¹One day, Hyeong-ryeol said to Sangjenim, “People consider you a madman.”

²Sangjenim roared with laughter. “Before 1901, my compassion for all people and my desire to deliver them sent me journeying in all directions to visit many folk and study their customs and culture.³In those days when I offered people face readings, examined their four pillars of fortune, and performed divinations, they hailed me as a divine person and some even slaughtered a cow to honor me with a feast. Yet, my deeds were based on words that were frivolous.

⁴“Since 1901, however, my deeds have been based upon the words of heaven and earth. Yet, now people consider me a madman.⁵But a madman could neither establish a doctrine nor initiate the work of heaven and earth.⁶At the coming of the time, those who vilify me will be the first to weep and prostrate themselves at my feet.”

⁷Sangjenim one day instructed Hyeong-ryeol, “The world is a very wicked place. Since you cannot act insane, you had better act a fool.⁸I will play the part of a madman.”