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On the Effects of Education

son of a pious man inherited great wealth left him by some uncles, whereon he plunged into dissipation and profligacy, became a spendthrift, and, in short, left no heinous transgression unperpetrated and no intoxicant untasted. I advised him and said: "My son! Income is a flowing water, and expense a turning mill; that is to say, only he who has a fixed revenue is entitled to indulge in abundant expenses. If thou hast no income, spend but frugally; because the sailors chant this song: 'If there be no rain in the mountains, the bed of the Tigris will be dry in one year.' Follow wisdom and propriety, abandon play and sport, because thy wealth will be exhausted, whereon thou wilt fall into trouble and will repent."

The youth was prevented by the delights of the flute and of drink from accepting my admonition, but found fault therewith, saying that it is contrary to the opinion of intelligent men to embitter present tranquillity by cares concerning the future: "Why should possessors of enjoyment and luck bear sorrow for fear of distress? Go, be merry, my heart-rejoicing friend, the pain of to-morrow must not be eaten to-day! And how could I restrain myself, who am occupying the highest seat of liberality, have bound the knot of generosity, and the fame of whose beneficence has become the topic of general conversation? Who has become known for his liberality and generosity must not put a lock upon his dirhems. When the name of a good fellow has spread in a locality the door cannot be closed against it."

When I perceived that he did not accept my advice, and that my warm breath was not taking effect upon his cold iron, I left off admonishing him, and turned away my face from his companionship, acting according to the words of philosophers,