Heart desired

They asked a sick man, what his heart desired? He replied, “Only this, that it may not desire anything.” When the stomach is oppressed and the belly suffering pain, there is benefit in having all other matters in perfection.

Butcher in the city

A butcher in the city of Wasit, to whom the Soofees had contracted some debts was every day importuning them for payment, and made use of very harsh language. The society was much distressed at his reproaches, but had no remedy besides • patience. A holy man of their fraternity said, “It is easier to satisfy the appetite with a promise of food, than to put off the butcher with promise of payment. It is better to relinquish the favour of the great man, than to suffer violence from his porter. It is better to die from want of meat, than to endure the importunities of the butcher.”

Grievously wounded

A certain gallant man was grievously wounded in an expedition against the Tartars. Somebody said, “Such a merchant has an unguent, of which perhaps he might give you a little were you to ask it.” The merchant was notorious for his parsimony. If the sun had been on his table instead of bread, no one would have seen light in the world until the Day of Judgment. The gallant man replied, “ If I ask for the unguent, it is uncertain whether he will give it or not; and-if he should give it, the effect is doubtful. On every account, to ask of such a man is a deadly poison.”

That which you obtain by entreaty from mean

people may benefit the body, but it injures the soul; and the sages have said,

‘If the water of immortality, for example, was to be sold in exchange** for

reputation, the wise man would not purchase it; for an honorable death is

preferable to a disgraceful life.’ If you eat colocynth from the hand of a kind

man, it is preferable to a sweetmeat given by one who has a crabbed

countenance.

Diminution of affection

A certain learned man, who had a large family to support with very scanty means represented his case to a great man, who entertained a favorable opinion of him. He disapproved of the application, deeming it unworthy of a man of spirit. When you are dissatisfied with your fortune, approach not your dearest friend, or you will turn his pleasure into sorrow. When you expose your distress, preserve a lovely and smiling appearance: he never fails in his pursuit, who maintains a joyful countenance. It is said, that the great man increased his pension a little, but treated him with less respect than formerly.

After some time, perceiving his diminution of affection, he said, “Evil is that food which you obtain in the time of distress; the kettle is indeed upon the hearth, but your reputation diminished. He increased my bread and lessened my honour: it is better to be destitute of means, than to suffer the disgrace of solicitation.”