Had Daniel so desired, he might have found in his surroundings a plausible excuse for departing from strictly temperate habits. He might have argued that, dependent as he was on the king's favor and subject to his power, there was no other course for him to pursue than to eat of the king's food and drink of his wine; for should he adhere to the divine teaching, he would offend the king and probably lose his position and his life. Should he disregard the commandment of the Lord he would retain the favor of the king and secure for himself intellectual advantages and flattering worldly prospects. 483

Hvis Daniel havde villet, kunne han have fundet en undskyldning for at slække på sine strenge afholdsprincipper, i sine omgivelser. Han kunne have benyttet det argument, at han var afhængig af kongens gunst og måtte underkaste sig hans magt, og at der derfor ikke var nogen anden udvej end at spise kongens mad og drikke af hans vin. Han kunne endvidere have hævdet, at han ville fornærme kongen og sandsynligvis miste sin stilling og selve livet, hvis han rettede sig efter den guddommelige undervisning, som han havde fået. Hvis han derimod så bort fra Herrens bud, ville han stadig nyde kongens gunst og opnå intellektuelle fordele og lovende verdslige fremtidsudsigter.