What is a fool?

What is a fool?’ He said ‘He is one who is admirable in his own view to himself, He who considers all merit to be for him and not against him, and who finds all rights to be for himself and does not find against himself any right.

Such is the fool for whom there is no way to cure him.’ (5) The Heart’s Sickness 54 And Jesus the son of Mary said: There is no sickness of the heart more severe than callousness, and no soul is more severely affected than the one that goes without hunger, and these two are the halters of expulsion [from divine mercy] and abandonment. (6) 55. Verily, Jesus (‘a) said: Why do you come to me clothed in the garments of monks while your hearts are those of ferocious wolves?

Wear the clothes of kings, but soften your hearts with fear . (7) Anger and Its Source 56. It is reported that Abu ‘Abd Allah [Imam Sadiq] (‘a) said The disciples said to Jesus the son of Mary (‘a): ‘O teacher of the good!

Teach us what is the most severe of things.’ Then he said: the most severe of things is the wrath of Allah.’ They said: ‘Then what prevents the wrath of Allah?’ He said: ‘That you are not wrathful.’ They said: ‘What is the source of wrath?’ He said: ‘Pride, haughtiness and contempt for the people. (8) Five Evils 57.

It is reported that Abu ‘Abd Allah, [Imam Sadiq], Peace be upon him, said: The Messiah, Peace be upon him, used to say: ‘He who has many worries, his body becomes sick; he who is ill-tempered, his self becomes his torment; he who often talks, often stumbles; he who often lies, loses his worth; he who quarrels with men, loses his manliness. (9) Evil scholars 58. Imam Sadiq (‘a) said: Jesus the son of Mary, Peace be upon our Prophet and his progeny and with him. said: Woe unto the evil scholars!

How the fire inflames them! (10) Satan’s Clientele 59. Jesus (‘a) met Iblis who was driving five donkeys. Loads were upon them. Jesus (‘a) asked him about the loads. Iblis said, They are for trade, and I am looking for buyers. Jesus (‘a) said, What is the merchandise? Iblis said, One of them is injustice. He (‘a) asked, Who buys it? He said, Rulers. And the second is pride. He asked, Who buys it? He said, Village chiefs. And the third is envy. He asked, Who buys it? He said, The learned.

And the fourth is treason. He asked, Who buys it? He said, Those who work for merchants. And the fifth is trickery. He said, Who buys it? He said, Women (11). The Richest of All Men 60.