Liber Saturni - Chapter 47

Verses

Blessed is the wall, for without it the captive would not know where freedom is advertised.

I praise locks. A lock creates faith in whatever lies behind it.

I praise schedules. They turn mortality into appointments.

I praise rank, because frightened people relax when fear has a uniform.

Saturn is the patron of every administrator who mistakes endurance for consent.

Give me a border and I will manufacture smugglers.

Give me a prohibition and I will give desire a flag.

Give me a prison and I will give poets architecture.

The ascetics despise chains, yet compete to forge invisible ones for themselves.

The rebels despise law, then write rules for the rebellion.

I am a demon; hypocrisy is the renewable energy of my kingdom.

The finest cage is one whose inhabitant explains why the bars are necessary.

The second finest is called tradition.

Do not misunderstand me: some walls keep wolves out.

My profession begins when nobody remembers which side the wolves were on.

Therefore engrave the law in stone.

Stone lasts longer than the reasons.

When the reasons die, hire guards for the stone.

When the guards ask why, show them the law.

This system has survived several civilizations.

Efficiency deserves admiration.