SALADIN.
If not thou, the people calls thee so.
NATHAN.
May be, the people.
SALADIN.
Fancy not that I
Think of the people’s voice contemptuously;
I have been wishing much to know the man
Whom it has named the wise.
NATHAN.
And if it named
Him so in scorn. If wise meant only prudent.
And prudent, one who knows his interest well.
SALADIN.
Who knows his real interest, thou must mean.