Story Illustrative of Pious Men regarding themselves with Contempt
Project Gutenberg EPUB edition
Sadi and Edwards, A. Hart
A sagacious youth of noble family landed at a seaport of Turkey, and, as he displayed piety and wisdom, his baggage was deposited in a mosque.
One day the priest said to him: “Sweep away the dust and rubbish from the mosque.”
Immediately, the young man went away and no one saw him there again. Thus, did the elder and his followers suppose he did not care to serve.
The next day, a servant of the mosque met him on the road and said: “Thou didst act wrongly in thy perverse judgment. Knowest thou not, O conceited youth, that men are dignified by service?”
Sorrowfully, the youth began to weep. “O soul-cherishing and heart-illuminating friend!” he answered; “I saw no dirt or rubbish in that holy place but mine own corrupt self. Therefore, I retraced my steps, for a mosque is better cleansed from such.”
Humility is the only ritual for a devotee. If thou desire greatness, be humble; no other ladder is there by which to climb.