> If each of you
> Has had a ring presented by his father,
> Let each believe his own the real ring.
> 'Tis possible the father chose no longer
> To tolerate the one ring's tyranny;
> And certainly, as he much loved you all,
> And loved you all alike, it could not please him
> By favouring one to be of two the oppressor.
> Let each feel honoured by this free affection.
> Unwarped of prejudice; let each endeavour
> To vie with both his brothers in displaying
> The virtue of his ring; assist its might
> With gentleness, benevolence, forbearance,
> With inward resignation to the godhead...."
Gotthold Lessing i //Nathan the Wise// (1778-1779)

"Enlightenment thought was remarkably open to the idea of the Other. [This play] exemplifies the era's universalism, humanity, and tolerance. Two themes—"It suffices to be a man " and "Be my friend"—run through the play, which preaches friendship among the three monotheist religions, Islam, Christianity and Judaism. Saladin (1137-1193), the Great Muslim leader who defeated the Christian Crusaders is one of the three main characters." Ibn Warraq, [[http://www.writersreps.com/feature.cfm?FeatureID=132|The Sins of Edward Said]]