That prayer is the key to hell which thou performest only before the eyes of men. If the high-road of thy life lead to aught but God, thy prayer-mat will be thrown into the fire. He whose heart is good and makes no outward show of piety is better than one of outward sanctity whose heart is false. A night-prowling robber is better than a sinner in the tunic of a saint. Expect not wages from Omar, O son, when thou workest in the house of Zaid. If in private I am bad and mean, of what avail is it to pose before the world with honour? How much will the bag of hypocrisy weigh in the Scales of Justice? The outside of the hypocrite’s coat is neater than the lining, for the one is seen and the other is hidden. CHAPTER VI CONCERNING CONTENTMENT He knows not God nor performs His worship who is not contented with his lot. Contentment maketh a man rich—tell this to the avaricious. O irresolute one! be tranquil, for grass grows not upon revolving stones. Pamper not thy body if thou be a man of sense, for in so doing dost thou seek thine own destruction. The wise acquire virtue, and they that pamper their bodies are devoid of merit. Eating and sleeping is the creed of animals; to adopt it is the manner of fools. Happy is that fortunate man who, in meditation, prepares for the last journey by means of the knowledge of God. To him who knows not the darkness from the light the face of a demon is as that of a Houri.[26] How can the falcon fly to the sky when the stone of avarice is tied to its wing? If thou pay less attention to thy food than to worship thou mayest become an angel. First cultivate the qualities of a man, then reflect upon the character of angels. Eat in proportion to thy hunger; how can he give praises who scarce can breathe by reason of his gluttony? He whose stomach is full is void of wisdom. The prey is entrapped in the snare because of its greed. STORY OF THE KING OF KHWARAZM[27] A covetous man paid an early morning visit to the king of Khwarazm, and twice prostrated himself to the ground before him. “Tell me, O father,” his son inquired, “didst thou not say that Mecca was thy place of worship? Why didst thou to-day repeat thy prayers before the king?” Contentment exalteth the head; that which is full of avarice comes no higher than the shoulder. He who has wrapped up the volume of his avarice needs not to write to any one, “I am thy slave and servant.” By begging wilt thou be driven from every assembly; drive it from thyself, so that no one may drive thee away. CONCERNING THE EVILS OF OVER-EATING Some said to a pious man who was stricken with fever: “Ask for some conserve of roses from such a one.” “Oh, friend,” he replied, “it were better to die in bitterness than to endure the affliction of his sour face.” A wise man does not eat conserve of roses from the hand of one whose face has been soured by pride.