Rather than love， than money， than fame， give me truth. I sat at a table where were rich food and wine in abundance， and obsequious attendance， but sincerity and truth were not； and I went away hungry from the inhospitable board. The hospitality was as cold as the ices. I thought that there was no need of ice to freeze them. They talked to me of the age of the wine and the fame of the vintage； but I thought of an older， a newer， and purer wine， of a more glorious vintage， which they had not got， and could not buy. The style， the house and grounds and "entertainment" pass for nothing with me. I called on the king， but he made me wait in his hall， and conducted like a man incapacitated for hospitality. There was a man in my neighborhood who lived in a hollow tree. His manners were truly regal. I should have done better had I called on him.
不管你的生活如何卑微，你都要严肃认真地对待它。不要逃避生活，也不要用恶毒的话描述生活。你的生活不像你自己那么糟糕。当你最富有的时候，生活看上去反倒是最贫穷的。故意挑毛病的人，连天堂也不会放过。虽然生活清贫，但你要对生活付出热情。即便身处贫民窟，你也可能会分享到一段快乐、激动、灿烂的时光。西下的落日洒在贫民窟窗户上的光芒，与照在富贵人家豪宅上一样光彩夺目；到了早春的时候，门前的积雪同样会融化。我唯一能看到的是：一个心态平静的人在那里可以心满意足地生活，怀着乐观向上的思想，仿佛居住在皇宫里一般。在我看来，城镇贫民的生活反倒常常是最独立的。或许他们只是足够伟大，因此可以毫无顾虑地对待世间的事情。大部分人认为他们对于城镇的恩惠不屑一顾。可在现实生活中，他们维持生活的手段反而？ 常是不诚实的，这让他们更为声名狼藉。向圣贤学习，像培育花园中的花草一样来培育贫困吧。不管是衣服还是朋友，没必要不辞辛苦地去获取新东西。