The councillors began with a maxim, expanded it into a parable and ended with a fervent declaration about righteousness. (maxim: aphorism, adage, precept; parable: moral tale, teaching story, apologue; righteousness: rectitude, virtue, integrity) Their self-righteous last line implied that people who lived outside the gate had laxer morals. (self-righteous: sanctimonious, holier-than-thou, smug) The painter was doubtful about the whole moralistic endeavor, particularly at sixpence a letter. (moralistic: judgmental, sanctimonious, self-righteous; endeavor: attempt, effort, undertaking)
An impatient member wanted to eschew discussion and repeat the old mantra. (eschew: avoid, shun, forgo; mantra: motto, watchword, slogan) A more empathetic member asked what the sign would sound like to someone arriving wet and hungry. (empathetic: empathic, understanding, sensitive) The question seemed tangential until the rain began and a stranger knocked. (tangential: peripheral, incidental, digressive)
The painter brought in a chair. When the stranger left, he took a small brush and wrote two words: Come in. The council's new motto fit the gate. Its author only charged for six letters.