Y. M. How do you mean?

O. M. There is no such thing as material covet
ousness. 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

93



MARK TWAIN

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 be
cause 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.
