56 Les Miserables
de Paul—it makes no difference. That is the truth. Then live
your life, above all things. Make use of your I while you have
it. In truth, Bishop, I tell you that I have a philosophy of my
own, and I have my philosophers. I don’t let myself be taken
in with that nonsense. Of course, there must be something
for those who are down,—for the barefooted beggars, knife-
grinders, and miserable wretches. Legends, chimeras, the
soul, immortality, paradise, the stars, are provided for them
to swallow. They gobble it down. They spread it on their dry
bread. He who has nothing else has the good. God. That is
the least he can have. I oppose no objection to that; but I re-
serve Monsieur Naigeon for myself. The good God is good
for the populace.’
The Bishop clapped his hands.
‘That’s talking!’ he exclaimed. ‘What an excellent and
really marvellous thing is this materialism! Not every one
who wants it can have it. Ah! when one does have it, one
is no longer a dupe, one does not stupidly allow one’s self
to be exiled like Cato, nor stoned like Stephen, nor burned
alive like Jeanne d’Arc. Those who have succeeded in pro-
curing this admirable materialism have the joy of feeling
themselves irresponsible, and of thinking that they can de-
vour everything without uneasiness,—places, sinecures,
dignities, power, whether well or ill acquired, lucrative
recantations, useful treacheries, savory capitulations of
conscience,—and that they shall enter the tomb with their
digestion accomplished. How agreeable that is! I do not say
that with reference to you, senator. Nevertheless, it is im-
possible for me to refrain from congratulating you. You