Chapter
XIV.—The Tenets of the Esseni.
And they despise wealth, and do not turn away from
sharing
their goods
with those that are destitute. No one
amongst them, however, enjoys a greater amount of riches than
another. For a regulation with them is, that an individual coming
forward
to join
the sect must sell his possessions, and present
the price of them
to the community. And on receiving
the money
, the head
of the order
distributes it to all
according to their necessities. Thus there is no one among them
in distress. And they do not use oil, regarding it as a
defilement to be anointed. And there are appointed overseers, who
take care of all things that belong to them in common, and they all
appear always in white clothing.