Intelligence is better than much learning; intelligence is
better than science; the man that hath not intelligence
shall perish like those who made unto themselves a lion.
...And this is the story of the lion, as related by the holy
Brahman Vishnousarman in the "Panchopakhyana."
In days of old there were four youths of the Brahman caste--brothers,
who loved each other with strong affection, and had resolved to travel
all together into a neighboring empire to seek fortune and fame.
Of these four brothers three had deeply studied all sciences, knowing
magic, astronomy, alchemy, and occult arts most difficult to learn;
while the fourth had no knowledge whatever of science, possessing
intelligence only.
Now, as they were traveling together, one of the learned brothers
observed: "Why should a brother without knowledge obtain profit by our
wisdom? Traveling with us he can be only a burden upon us. Never will
he be able to obtain the respect of kings, and therefore must he remain
a disgrace to us. Rather let him return home."
But the eldest of all answered: "Nay! let him share our good luck; for
he is our loving brother, and we may perhaps find some position for him
which he can fill without being a disgrace to us."
So they journeyed along; and after a time, while passing through a
forest, they beheld the bones of a lion scattered on the path. These
bones were white as milk and hard as flint, so dry and so bleached they
were.
Then said he who had first condemned the ignorance of his brother: "Let
us now show our brother what science may accomplish; let us put his
ignorance to shame by giving life to these lion-bones, and creating
another lion from them! By a few magical words I can summon the dry
bones together, making each fit into its place." Therewith he spake
the words, so that the dry bones came together with a clattering
sound--each fitting to its socket--and the skeleton rejointed itself
together.
"I," quoth the second brother, "can by a few words spread tendons over
the bones--each in its first place--and thicken them with muscle, and
redden them with blood, and create the humors, the veins, the glands,
the marrow, the internal organs, and the exterior skin." Therewith he
spake the words; and the body of the lion appeared upon the ground at
their feet, perfect, shaggy, huge.
"And I," said the third brother, "can by one word give warmth to the
blood and motion to the heart, so that the animal shall live and
breathe and devour beasts. And ye shall hear him roar."
But ere he could utter the word, the fourth brother, who knew nothing
about science, placed his hand over his mouth. "Nay!" he cried, "do
not utter the word. That is a lion! If thou givest him life, he will
devour us."
But the others laughed him to scorn, saying: "Go home, thou fool! What
dost thou know of science?"
Then he answered them: "At least, delay the making of the lion until
thy brother can climb up this tree." Which they did.
But hardly had he ascended the tree when the word was spoken, and the
lion moved and opened his great yellow eyes. Then he stretched himself,
and arose, and roared. Then he turned upon the three wise men, and slew
them, and devoured them.
But after the lion had departed, the youth who knew nothing of science
descended from the tree unharmed, and returned to his home.