A certain man was believed to have died and was being prepared for burial when he revived. He sat up but he was so shocked at the scene around him that he fainted. He was put in a coffin and the funeral party set off for the cemetery. Just as they arrived at the grave he regained consciousness, lifted the coffin lid and cried out for help.
It is not possible that he has revived, said the mourners, because he has been certified as dead by competent experts.
BUT I AM ALIVE! shouted the man.
He appealed to a well-known and impartial scientist and jurisprudent who was present.
Just a moment, said the expert.
He then turned to the mourners, counting them: Now we have heard what the alleged deceased has had to say; you fifty witnesses tell me what you regard as the truth
He is dead, said the witnesses.
Bury him, said the expert.
And so he was buried.
It is not possible that he has revived, said the mourners, because he has been certified as dead by competent experts.
BUT I AM ALIVE! shouted the man.
He appealed to a well-known and impartial scientist and jurisprudent who was present.
Just a moment, said the expert.
He then turned to the mourners, counting them: Now we have heard what the alleged deceased has had to say; you fifty witnesses tell me what you regard as the truth
He is dead, said the witnesses.
Bury him, said the expert.
And so he was buried.
Truth is aristocratic; it cannot be decided by votes or numbers because truth is enough in itself, it needs no help or support; it needs no proof even because truth is self-evident.
