ould be RIGHT to try it?

Y.M. Yes.

O.M. His mind has Free Choice in determining that it would be RIGHT to
try it?

Y.M. Yes.

O.M. Then if by reason of his inborn cowardice he simply can NOT essay
it, what becomes of his Free Will? Where is his Free Will? Why claim
that he has Free Will when the plain facts show that he hasn't? Why
content that because he and David SEE the right alike, both must ACT
alike? Why impose the same laws upon goat and lion?

Y.M. There is really no such thing as Free Will?

O.M. It is what I think. There is WILL. But it has nothing to do with
INTELLECTUAL PERCEPTIONS OF RIGHT AND WRONG, and is not under their
command. David's temperament and training had Will, and it was a
compulsory force; David had to obey its decrees, he had no choice. The
coward's temperament and training possess Will, and IT is compulsory;
it commands him to avoid danger, and he obeys, he has no choice. But
neither the Davids nor the cowards possess Free Will--will that may do
the right or do the wrong, as their MENTAL verdict shall decide.

Not Two Values, But Only One

Y.M. There is one thing which bothers me: I can't tell where you draw
the line between MATERIAL covetousness and SPIRITUAL covetousness.

O.M. I don't draw any.

Y.M. How do you mean?

O.M. There is no such thing as MATERIAL covetousness. All covetousness
is spiritual.

Y.M. ALL longings, desires, ambitions SPIRITUAL, never material?

O.M. Yes. The Master in you requires that in ALL cases you shall content
his SPIRIT--that alone. He never requires anything else, he never
interests himself in any other matter.

Y.M. Ah, come! When he covets somebody's money--isn't that rather
distinctly material and gross?

O.M. No. The money is merely a symbol--it represents in visible and
concrete form a SPIRITUAL DESIRE. Any so-called material thing that you
want is merely a symbol: you want it not for ITSELF, but because it will
content your spirit for the moment.

Y.M. Please particularize.

O.M. Very well. Maybe the thing longed for is a new hat. You get it
and your vanity is pleased, your spirit contented. Suppose your friends
deride the hat, make fun of it: at once it loses its value; you are
ashamed of it, you put it out of your sight, you never want to see it
again.

Y.M. I think I see. Go on.

O.M. It is the same hat, isn't it? It is in no way altered. But it
wasn't the HAT you wanted, but only what it stood for--a something to
p