PRIESTS.—You must have faith; reason leads astray.
PEOPLE.—Do you govern without reason?
PRIESTS.—God commands peace! Religion prescribes obedience.
PEOPLE.—Peace supposes justice. Obedience implies conviction of a duty.
PRIESTS.—Suffering is the business of this world.
PEOPLE.—Show us the example.
PRIESTS.—Would you live without gods or kings?
PEOPLE.—We would live without oppressors.
PRIESTS.—You must have mediators, intercessors.
PEOPLE.—Mediators with God and with the king! courtiers and priests, your services are too expensive: we will henceforth manage our own affairs.