything will be all right in the next world.’
“‘I doubt it very much; I am afraid it will be worse.’
“‘How so?’
“‘I have two daughters, three sons, a small parish and—debts. If I die, without having satisfied my creditors, your Majesty will understand that I should be damned without mercy.’”