He bared thick teeth. ‘I am Zacchariah. My price will be…
““He bared thick teeth. ‘I am Zacchariah. My price will be right. You show me now?’ In that moment, ten generations of horse-traders counted for more than half a lifetime in the legions. I was my father made young again, itching to make a sale. Abandoning the Eagle – I was a horse-trader, what did I care for a gold bird on a stick, however venerated by the Hebrews? – I gathered Pantera and Horgias about me, and trekked back to the inn of the Cedar Tree. Along the way, we collected Zacchariah’s well-muscled younger relatives, three other, unrelated, horse merchants who gazed at him with undisguised venom, a woman who claimed she could more accurately assess the sex of the foal our pregnant mare carried, a bone-setter who set to arguing with Horgias but gave up when his poor Greek met Horgias’ worse Greek – and Nicodemus and his seven zealots who stood about as we conducted our business, obviously waiting for a chance to inflict violence upon us.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A trader confronts moral conflict, choosing profit over sacred symbols, while surrounded by rivals and violence.
In simple terms: Choosing money over values leads to danger.
Key Takeaway
Beware letting greed override principles.
Themes
greed
morality
conflict
violence
trade
Mood
tension
foreboding
critical
Type
narrative
dramatic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- market negotiations
- military contracts
- family legacy
- ethical decision making
Key Concepts
capitalism
ethical dilemma
power dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- What values are you willing to sacrifice for profit?
- How does sacred symbolism affect your choices?
A Different Perspective
The narrative glorifies profit without addressing long‑term consequences.