Alexander of Macedon Tests the Elders of the South

Ten things did Alexander of Macedon ask the elders of the South. He said to them: Is it farther from the heavens to the earth, or from east to west? They said to him: From east to west is farther. Know this, for when the sun is in the east all can look at it, and when the sun is in the west all can look at it, but when the sun is in the middle of the firmament none can look at it. But the Sages say: This distance and that distance are equal, as it is said, "For as the heavens are high above the earth" (Psalms 103:11), and it is written (there, verse 12), "As far as the east is from the west." And if one were greater, let Scripture write both as the greater one. Rather, what is the reason that none can look at the sun in the middle of the firmament? Because it stands fully exposed and nothing covers it. He said to them: Were the heavens created first or the earth? They said to him: The heavens were created first, as it is written, "In the beginning [God created the heavens and the earth]" (Genesis 1:1), and so forth. He said to them: Was light created first or darkness? They said to him: This matter has no resolution. (And why did they not say to him: Darkness was created first, as it is written, "And the earth was unformed and void, and darkness" (Genesis 1:2), and afterward, "And God said: Let there be light" (Genesis 1:3)? Because they thought: perhaps he has come to inquire into what is above, what is below, what is before, what is behind. If so, about the heavens too they should not have answered him at first! At first they thought he was asking by chance; once they saw that he kept asking, they thought: let us not answer him, lest he is coming to inquire what is above and what is below.) He said to them: Who is called wise? They said to him: He who foresees what will come to be. He said to them: Who is called mighty? He who conquers [his impulse], and so forth. He said to them: Who is called rich? He who is content with his portion. What shall a person do and live? Let him slay himself [make himself humble]. What shall a person do and die? Let him keep himself alive [indulge himself]. What shall a person do and be accepted by people? Let him hate kingship and rule. He said to them: My answer is better than yours: let him love kingship and rule, yet do kindness with human beings. He said to them: Is it better to dwell on the sea or on the dry land? They said to him: On the dry land, for all who go down to the sea are not settled in mind until they come up to the land. Which of you is wiser? They said to him: We are all equal, for as one we have answered you. He said to them: Why have you set yourselves against me? They said to him: The Accuser has prevailed. He said to them: I will kill you by royal decree. They said to him: Power is in the hand of the king, but it does not befit a king to lie. Immediately he clothed them in purple and placed a golden chain upon their necks.