I was sitting in a boat with a group of dignitaries.

A small boat sank behind us, and two brothers fell into a whirlpool.

One of the dignitaries said to the boatman: Save both of them, and I will give you fifty dinars for each.

The boatman jumped into the water, and by the time he rescued one, the other had perished.

I said: His remaining lifespan was over, and for this reason, he was slow in saving him and hastened in saving the other.

The boatman laughed and said: What you said is certain, and also, I was more inclined to save this one because once I was stranded in a desert, and he put me on a camel, and I had received a lash from the other one in my childhood.

I said: God has spoken the truth: 'Whoever does a righteous deed does so for his own soul; and whoever does evil does so against it.'

As long as you can, do not scratch the heart of anyone

For there are thorns in this path.

Fulfill the need of the poor dervish

For you too will have needs.