The Fourth Dialogue

it is necessary that every person or tists sect/group who has faith has power, provided it is accompanied by love. To understand this easily, consider and weigh what the power of worldly faith is. Someone believes that riches are good, and that he may attain them through trade; he often leaves his home, a beautiful wife, and small children, and places himself in great danger from murderers and floods, and endures unbearable labor to receive those believed and desired riches, even * 2. 30 at the end of the Taprobanische Werelt Taprobane/ancient term for Sri Lanka and the Happy Islands a reference to the mythical Isles of the Blessed, and this faith bears that power in him. For if he did not believe it, he would not do it. Thus, one might say, this man has become rich through faith. What shall * 1. 1. we say of scholarship? The small servant believes that scholarship and human arts are a praiseworthy thing, and that one should desire them with all * 3. 1. one's power; therefore, he desires them with all his power, is occupied with them nights and days, endures poverty, cold, and everything, only to reach what he believes to be good. What do soldiers do? To what misery are they not subjected, and what do they not endure * 3. 1. just to enjoy the victory or the booty? How often do they spend entire nights without sleeping? How many times do they suffer hunger, to such an extent that they sometimes eat mice, horses, and even their own shoes, of which they later boast; from where does such power come to them?