Before the law sits a gatekeeper. To this gatekeeper comes a man from the country...

Every man strives to reach the Law, so how does it happen that for all these many years no one but myself has ever begged for admittance?

The gatekeeper sees that the man is at the end of his strength and that he’s only waiting for it to be possible to go on.

No one else could ever be admitted here, since this gate was made only for you.

You are insatiable. What else do you want to hear?

Then he can’t resist the questions which are, after all, addressed to him, 'Everyone strives to attain the Law...' says the man, trying to justify his presence here.

I see, ‘he says, ‘you do not yet know the Law. So let me tell you...

There is one requirement for admittance, and that is why he asks. The Law says: 'Make every man strive to reach the Law!'

Before the Law