phonian cave lost his ability to laugh, but recovered it again
on the island of Delos at the sight of a shapeless block which
was exhibited as the image of the goddess Leto: likewise
did it happen to me. When I was very young I forgot in
the Trophonian cave how to laugh; but when I grew older
and opened my eyes and contemplated the real world, I had
to laugh, and have not ceased laughing, ever since. I be-
held that the meaning of life was to make a living; its goal,
to become Chief Justice; that the delights of love consisted
in marrying a woman with ample means; that it was the
blessedness of friendship to help one another in financial
difficulties; that wisdom was what most people supposed
it to be; that it showed enthusiasm to make a speech, and
courage, to risk being fined 10 dollars; that it was cordiality
to say "may it agree with you" after a repast; that it
showed piety to partake of the communion once a year. I
saw that and laughed.
A strange thing happened to me in my dream. I was
rapt into the Seventh Heaven. There sat all the gods as-
sembled. As a special dispensation I was granted the favor
to have one wish. "Do you wish for youth," said Mercury,
"or for beauty, or power, or a long life; or do you wish for
the most beautiful woman, or any other of the many fine
things we have in our treasure trove? Choose, but only one
thing!" For a moment I was at a loss. Then I addressed
the gods in this wise: "Most honorable contemporaries, I
choose one thing—that I may always have the laughs on
my side." Not one god made answer, but all began to laugh.
From this I concluded that my wish had been granted and
thought that the gods knew how to express themselves with
good taste; for it would surely have been inappropriate
to answer gravely: your wish has been granted.
