Section 73. PETER THE GREAT AND THE MONK.
Reading edition
Peter the Great ordered[1] many foreign books to be translated into the Russian language, and among others[2] “Puffendorf’s[3] Introduction to the Knowledge of the States of Europe.” A monk, to whom the translation of this book was committed[4], presented[5] it some time after[6] to the Emperor. The monarch examined[7] the translation; at[8] a certain chapter, however, he suddenly changed[9] countenance, turned indignantly to the monk, and said: “Fool, what did I order[10] thee to do? Is this a translation?” He[11] then referred to the original and showed the poor monk a paragraph in which the author had spoken with great asperity[12] of the Russians, but which had not been translated. “Go,” resumed the monarch, “and instantly carry out[13] what I have bidden thee to do. It is not to (S. 19, N. 7) flatter my subjects that I[14] have ordered this book to be translated, but (S. 6, N. 10) to instruct[15] and reform[16] them!”—Anonymous.