If thou art wise, incline towards the essential truth, for that remains2, while the things that are external pass away.
Give now of thy gold and bounty6, for eventually will it pass from thy grasp. Open the door of thy treasure to-day, for to-morrow the key will not be in thy hands.
Drive not the poor man empty from thy door, lest thou should wander before the doors of strangers.
[36]
Story Illustrative of Doing Good to the Evil
A woman said to her husband: “Do not again buy bread from the baker12 in this street. Make thy purchases in the market, for this man shows wheat and sells barley,[12] and he has no customers but a swarm13 of flies.”
“O light of my life,” the husband answered, “pay no heed14 to his trickery. In the hope of our custom has he settled in this place, and not humane15 would it be to deprive him of his profits.”
Follow the path of the righteous, and, if thou stand upon thy feet, stretch out thy hand to them that are fallen.
Story concerning Fasting
The wife of an officer of a king said to her husband: “Arise, and go to the royal palace, that they may give thee food, for thy children are in want.”
“The kitchen is closed to-day,” he answered; “last night the Sultan resolved to fast awhile.”
In the despair of hunger, the woman bowed her head and murmured: “What does the Sultan seek from his fasting when his breaking the fast means a festival of joy for our children?”
One who eats that good may follow is better than a Mammon-worshipper who continually[37] fasts. Proper it is to fast with him who feeds the needy in the morning.
Story Illustrative of Practical Charity
A certain man had generosity without the means of displaying it; his pittance16 was unequal to his benevolence. (May riches never fall to the mean, nor poverty be the lot of the generous!) His charities exceeding the depth of his pocket, therefore was he always short of money.
One day a poor man wrote to him saying: “O thou of happy nature! Assist me with funds, since for some time have I languished17 in prison.”
The generous man would have willingly acceded18 to the request, but he possessed19 not so much as the smallest piece of money. But he sent someone to the creditors20 of the prisoner with the message: “Free this man for a few days, and I will be his security.”
Then did he visit the prisoner in his cell and say: “Arise, and fly with haste from the city.”
When a sparrow sees open the door of its cage, it tarries not a moment. Like the morning breeze, the prisoner flew from the land. Thereupon, they seized his benefactor21, saying: “Produce either the man or the money.”
Powerless to do either, he went to prison, for a bird escaped is ne’er recaught. Long there[38] did he remain, invoking22 help from none, nor complaining, though he slept not at nights through restlessness.
A pious23 man came to him and said: “I did not think that thou wert dishonest; why art thou here imprisoned24?”
“No villainy have I committed,” he replied. “I saw a helpless man in bonds and his freedom only in my own confinement25. I did not deem it right that I should live in comfort while another was fettered26 by the legs.”
Eventually he died, leaving a good name behind.
Happy is he whose name dies not! He who sleeps beneath the earth with a heart that lives is better than he who lives with a soul that is dead, for the former remains for ever.
Story of a Man and a Thirsty Dog
In a desert a man found a dog that was dying from thirst. Using his hat as a bucket, he fetched water from a well and gave it to the helpless animal. The prophet of the time stated that God had forgiven the man his sins because of his kindly27 act.
He who shows kindness to a dog will not do less towards the good among his fellows.
Be generous to the extent of thy power. If[39] thou hast not dug a well in the desert, at least place a lamp in a shrine29.[13]
Charity distributed from an ox’s skin that is filled with treasure counts for less than a dinar given from the wages of toil30.
Do good to others so that on the morrow God may not deal harshly with thee.
A poor man complained of his distressed condition to one who was rich as well as ill-dispositioned. The latter refused to help him, and turned roughly upon him in anger.
The beggar’s heart bled by reason of this violence: “Strange!” he reflected, “that this rich man should be of such forbidding countenance36! Perhaps he fears not the bitterness of begging.”
The rich man ordered his slave to drive the beggar away. As a result of his ingratitude37 for the blessings38 that he enjoyed, Fortune forsook39 him, and he lost all that he possessed. His slave passed into the hands of a generous man of enlightened mind, who was as gladdened at the sight of a beggar as the latter is at the sight of riches.[14]
[40]
One night a beggar asked alms of the latter, and he commanded his slave to give the man to eat. When the slave took food to the supplicant he involuntarily uttered a cry, and went back weeping.
