Peasant
Come now! What about the priests?
Traveller
Takes a book, looks for the place, and reads:
“It was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but I say unto you, Swear not at allbut I say unto you, Swear not at all. … But let your speech be, Yea, yea; nay, nay: and whatsoever is more than these is of the evil one” (Matthew 5:33). So, according to Christ’s Law, you must not swear.
Peasant
If there were no oath, there would be no soldiers.
Traveller
Well, and what good are the soldiers?
Peasant
What good? … But supposing other Tsars were to come and attack our Tsar … what then?
Traveller
If the Tsars quarrel, let them fight it out themselves.
Peasant
Come! How could that be possible?
Traveller
It’s very simple. He that believes in God, no matter what you may tell him, will never kill a man.
Peasant
Then why did the priest read out in church that war was declared, and the Reserves were to be ready?