Ten thousand benedictions announced the transports of the multitude; and they made the earth re-echo JUSTICE, EQUALITY and UNION.
But different emotions soon succeeded; soon the doctors and the chiefs of nations exciting a spirit of dispute, there was heard a sullen murmur, which growing louder, and spreading from group to group, became a vast disorder; and each nation setting up exclusive pretensions, claimed a preference for its own code and opinion.
You are in error, said the parties, pointing one to the other.

We alone are in possession of reason and truth.

We alone have the true law, the real rule of right and justice, the only means of happiness and perfection.

All other men are either blind or rebellious.
And great agitation prevailed.
Then the legislator, after enforcing silence, loudly exclaimed: What, O people! is this passionate emotion?
Whither will this quarrel conduct you?
What can you expect from this dissension?
The earth has been for ages a field of disputation, and you have shed torrents of blood in your controversies.

What have you gained by so many battles and tears?
When the strong has subjected the weak to his opinion, has he thereby aided the cause of truth?
O nations! take counsel of your own wisdom.