“Why these tears?” his master asked.
“My heart is grieved at the plight40 of this unfortunate old man,” the slave replied. “Once was he the owner of much wealth, and I his slave.”
The master smiled and said: “This is not cause for grief, O son. Time, in its revolutions, is not unjust. Was not that indigent41 man formerly42 a merchant who carried his head high in the air through pride? I am he whom that day he drove from his door. Fate has now put him in the place that I then occupied. Heaven befriended me and washed the dust of sorrow from my face. Though God, in His wisdom, closed one door, another, in His mercy, did He open.”
Many a needy one has become filled, and many a Plutos has gone empty.
Story of a Fool and a Fox
Some one saw a fox that was bereft43 of the use of its legs. He was wondering how the animal managed to live in this condition when a tiger drew near with a jackal in its claws. The[41] tiger ate the jackal, and the fox finished the remains. The next day also did the Omnipotent45 Provider send the fox its daily meal.
The eyes of the man were thus opened to the light of true knowledge. “After this,” he reflected, “I will sit in a corner like an ant, for the elephant’s portion is not gained by reason of its strength.”
So did he sit in silence, waiting for his daily food to come from the Invisible. No one heeded46 him, and soon was he reduced to skin and bones. When, at last, his senses had almost gone through weakness, a voice came out from the wall of a mosque47, saying:
“Go, O false one! Be the rending48 tiger, and pose not as a paralytic49 fox. Exert thyself like the tiger, so that something may remain from thy spoil. Why, like the fox, appease50 thy hunger with leavings? Eat of the fruits of thine own endeavours; strive like a man, and relieve the wants of the needy.”
Seize, O youth, the hand of the aged44; fall not thyself, saying, “Hold my hand.” In the two worlds does he obtain reward who does good to the people of God.
In the remote regions of Turkey there lived a good and pious man, whom I and some fellow-travellers[42] once visited. He received us cordially, and seated us with respect. He had vineyards, and wheat-fields, slaves and gold, but was as miserly as a leafless tree. His feelings were warm, but his fireplace was cold. He passed the night awake in prayer, and we in hunger. In the morning he girt his loins and recommenced the same politeness of the previous night.
One of our party was of merry wit and temper. “Come, give us food in change for a kiss,”[15] he said, “for that is better to a hungry man. In serving me, place not thy hand upon my shoe, but give me bread and strike thy shoe upon my head.”
Idle words are a hollow drum; invocations without merit are a weak support.
Story of Hātim Tai[16]
Hātim Tai possessed a horse whose fleetness was as that of the morning breeze. Of this was the Sultan of Turkey informed.
“Like Hātim Tai,” he was told, “none is equal in generosity; like his horse, nothing is equal in speed and gait. As a ship in the sea it traverses the desert, while the eagle, exhausted55, lags behind.”
“From Hātim will I request that horse,” the[43] king replied. “If he be generous and give it to me, then shall I know that his fame is true; if not, that it is but the sound of a hollow drum.”
So he despatched a messenger with ten followers56 to Hātim. They alighted at the house of the Arab chief, who prepared a feast and killed a horse[17] in their honour.
On the following day, when the messenger explained the object of his mission, Hātim became as one mad with grief. “Why,” he cried, “didst thou not give me before thy message? That swift-paced horse did I roast last night for thee to eat. No other means had I to entertain thee; that horse alone stood by my tent, and I would not that my guests should sleep fasting.”
To the men he gave money and splendid robes, and when the news of his generosity reached to Turkey, the king showered a thousand praises upon his nature.
Story of Hātim and the Messenger sent to kill Him
One of the kings of Yaman was renowned57 for his liberality, yet the name of Hātim was never mentioned in his presence without his falling into a rage. “How long,” he would ask, “wilt58 thou speak of that vain man, who possesses neither a kingdom, nor power, nor wealth?”
[44]
On one occasion he prepared a royal feast, which the people were invited to attend. Someone began to speak of Hātim, and another to praise him. Envious59, the king despatched a man to slay60 the Arabian chief, reflecting: “So long as Hātim lives, my name will never become famous.”
The messenger departed, and travelled far seeking for Hātim that he might kill him. As he went along the road a youth came out to meet him. He was handsome and wise, and showed friendliness61 toward the messenger, whom he took to his house to pass the night. Such liberality did he shower upon his guest that the heart of the evil-minded one was turned to goodness.
