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I.N.R.I. - A prisoner's Story of the Cross by Peter Rosegger
page 54 of 318 (16%)
silks and precious stones here in the desert, and time has flown
nevertheless. All the treasure in the world cannot bid it stand still
for an hour; comfort only makes the days fly quicker. We should not
struggle for life, but hold it fast, for existence is a wondrous thing.
Oh, in vain--the days vanish. So I've determined to have nought to say
to the hours which pass, but to a time that endures for aye. And only
he whom God sends can bring such a time."

Barabbas pressed his face against the stone, and said with comfortable
conviction; "We've only the life we have; there's no other."

"If it was as you say," returned Dismas, "we must make this one life
great----"

"If there's no life to come," said Barabbas, "we must live this one
out. That is nature, and to deny it folly. No, I will enjoy my life.
Enjoyment is a duty."

"That is what bad men think," said Dismas.

"There are no bad men," exclaimed Barabbas, "and no good men either.
Friend, look at the lamb, he harms no one; he would rather be torn to
pieces by the lion than tear the lion to pieces himself. Is he good,
therefore? No, only weak. And the lion who kills and eats the lamb?
Is he bad, therefore? No, only strong. And so it is his right to
destroy the weak. Strength is the only virtue, and the only good deed
is to exterminate the weak."

When he made an end of speaking, the other turned his face towards him
and said: "What extraordinary words are those? I never heard such talk
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