Gifts of Heaven · Volume 2 · Chapter 342

The richest prince – A parable on the question of pre-

existence

15 August 1844

Question of Ans. Hüttenbrenner: Oh Lord, have I ever had an existence somewhere? Didn't I already think, feel and act before my mother received me?"

[1] Listen, My dear friend A.H.-W., you often say: That is a ticklish question! And behold, therefore I also have to say to you: That is a very ticklish question!

[2] A yes, a no, both would be equal here, because you would like to believe the one as well as the other, since in this earthly state of yours, neither for nor against this, any plausible proof can be given to you and in consideration of your free spiritual well-being, may also not be given!

[3] But I will give you a picture for it! If you have wisdom, you will be able to take much from it! And so listen then:

[4] Behold, there was a great prince, this one had an abundant land of gold, silver, precious stones, fields, meadows, animals and forests of the best kind. And this land also had a righteous population.

[5] But next to him was another prince, whose land was far poorer in all the treasures indicated. And so there were a lot of smaller principalities around, and all of them were much poorer in everything than the land of this one rich prince.

[6] This prince, however, did not pay attention to his treasures, however great they were, but his attention was always directed to the goods of the much poorer princes and how he could get hold of them!

[7] Among these princes lived an exceedingly wise man who possessed nothing but his great wisdom. But he was nevertheless the richest of them all, for without his advice, none of the princes dared to do anything.

[8] This man was once asked by the rich prince what he should do to take the goods of others, so that he could save the great treasures of his country, which he did not respect, for himself?

[9] And the wise man said to him. You know what? See, I have good advice! If you want to further your unjust desire, be like me! Give everything you have to those from whom you want to take everything, and you will be like me, who have nothing, but still have everything. And you will be able to dispose of everything like me, who also had everything, but for that very reason gave away everything in order to gain everything a thousandfold!

[10] This speech of the wise man pleased the rich prince exceedingly, and he acted immediately according to his words!

[11] And when he therefore summoned all the princes to cede his land to them completely, they asked him in amazement why he was doing this.

[12] And he, the great prince, said: Because for this very reason I have come upon the true wisdom, in which all these treasures are contained a thousandfold. When the other princes heard this, they said: If so, then you are already truly a superior man, and we want you to rule over all of us!

[13] But the prince said: Not so, my friends, I have only taken the first step in the school of wisdom! Let me first complete my course, and you take my goods! If I return from the school completed, then I will be a true leader for you!

[14] With this the other princes took over the rich land. The rich prince, however, soon went to the school of wisdom to become the wisest man.

[15] Behold, this is a secret image, in it lies the answer! Strive after this image, and in all things light will be yours forever. Amen, Amen, Amen.