“Aha! The reasoning of our great genius turned out in the long run to have the greater validity! No, let us be serious, Professore ! Answer me this, answer me in the presence of these two young listeners: Do you believe in truth, in objective, scientific truth, to strive after the attainment of which is the highest law of all morality, and whose triumphs over authority form the most glorious page in the history of the human spirit?”

Hans Castorp and Joachim⁠—the first faster than the second⁠—turned their heads from Settembrini to Naphta.

Naphta replied: “There can be no such triumphs as those you speak of; for the authority is man himself⁠—his interests, his worth, his salvation⁠—and thus between it and truth no conflict is possible. They coincide.”

“Then truth, according to you⁠—”