This is one of the best dialogues in 善德女王. This scene arises because the princess Deoman (later Queen SeonDeok) wants to build an observatory tower so that everybody in the country can learn about astronomy, how to calculate seasons, days and tides etc. Prior to this, Mishil has been "using" astronomy to fool the people by making "prophecies" based on astrological events like the lunar eclipse. This "power" to control nature was previously in the hands of the royalties so that they retain god-like status. Now that the princess has won it back, she wants to release to the commoners. This is the dialogue that ensued.
德曼：这样新罗的所有人都可以知道天命，以后谁都不可以利用。
美室：所以要抛弃神权？
德曼：想这么做
美室：世界上有纵有横，纵有百济，新罗，在新罗有人跟随您，有人跟随我。世界也可以用横的来看。我跟你同样在上面，百姓在下面。我们是使用神权来掌管百姓。
德曼：但是（神权）什么时候都是可以抢夺的
美室：那也不能抛弃啊
德曼：不是抛弃，而是还给百姓。
美室：那样也是抛弃，这样会失去统治，这样是违反通则的，以什么巩固您的权利，以什么来统治？
德曼：真实，（真理）
美室：真实？什么真实？
德曼：科学就是揭发真实，而你利用科学做了幻像
美室：作出幻象才能统治，
德曼：不，是给他们希望
美室：百姓有多么恐怖，百姓的欲望有多么可怕您不知道吗？
德曼：是的，我不怕，
美室：百姓不想知道日蚀是如何产生的，只是想解决。
德曼：那是因为不知道
美室：是不知道
德曼：如果他们知道册历的话，就会想知道，他们不知道雨为什么会下，他们需要前进一步。我要创造跟我做同样的梦的新罗。
美室心想：难道她想要……
德曼心想：这是我想说的话吗？
美室：事实上那希望，那梦想是更可怕的幻想
德曼：也许是这样，但是……
美室：公主，美室在说幻象，你说的是希望，但是那希望和梦想却是最残忍的幻想。您比我更甚。
德曼：是吗，也许是那样。
The summary of the dialogue is that Deoman wants the people to know science so that it cannot be a source of internal battle (to own it) and it cannot be abused for power or control. Mishil feels that if you do that you are losing your power to govern. The people needs this illusion that you are in control. Deoman says that she will not govern in this manner, she will use truth to govern. The people should not live by illusion, but by hope and dreams. Mishil says that hope and dreams is the most scary and cruel illusion.
It is highly disturbing how governing a country and governing a church is similar. The needs of a church member and the needs of a citizen are similar. The methods of a king and the methods of a church leader are similar. What you decide to do in leadership will dictate what kind of country/church you produce. I cannot recall when the transformation took place, but some day I just decided that I will not govern by illusions anymore. I will not continue the same old words of comfort that "God loves you" & "God is in control" & "God will make sure everything will turn out fine". I decided to release all that I know to the people.
Mishil is right though. The people do not want that. They have endless requests and they just want to know that you can make it all go away and they want to feel better. But that is not the truth. I want to govern by the truth. I want people to struggle with me with the harsh realities of truth. There is much we cannot know and much needed to continue to learn together. We live instead by hope and dreams. We endure hardships of uncertainty and doubt believing in the promised land that is far beyond. My church, I'm sorry that I will just continue with my style of tough theological education. I don't want the power. I give you the power of knowledge. We will work it out together.
It is cruel. But it is better than illusions. It is hope and dreams.
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