Hatim Tai, having been asked whether he had seen in the world anyone of more exalted sentiments than himself, replied: ‘Yes, one day I slaughtered forty camels to entertain Arab amirs. I had occasion to go out on some business into a corner of the desert, where I noticed a gatherer of briars, who had accumulated a hillock of thistles, and I asked him why he had not become a guest of Hatim since many people had come round to his banquet but he replied: <br /> <br /> “Who eats bread by the work of his own hand <br /> Will not bear to be obliged to Hatim Tai.” <br /> <br />Then I saw that his sentiments were more exalted than mine.’<br /><br />Saadi Shirazi<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/ch-03-on-the-excellence-of-contentment-story-15/
