Uturvande

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, The Sins of Edward Said