"Children," he continued, and gradually Johannes heard that deep ring in his voice, which riveted attention and caused an inner thrill, "where there is gold without sense, there will be misery; and where there is sense, there will be prosperity. For wisdom will not lack for gold.
"You truly are poor wretches—ill-treated and deceived.
"But nobody receives what is not his due. So do not rage and curse about it.
"He who is wise is strong, and cannot be ill-treated. The wise one cannot be deceived. The wise one is good, and neither steals nor lets himself be stolen from.
"You are weak and foolish; therefore you are deceived.
"But you cannot help it, poor children. I know it well; for the children suffer because of what parents and grandparents have done.
"But yet nobody receives what he does not deserve.
"We suffer for our parents and grandparents. Do not call that unjust. The wise ones love their parents, and will redeem their wrong-doing.
"And we can all make amends for what our parents did amiss. Yes, we can make amends to our parents—even now that they are dead.
"The grave is not a snare, children, for catching soul-birds. Father and mother are living still, and are benefited through our efforts.