In the morning the generous youth kissed his hand and said: “Remain with me for a few days.”
“I am unable to tarry here,” replied the messenger, “for urgent business is before me.”
“O generous man!” was the reply, “give ear to me, for I know that the generous are concealers of secrets. Perhaps in this country thou knowest Hātim, who is of lofty mind and noble qualities. The king of Yaman desires his head, though I know not what enmity has arisen[45] between them. Grateful shall I be if thou wilt direct me to where he is. This hope from thy kindness do I entertain, O friend.”
The youth laughed and said: “I am Hātim; see here my head! strike it from my body with thy sword. I would not that harm should befall thee, or that thou shouldst fail in thy endeavour.”
Throwing aside his sword, the man fell on the ground and kissed the dust of Hātim’s feet. “If I injured a hair on thy body,” he cried, “I should no longer be a man.” So saying, he clasped Hātim to his breast and took his way back to Yaman.
“Come,” said the king as the man approached, “what news hast thou? Why didst thou not tie his head to thy saddle-straps? Perhaps that famous one attacked thee and thou wert too weak to engage in combat.”
The messenger kissed the ground and said: “O wise and just king! I found Hātim, and saw him to be generous and full of wisdom, and in courage superior to myself. My back was bent63 by the burden of his favours; with the sword of kindness and bounty he killed me.”
When he had related all that he had seen of Hātim’s generosity, the king uttered praises upon the family of the Arab chief and rewarded the messenger with gold.
[46]
Story Illustrative of Misdirected Kindness
A certain man, in the ceiling of whose house some bees had built their hives, asked his wife for a butchers’ knife so that he might destroy them. “Do not so,” the woman said, “for the poor creatures will be greatly distressed when turned out of their homes.”
Accordingly, the foolish man left the bees in peace.
One day the woman was stung by one of the insects and stood wailing64 on the doorstep. Hearing her cries, the husband left his shop and hurried towards the house. Angered, he said: “O wife! show not such a bitter face to the world; remember thou didst say to me, ‘Kill not the poor bees.’”
What is a dog that a dish of viands66 should be set before him? Command that they should give him bones. A kicking animal is best well-burdened.
If the night-watchman display humanity, no one sleeps at night for fear of thieves.
In the battle-field, the spear-shaft is worth more than a hundred thousand sugar-canes.
When thou rearest a cat, she destroys thy pigeons; when thou makest fat a wolf, he rends67 one who is dear to thee.
[47]
Raise not a building that has not a strong foundation; if thou dost, beware.
Protect him whose father is dead; remove the dust from his raiment, and injure him not. Thou knowest not how hard is his condition; no foliage71 is there on a rootless tree. Give not a kiss to a child of thine own in the sight of a helpless orphan70. If the latter weep, who will assuage72 his grief? If he be angered, who will bear his burden? See that he weeps not, for the throne of God trembles at the orphan’s lament73. With pity, wipe the tears from his eyes and the dust from his face. If the protecting shadow of his father’s care be gone, cherish him beneath the shadow of thy care.
