PEER. Do you consider it a sin to say that the earth is flat or oblong?
MONTANUS. No, I do not, but I consider it shameful and dishonorable for me, a Baccalaureus Philosophiae, to repudiate what I have publicly maintained, and to do anything that is improper for one of my order. My duty is to see to it that ne quid detrimenti patiatur respublica philosophica.
PEER. But if you can be convinced that what you believe is false, do you consider it a sin to give up your opinion?
MONTANUS. Prove to me that it is false, and that methodice.
PEER. That is an easy thing for me to do. Now, a great many fine people live here in the village: first, your father-in-law, who has become distinguished by the mere use of his pen; next, myself, unworthy man, who have been deacon here for fourteen full years; then this good man, the bailiff, besides the parish constable, and various other good men established here who have paid their taxes and land rent in both good times and bad.
MONTANUS. That's the deuce of a syllogismus. What does all such nonsense lead to?
PEER. I'm coming to that directly. I say, just ask any one of these good men who live here in the village and see if any of them will agree with you that the world is round. I'm sure a man ought to believe what so many say, rather than what only one says. Ergo, you are wrong.
MONTANUS. You may bring all the people on the hill and let them oppose me both in this matter and others, and I shall close the mouths of all of them. Such people have no convictions; they must believe what I and other folk say.
PEER. But if you should say the moon was made of green cheese, would they believe that, too?
MONTANUS. Why not? Tell me, what do the people here think you are?