The Morals of Dervishes
STORY LXXII
A Pâdshâh asked a hermit: "How spendest thou thy precious time?" He replied: "I am all night engaged in prayer, during the morning in supplications, and the rest of the day in restricting my expenses." Then the King ordered a sufficient allowance to be allotted to him, so as to relieve him of the cares of his family.
O thou! who art encumbered with a family, think no more of ever enjoying the freedom; cares for children, raiment, and food restrain thee from the heavenly kingdom. Every day I renew my determination to wait upon God until the night. In the night, while tying the knot of prayer, I think what my children will eat on the morrow.
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