A boy who suffers not at the hands of his teacher suffers at the hands of Time. Make thy son good and independent, so that he may not be beholden to any man. Protect him from evil associates; and pity him not if he bring ruin and destruction upon himself, for it is better that a vicious son should die before his father. SADI REBUKED FOR HIS FAULT-FINDING There was a certain young preacher who was learned and intelligent, a man of sanctity and a true worshipper. He was forcible in eloquence and correct in grammar, but his articulation was so faulty that he could not properly repeat the letters of the alphabet. I said to a holy man: “The youth has not got his front teeth!” “Speak not thus,” he replied. “Thou hast discerned his fault, but thine eyes are closed to his many virtues. Thorns and roses grow together; why regardest thou only the thorns? He who is of bad nature sees nothing in the peacock but its ugly feet.” Expose not the faults of others, for thereby art thou forgetful of thine own failings. Whether I be good or evil, keep thou silent, for I am the bearer of my own profit and loss, and God is better acquainted with my character than thou. I seek no reward from thee for my virtues so that I may not be afflicted by thee by reason of my sins. For every good act God will bestow, not one, but ten rewards. If thou see one virtue in a man, do thou pass over the ten faults that he hath. Are not all things created the product of the art of God?—black they are and white, handsome and deformed. Not every eye and eyebrow that thou seest is good: eat the kernel of the nut and throw the husk away. CHAPTER VIII CONCERNING GRATITUDE I cannot give thanks to that Friend, for I know of none that are worthy. Every hair of my body is a gift from Him; how could I thank Him for every hair? Praise be to the munificent Lord, Who from non-existence brought His creatures into being. Who can describe His goodness? All praises are encompassed by His glory. See how from childhood to old age he has endowed thee with a splendid robe! He made thee pure; therefore, be pure—unworthy it is to die impured by sin. Let not the dust remain upon the mirror, for once grown dull it never again will polish. When thou dost seek to gain the means of life, rely not upon the strength of thine own arms. O self-worshipper! why lookest thou not to God, Who giveth power to thy hand? If by thy striving thou doest aught of good, take not the credit to thyself; know it to be by the grace of God. Thou standest not by thine own strength—from the Invisible art thou sustained each moment. A MOTHER’S WARNING TO HER SON