“’Then he is allowed a short time for bathing, dressing, and dining; if, indeed, the poor wretch can venture to dine, with the constant fear of poison in his mind.

“’After this he must remain a long time in council with his ministers, perplexed with their conflicting arguments, and unable to understand even the half of them; while they, pretending to act impartially, get everything settled as they had previously agreed and by twisting and distorting the reports of spies and emissaries, manage to serve themselves and their friends, and to get credit for putting down disturbances which they themselves had excited.

“’He is now allowed to take a little amusement, but the time for this is restricted to an hour and a half.

“’Then he must review his army; hear the reports of the commander of his forces; give orders for peace or war; and act upon the accounts brought by spies and emissaries.

“’However weary he maybe with all this, he must sit down and read diligently, like some poor student, for several hours.  Then at last he may retire to rest; but before he has had half enough sleep, he will be awaked in the early morning; and the priests will come to him, and say:  “There is an unfavourable conjunction of the planets; evil omens have appeared; there is danger impending; the gods must be propitiated; let a great sacrifice be made to-day.  The brahmans are continually engaged in supplicating the gods on your behalf; your prosperity is dependent on their prayers; they are miserably poor, and have many children to support; let large donations be made.”  Thus the greedy wretches, under the pretence of religion, are continually robbing the king and enriching themselves.

“’This is the sort of life which you will have to lead, if you give yourself up to the guidance of those greybeards; and, after all, though you may have studied and studied, pored over their musty volumes, and listened to their tedious lectures, you are not sure of doing right.

“’And who are these fellows who set themselves up for wise men?  Do they always do right?  Are they not often themselves cheated by the unlearned?  Common sense is far better than all this learning; instinct and feeling will guide us in the right way; even an infant without teaching finds out how to draw nourishment from the mother’s breast.  Cast aside, then, the rules and restrictions with which these old fools would bind you.  Follow your natural inclinations, and enjoy life while you can.  You possess youth, beauty, and strength.  You have a large army, ten thousand elephants, and three hundred thousand horses; your treasury is full of gold and jewels, and would not be emptied in a thousand years.  What more would you have?  Life is short, and those who are always thinking of adding to their possessions, go on toiling to the last, and never really enjoy them.

“’But why should I waste your time with needless arguments?  I see you are already convinced.  Commit, then, the cares of government to your ministers; spend your time with your ladies, and congenial friends like me; enjoy drinking, music, and dancing, and trouble yourself no more with affairs of state.’