De Tribus Impostoribus, A. D. 1230: The Three Impostors / Translated (with notes and comments) from a French manuscript of the work written in the year 1716, with a dissertation on the original treatise and a bibliography of the various editions

by Unknown

II.

Another time being asked if it was lawful to[1] pay tribute to Cesar, and seeing the image of the Prince on the coin that they showed him, he evades the difficulty by replying that they should “render unto Cesar what belongs to Cesar, and unto God what belongs to God.” The difficulty consisted in that he would be guilty of lèse majesté if he had said it was not permitted, and by saying that it was, he would reverse the law of Moses which he always protested he would not do, because he felt that he was either too weak, or that he would be worsted in the endeavor. So he made himself more popular, by acting with impunity after the manner of Princes, who allowed the privileges of their subjects to be confirmed while their power was not well established, but who scorned their promises when they were well enthroned.