When eating little has become the nature of a man He takes...

When eating little has become the nature of a man He takes it easy when a calamity befalls him But when the body becomes strong in affluence He will die when a hardship overtakes him. Story 8 One of the philosophers forbade his son to eat much because repletion keeps people ailing. The boy replied: 'O father, it is hunger that kills. Hast thou not heard of the maxim of the ingenious that it is better to die satiated than to bear hunger?' He rejoined: 'Be moderate.

Eat and drink but not to excess.' Eat not so much that it comes up to thy mouth Nor so little that from weakness thy soul comes up. Although maintenance of life depends upon food Victuals bring on disease when eaten to excess. If thou eatest rose-confectionery without appetite it injures thee But eating dry bread after a long fast is like rose-preserve.

Story 9 A sick man having been asked what his heart desired replied: 'That it may not desire anything.' When the bowels are full and the belly pains There is no use in all other things being right. Story 10 A grain dealer to whom Sufis were owing some money asked them for it every day in the town of Waset and used harsh language towards them.

The companions had become weary of his reproaches but had no other remedy than to bear them; and one of them who was a pious man remarked: 'It is more easy to pacify a hungry stomach with promises of food than a grain dealer with promises of money.' It is preferable to be without the bounty of a gentleman Than to bear the insults of the gate-keepers. It is better to die wishing for meat Than to endure the expostulations of butchers.

Story 11 A brave warrior who had received a dreadful wound in the Tatar war was informed that a certain merchant possessed a medicine which he would probably not refuse to give if asked for; but it is related that the said merchant was also well known for his avarice. If instead of bread he had the sun in his table-cloth No one could see daylight till the day of resurrection.

The warrior replied: 'If I ask for the medicine he will either give it or refuse it and if he gives it maybe it will profit me, and maybe not. At any rate the inconvenience of asking it from him is a lethal poison.' Whatever thou obtainest by entreaties from base men Will profit thy body but injure thy soul.