“Your law is a demoralizing human rule, through the enforcement of which you would compel mankind to do what should be in accordance with his ardent desire. If he disobeys your petty law, you inflict penalties;—even daring to shorten his physical existence. From the effects of this treatment, he, like you, must suffer for ages to come, so seriously is his growth retarded.
“We, on the other hand, feel deeply humiliated by any act of wrong among our people, which demands public notice; it reflects upon the moral atmosphere of the community.”
“Do your people never, in anger, disappointment or unusual depression or excitement, injure others, or trespass upon their rights?”
“Occasionally;” they admitted, sadly.
“And the punishment?” We were most curious to learn the treatment of evil among the good.
“If it be fully proved, before the officials, one has committed a really flagrant offense, he is uniformed in red, as a symbol of materialistic domination, and sent to the School of Philosophy, where the Sages meet for discussions. Your Socrates was a philosopher of their class. There, he has the best possible atmosphere in which to recognize and correct his faults.
“During this term of reformation, his parents, if still in the flesh, usually wear mourning, from choice, in recognition of their own shortcomings during his conception or earlier years.”
“How long is this term of punishment?”
“Not punishment; development; we consider it the Second Childhood. The time varies from one to six months of your counting.
“We have only one bad case on our records,” they added proudly.