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Stories XXXVI and XXXVII

were two brothers; one of them in the service of the Sultân, and the other gaining his livelihood by the effort of his arm. The wealthy man once asked his destitute brother why he did not serve the Sultân, in order to be delivered from the hardship of labouring. He replied: "Why labourest thou not, to be delivered from the baseness of service, because philosophers have said that it is better to eat barley-bread and sit than to gird oneself with a golden belt and to stand in service. To leaven mortar of quicklime with the hand is better to hold them on the breast before the Amir."

had brought information to Nurshirvân the Just that an enemy of his had been removed from this world by God the Most High. He asked: "Hast thou heard anything about His intending to spare me? There is no occasion for our rejoicing at a foe's death, because our own life will also not last for ever."