Chapter 42 explore a thousand years

Once upon a time, two philosophers met on a hillside in Lebanon. One asked the other, "Where are you going?" The other replied, "I am looking for the fountain of youth, which I know comes from these mountains and I read that it bloomed toward the sun. And you, what are you looking for?" replied this one, "I am looking for the secret of death." Two philosophers, each believing that the other knew little of his great science, argued, each accusing the other of spiritual blindness. While the two philosophers were arguing loudly, a stranger passed by.In his own village everyone thought he was a fool.He heard the philosophers arguing vigorously, so he stood for a while and listened to them.

Then he approached the philosophers and said: "Gentlemen, it seems that you two belong to the same school of philosophy, and you are talking about the same thing, but you are talking about it in different languages. One of you One seeks the fountain of youth, the other seeks the secret of death. In fact, the two are but one thing; and exist in both of you as one thing." Then the stranger, turning away, said, "Good-bye, philosophers." He went away with a patient laugh. The two philosophers looked at each other in silence for a moment, and then laughed too.One of them said, "Okay, now shall we go and explore together?"

The Quest A thousand years ago two philosophers met on a slope of Lebanon, and one said to the other, "Where goest thou?" And the other answered, "I am seeking after the fountain of youth which I know wells out among these hills. I have found writings which tell of that fountain flowering toward the sun. And you, what are you seeking?" The first man answered, "I am seeking after the mystery of death." Then each of the two philosophers conceived that the other was lacking in his great science, and they began to wrangle, and to accuse each other of spiritual blindness.

Now while the two philosophers were loud upon the wind, a stranger, a man who was deemed a simpleton in his own village, passed by, and when he heard the two in hot dispute, he stood awhile and listened to their argument. Then he came near to them and said, "My good men, it seems that you both really belong to the same school of philosophy, and that you are speaking of the same thing, only you speak in different words. One of you is seeks the fountain of youth, and the other seeks the mystery of death. Yet indeed they are but one, and as they dwell in you both." Then the stranger turned away saying, "Farewell sages." And as he departed he laughed a patient laugher.

The two philosophers looked at each other in silence for a moment, and then they laughed also. And one of them said, "Well now, shall we not walk and seek together."