Pagina 399 van 1391

The oligarch, again, is thrice removed from the king, and thus we

get the formula 3 x 3, which is the number of a surface,

representing the shadow which is the tyrant's pleasure, and if

you like to cube this 'number of the beast,' you will find that

the measure of the difference amounts to 729; the king is 729

times more happy than the tyrant. And this extraordinary number

is NEARLY equal to the number of days and nights in a year (365 x

2 = 730); and is therefore concerned with human life. This is the

interval between a good and bad man in happiness only: what must

be the difference between them in comeliness of life and virtue!