第548页 / 共1116页

The FIFTH BEHEST, O my son, is Keep thy wealth and it will keep

thee; guard thy money and it will guard thee; and waste not thy

substance lest haply thou come to want and must fare a-begging

from the meanest of mankind. Save thy dirhams and deem them the

sovereignest salve for the wounds of the world. And here again I

have heard that one of the poets said:-

When fails my wealth no friend will deign befriend: * When wealth

abounds all friends their friendship tender: How many friends

lent aid my wealth to spend; * But friends to lack of wealth no

friendship render.