Accordingly, the foolish man left the bees in peace. One day the woman was stung by one of the insects and stood wailing on the doorstep. Hearing her cries, the husband left his shop and hurried towards the house. Angered, he said: “O wife! show not such a bitter face to the world; remember thou didst say to me, ‘Kill not the poor bees.’” How can one do good to the evil? Forbearance with the wicked but increases their iniquity. What is a dog that a dish of viands should be set before him? Command that they should give him bones. A kicking animal is best well-burdened. If the night-watchman display humanity, no one sleeps at night for fear of thieves. In the battle-field, the spear-shaft is worth more than a hundred thousand sugar-canes. When thou rearest a cat, she destroys thy pigeons; when thou makest fat a wolf, he rends one who is dear to thee. Raise not a building that has not a strong foundation; if thou dost, beware. DISCOURSE CONCERNING KINDNESS TO ORPHANS Protect him whose father is dead; remove the dust from his raiment, and injure him not. Thou knowest not how hard is his condition; no foliage is there on a rootless tree. Give not a kiss to a child of thine own in the sight of a helpless orphan. If the latter weep, who will assuage his grief? If he be angered, who will bear his burden? See that he weeps not, for the throne of God trembles at the orphan’s lament. With pity, wipe the tears from his eyes and the dust from his face. If the protecting shadow of his father’s care be gone, cherish him beneath the shadow of thy care. Upon my head was a kingly crown when it reposed upon the bosom of my father. Then, if a fly settled upon my body, many were distressed on my behalf. Now, should I be taken in captivity, not one among my friends would come to aid me. Well do I know the orphan’s sorrow, for my father departed in my childhood. CHAPTER III CONCERNING LOVE Happy are the days of them that are infatuated by love for Him, whether they be sorrowed by separation from Him or made joyous by His presence. They are mendicants who fly from worldly sovereignty; in the hope of meeting Him they are patient in their mendicity. Oft have they drunk of the wine of anguish; be it bitter, they remain silent. In the remembrance of Him patience is not bitter, for wormwood is sweet from the hand of a friend. They that are captive in the coils of His love, seek not to escape; they suffer reproach, but are monarchs in the seclusion of their meditation, and their way is not known. They are like the temple of Jerusalem, splendid of which is the interior, but whose outer wall is left in ruin. Like moths, they burn themselves in the fire of love. Their beloved is in their breasts, yet do they seek Him; though near a fountain, their lips are parched.[18] DISCOURSE CONCERNING CONSTANCY Thy love renders thee impatient and disturbed. With such sincerity hast thou placed thy head at her feet that thou art oblivious to the world.