"Beka," he said, "let the gods alone, they won't feed us; they eat the best that men have." "Then hold to the one God who feeds the birds." "And who delivers the Jews to the Romans.

No; Jehovah won't help me either.

So I'm forsaken and stand alone, a tottering reed." "How can I help it if you stand alone ?" asked the daughter of Manasseh.
"Are there not daughters in Galilee who also stand alone ?" "Beka, I am glad that you speak so," replied the fisherman.

"Why, how can Simon come to an understanding with anybody so long as he can't come to an understanding with himself?
And fishing delights me not.
Everything is a burden.

Often when I lie here and look up into the blue sky, I think: If only a storm would come and drive me out on the open sea--into the wild, dark terror, then, Simon, you would lie there and extend your arms and say: Gods or God, do with me what you will." "Don't talk like that, Simon.