The flint on being struck by the steel marvelled greatly and said to it in a stern voice, ‘What arrogance prompts you to annoy me? Trouble me not, for you have chosen me by mistake; I have never done harm to any one.’ To which the steel made the answer, ‘If you will be patient you will see what a marvellous result will issue forth from you.’ At these words the flint was pacified and patiently endured its martyrdom, and it saw itself give birth to the marvellous element of fire which by its potency became a factor in innumerable things. This is said for those who are dismayed at the outset of their studies, and then set out to gain the mastery over themselves and in patience to apply themselves continuously to these studies, from which one sees result things marvellous to relate.