XXII
Complaisance
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The gracious expect no return when they oblige: how ever can the world repay the rain-cloud?
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The substance gathered in by the worthy by the labour of their hands is all for others’ use.
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A better thing than a gracious complaisance cannot be had either here or in heaven.
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He alone liveth who knoweth what is proper: he who knoweth not what is fitting shall be classed with the dead.
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Behold the village tank filled with water to its brim: like unto it is the prosperity of the wise man that loveth the world.
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Like unto a fruit-tree in the middle of the village bearing fruit is riches in the hands of the man of heart.
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Like unto a tree that yieldeth medicinal drugs and drieth not is riches in the hands of the generous man.
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Behold the men who know what is just and proper: they fail not to oblige others even when fallen on evil days.
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The complaisant man thinketh himself poor only when he is impotent to oblige those who solicit his aid.
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If ruin cometh as a result of complaisance, it is worth courting even by selling one’s own self into slavery.