THE IDEAL MINISTER
111
The Ideal Minister
From the Tractate Taanith in the Babylonian Talmud
BEHOLD him humble and with naught of wealth,
Save for the righteousness within his soul
And knowledge stored abundantly therein,
More precious than the riches of the earth;
Gentle and meek and lowly in his ways,
Knowing the source wherefrom his wisdom flows;
Labor despising not, he turneth toil
Into a blessing. And his heart is set
In tender moulding of a father's love.
For he hath children, that he well may know
The heart of other men; and so he prayeth
E'en with such fervor and such earnestness
For sons of others; grown compassionate,
As hath a father pity on his son.
