Negligently hast thou let the pure water go; how canst thou now perform thy ablutions, except with sand?[36]
Sadi’s Rebuke from a Camel-driver
One night in the desert of Faid[37] my feet became fettered with sleep. A camel-driver awoke me, saying: “Arise; since thou heedest not the sound of the bell, perhaps thou desirest to be left behind! I, like thee, would sleep awhile, but the desert stretches ahead. How wilt thou reach the journey’s end if thou sleepest when the drum of departure beats?”
Happy are they who have prepared their baggage before the beat of the drum! The sleepers by the wayside raise not their heads and the caravan has passed out of sight.
He who was early awake surpassed all on the road; what availed it to awaken when the caravan had gone?
This is the time to sow the deeds of the harvest thou wouldst reap.
Go not bankrupt to the Resurrection, for it availeth not to sit in regret. By means of the stock that thou hast, O son, profit can be acquired; what profit accrueth to him who consumeth his stock himself?
Strive now, when the water reacheth not beyond thy waist; delay not until the flood has passed over thy head.
Heed the counsel of the wise to-day, for to-morrow will Nakir[38] question thee with sternness. Esteem as a privilege thy precious soul, for a cage without a bird has no value. Waste not thy time in sorrow and regret, for opportunity is precious and Time is a sword.