8
Then each of them wrote down the best answer he could think of, sealed it, and put it under the emperor's pillow. They said to one another,
9
"When the emperor wakes up, the statements will be given to him. He and the three leading officials of Persia will decide who gave the wisest answer. The winner will be given the prize on the basis of what he has written."
10
The first wrote, "There is nothing stronger than wine."
11
The second wrote, "There is nothing stronger than the emperor."
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And the third wrote, "There is nothing stronger than a woman, but truth can conquer anything."
13
When the emperor woke up, the written statements were given to him, and he read them.
14
Then he sent messengers and called together all the leading officials of Persia and Media, including the chief officers, administrators, governors, and commissioners.
15
He took his seat in the council chamber and had the three statements read aloud.
16
"Bring in the three young men," he said, "and let them explain their answers." So when they were brought in,
17
they were asked to explain what they had written. The bodyguard who had written about the strength of wine spoke first:
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"Gentlemen," he began, "wine is clearly the strongest thing in the world. It confuses the mind of everyone who drinks it.