Upon my head was a kingly crown when it reposed74 upon the bosom75 of my father. Then, if a fly settled upon my body, many were distressed on my behalf. Now, should I be taken in captivity76, not one among my friends would come to aid me. Well do I know the orphan’s sorrow, for my father departed in my childhood.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
benevolence
|
|
| n.慈悲，捐助 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
remains
|
|
| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
generosity
|
|
| n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
piety
|
|
| n.虔诚，虔敬 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
tranquil
|
|
| adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
bounty
|
|
| n.慷慨的赠予物，奖金；慷慨，大方；施与 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
distressed
|
|
| 痛苦的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
judgment
|
|
| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
needy
|
|
| adj.贫穷的，贫困的，生活艰苦的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
supplicant
|
|
| adj.恳求的n.恳求者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
supplicate
|
|
| v.恳求；adv.祈求地，哀求地，恳求地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
baker
|
|
| n.面包师 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
swarm
|
|
| n.(昆虫)等一大群；vi.成群飞舞；蜂拥而入 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
heed
|
|
| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
humane
|
|
| adj.人道的，富有同情心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
pittance
|
|
| n.微薄的薪水，少量 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
languished
|
|
| 长期受苦( languish的过去式和过去分词 )； 受折磨； 变得（越来越）衰弱； 因渴望而变得憔悴或闷闷不乐 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
acceded
|
|
| v.（正式）加入( accede的过去式和过去分词 )；答应；（通过财产的添附而）增加；开始任职 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
possessed
|
|
| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
creditors
|
|
| n.债权人，债主( creditor的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
benefactor
|
|
| n. 恩人，行善的人，捐助人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
invoking
|
|
| v.援引( invoke的现在分词 )；行使（权利等）；祈求救助；恳求 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
pious
|
|
| adj.虔诚的；道貌岸然的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
imprisoned
|
|
| 下狱，监禁( imprison的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
confinement
|
|
| n.幽禁，拘留，监禁；分娩；限制，局限 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
fettered
|
|
| v.给…上脚镣，束缚( fetter的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
kindly
|
|
| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
tyrant
|
|
| n.暴君，专制的君主，残暴的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
shrine
|
|
| n.圣地，神龛，庙；v.将...置于神龛内，把...奉为神圣 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
toil
|
|
| vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
locust
|
|
| n.蝗虫；洋槐，刺槐 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
lenient
|
|
| adj.宽大的，仁慈的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
pawn
|
|
| n.典当，抵押，小人物，走卒；v.典当，抵押 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
apropos
|
|
| adv.恰好地；adj.恰当的；关于 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
nemesis
|
|
| n.给以报应者，复仇者，难以对付的敌手 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
countenance
|
|
| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
ingratitude
|
|
| n.忘恩负义 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
blessings
|
|
| n.（上帝的）祝福( blessing的名词复数 )；好事；福分；因祸得福 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
forsook
|
|
| forsake的过去式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
plight
|
|
| n.困境，境况，誓约，艰难；vt.宣誓，保证，约定 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
indigent
|
|
| adj.贫穷的，贫困的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
formerly
|
|
| adv.从前，以前 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
bereft
|
|
| adj.被剥夺的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
aged
|
|
| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
omnipotent
|
|
| adj.全能的，万能的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
heeded
|
|
| v.听某人的劝告，听从( heed的过去式和过去分词 )；变平，使（某物）变平( flatten的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
mosque
|
|
| n.清真寺 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
rending
|
|
| v.撕碎( rend的现在分词 )；分裂；（因愤怒、痛苦等而）揪扯（衣服或头发等）；（声音等）刺破 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
paralytic
|
|
| adj. 瘫痪的 n. 瘫痪病人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
appease
|
|
| v.安抚，缓和，平息，满足 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
devout
|
|
| adj.虔诚的，虔敬的，衷心的 (n.devoutness) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
miser
|
|
| n.守财奴，吝啬鬼 (adj.miserly) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
excellence
|
|
| n.优秀，杰出，(pl.)优点，美德 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
attained
|
|
| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
exhausted
|
|
| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
followers
|
|
| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
renowned
|
|
| adj.著名的，有名望的，声誉鹊起的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
wilt
|
|
| v.(使)植物凋谢或枯萎；(指人)疲倦，衰弱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
envious
|
|
| adj.嫉妒的，羡慕的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
slay
|
|
| v.杀死，宰杀，杀戮 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
friendliness
|
|
| n.友谊，亲切，亲密 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
entrust
|
|
| v.信赖，信托，交托 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
bent
|
|
| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
wailing
|
|
| v.哭叫，哀号( wail的现在分词 )；沱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
iniquity
|
|
| n.邪恶；不公正 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
viands
|
|
| n.食品，食物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
rends
|
|
| v.撕碎( rend的第三人称单数 )；分裂；（因愤怒、痛苦等而）揪扯（衣服或头发等）；（声音等）刺破 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
discourse
|
|
| n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
orphans
|
|
| 孤儿( orphan的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
orphan
|
|
| n.孤儿；adj.无父母的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
foliage
|
|
| n.叶子，树叶，簇叶 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
assuage
|
|
| v.缓和，减轻，镇定 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
lament
|
|
| n.悲叹，悔恨，恸哭；v.哀悼，悔恨，悲叹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
reposed
|
|
| v.将（手臂等）靠在某人（某物）上( repose的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
bosom
|
|
| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
captivity
|
|
| n.囚禁；被俘；束缚 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |