Story of a Devout Miser
Project Gutenberg EPUB edition
Sadi and Edwards, A. Hart
In the remote regions of Turkey there lived a good and pious man, whom I and some fellow-travellers 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.”
Excellence is attained by generosity, not by vigils in the night.
Idle words are a hollow drum; invocations without merit are a weak support.