道德原则和物质利益

Belinda

A MORAL Principle met a Material Interest on a bridge wide enough

for but one.

"Down, you base thing!" thundered the Moral Principle, "and let me

pass over you!"

The Material Interest merely looked in the others eyes without

saying anything.

"Ah," said the Moral Principle, hesitatingly, "let us draw lots to

see which shall retire till the other has crossed."

The Material Interest maintained an unbroken silence and an

unwavering stare.

"In order to avoid a conflict," the Moral Principle resumed,

somewhat uneasily, "I shall myself lie down and let you walk over

me."

Then the Material Interest found a tongue, and by a strange

coincidence it was its own tongue. "I dont think you are very

good walking," it said. "I am a little particular about what I

have underfoot. Suppose you get off into the water."

It occurred that way.