A wise man was advising his sons, saying, "Beloved children, seek skills and knowledge, for the wealth and power of this world cannot be relied upon. Gold and silver are exposed to danger on journeys; a thief may take it all at once, or a master may squander it bit by bit. But skill and knowledge are like a flowing spring and bring lasting fortune. Even if a person with skills loses wealth, there is no need to grieve, for skills are a form of wealth in themselves. Wherever they go, they are valued and given honor, while those without skills may scrape for crumbs and endure hardship.
It is difficult to submit to commands after holding power,
And hard for those used to luxury to bear the cruelty of others.
Once, a calamity struck in Syria,
And everyone scattered from their homes.
Scholarly villagers rose to become ministers to the king,
While the less-wise sons of the ministers ended up as beggars in the villages."
