An ascetic's son inherited immense wealth from the Omani legacy. He began debauchery and profligacy. In short, there was no sin he did not commit and no intoxicant he did not consume.

One day, I advised him: 'O son! Income is like flowing water, and pleasure is like a turning mill; meaning, excessive spending is only justifiable for someone with a fixed income.'

If you have no income, spend more slowly

As sailors say in a song

If rain does not fall on the mountains

In a year, the Tigris will become a dry riverbed

Embrace reason and good manners and abandon frivolity and play, for when wealth is gone, you will suffer hardship and regret.

The boy, engrossed in the pleasure of music and wine, did not heed this advice and objected to my words, saying: 'To spoil immediate comfort with the anxiety of future hardship is contrary to the wise opinion.'

The possessors of pleasure and good fortune

Why should they suffer hardship for fear of hardship?

Go and be happy, O heart-illuminating friend

One should not grieve for tomorrow today

Especially for me, who sits at the head of generosity, has made a pact of chivalry, and whose acts of kindness are on the tongues of the common people.

Whoever becomes known for generosity and kindness

Should not put a lock on his door

When the name of goodness goes out into the street

You cannot close the door in its face

I saw that he did not accept advice and my warm breath had no effect on his cold iron. I stopped advising him and turned away from his company, following the words of the wise who said: 'Convey what is upon you, and if they do not accept, it is not upon you.'

Even if you know they will not hear, speak

Whatever you know of goodwill and advice

It may soon be that you see the stubborn one

Fallen into bondage with both feet

He wrings his hands, saying: 'Alas, I did not listen to the words of the wise man.'

After some time, I saw the misfortune I had foreseen in his condition; he was sewing together scraps and gathering morsels. My heart was saddened by his weakness, and I did not consider it proper to rub salt into the wound by reproaching him in such a state. So I said to myself:

A base companion at the end of his intoxication

Does not think of the day of poverty

A tree sheds its leaves in spring

It will inevitably remain leafless in winter