All men are born in an impure state, but only the good reach a state of purity in life and in death. Men are unhappy when striving to know all truth, because truth is greater than their life, and for this life only a small part of truth is necessary. A wolf, asked when he would stop killing sheep, replied, "When man stops killing man." The grass in the field, asked if it were not ashamed always to see nothing but the feet of men, replied: "Not so much ashamed as men should be when they never see our heads." * * * * * A good custom hallows life and keeps men in brotherly unity. Not God, but the prophets make division among men. God likes it more if you think, than if you speak about Him. In speaking evil of Him you do harm not only to yourself, but to your hearers too. Different languages, but the same prayer; different prayers, but the same God. God is the spirit and form-maker; man is only the imitator of the form-maker. A silver piece, asked what it was worth, replied: "If a man could shine as I can, then I am merely worth a man." When the Lord speaks you have to be silent; and the Lord speaks in the night through the stars, in the day through better men than you. The foolish man speaks much because he has to apologise his foolishness, but why must you speak so much? * * * * * The man who fears customs fears the touch of dead and living. Under every success lies a new enemy, the demon of pride. Do not despise even the cicadas; their song is the only solace to the slave in prison. Among all immoderate things the unrestrained tongue is the most annoying. Death is not a punishment for him that dies, but a warning for the living. A long work and a short prayer edifies the house, but a long prayer and a short work destroys it. Life without prayer--night without moonlight. God is not hidden, but our eyes are too small to see Him. The smile in the sunshine is easy and common; the smile in the stormy weather is beautiful and rare. It is better to go to bed hungry than with a stolen supper in the stomach. * * * * * If you like to get friendship from a man, say only a good word about him in his absence. If you like to pacify a dog, say a good word to his face. Life gives to every slave an empty glass to fill it either with tears or with hopes. When God wishes to punish a man He lets him be born among the rough neighbours. The night rebuked the clouds because they were so black. The wolf rebuked the dog because he was so wicked. It is better to be as patient as God than as righteous as God. By true prayer we confess our sins; by false prayer we report our deeds to God. Every welcome guest may fail to come, except death, the most unwelcome.