“In worldly wisdom, science, and the Jewish law, I am beholden to their teaching; but there remaineth a higher knowledge, the inner working of which they but feebly discern. It hath to do with the life of man, now and hereafter, and the cultivation of his spiritual forces.”
“I feel a concern touching these things, and would fain know more of life and destiny. Peradventure some profit may come to me through thy wisdom.”
“I trow thou art not fully content with the teaching of the sages! Doubtless thou art well versed in the philosophies of Pythagoras, Socrates, Plato, and Epicurus?”
“I boast not myself of a deep understanding of their doctrines; but at seasons when my sports have become wearisome, I have felt some inner craving which I have sought to satisfy with their wisdom. But I confess to thee that they have not fully ministered to my need.”
“Wherein lieth thy discontent, O my lord Marcius?”
“In my earlier years I counted myself an Epicurean; but it hath become manifest that the doctrine of Epicurus hath lost its purity in the lives and doings of its professed disciples. But I am persuaded that it hath error from the beginning. Aforetime an experience in the adytum of the Temple at Tarsus showed me that death doth not end all, as hath been taught. Since then I have earnestly desired the full truth.”
“Thou speakest wisely. The Epicurean philosophy contained some measure of truth, but the disbelief of life after the grave is a deadly error.”
“Of that I am truly convinced. But what dost thou think of pleasure? Epicurus taught that it was the chief end of life, but that it could only be attained through a rational and prudent wisdom.”
“In other words, that excesses defeated the very thing sought!”
“Yea, verily; but his followers have put this out of mind.”