◆ SpookStack

wa THE DIVINE INSTRUCTIONS ‘ , 2. Let the bonds of affection, therefore, unite thee with thy brothers, ° that peace and happiness may dwell in thy father’s house.. 3. And when ye separate in the world, remember the relation that bindeth you to love and unity; and prefer not a stranger before thy own blood. 4. If thy brother is in adversity, assist him; if thy sister is in trouble, forsake her not. 5. So shall the fortunes of thy father contribute to the support of his whole race; and his care be continued to you all, in your love to each other. CHAPTER XXVI HOLY INSTRUCTIONS OF UNITY 1. The gifts of the understanding are the treasures of Allah; and ‘He appointed to every one his portion, in what measure seemeth good unto Himself. 2. Hath He endowed thee with wisdom? Hath He enlightened thy mind with the knowledge of truth? Communicate it to the ignorant, for their instruction; communicate it to the wise, for thine own improvement. . 3. True wisdom is less presuming than folly. The wise man doubteth often, and changeth his mind; the fool is obstinate, and doubtett mat- he Lenwath all thingse at Wie trnneanrea fi FR y _ KnOW what OAL bitin S, but ae oat ignorance, 4. The pride of emptiness is an abomination; and to talk much, is the foolishness of folly; nevertheless, it is the part of wisdom to hear with patience their impertinence, and to pity their absurdity. 5. Yet be not puffed up in thine own conceit, neither boast of superior understanding ; the clearest human knowledge is but blindness and folly. 6. The wise man feeleth his imperfections, and is humbled; he. laboreth in vain for his own approbation but the foo! peepeth: in the shadow stream of his own mind, and is pleased with the pebbles which he seeth at the bottom; he bringeth them up and showeth them as pearls and with 1 the’ applause of his brethren delighteth himaelf. 7. He boasteth of attainments in things that are of no worth; but where it is a shame to be ignorant, there he hath no understanding. — & Even m the path of wisdom, he toileth after folly; and shame and disappomtment are the reward of his labor. 9. But the wise man cultivates his mind with knowledge; the im- provements of arts is his dehght, and their utility to the public crowneth with honor. - | Nevertheless, the attainment of virtue he accounteth as the Mighest earning; and the science of happiness i is the study of his life. ™ THE HOLY UNITY OF THE RICH AND THE POOR 1 The | man to whom Allah hath given riches, and blessed with a - . “aie to emphoy we Aah is peculiarly favored and highly Sings en ad : ets