From the Banquet of Xenophon
The following dialog is thought to be based on a conversation that actually took place. It struck me as apposite to several sayings of Baha'u'llah in the Words of Wisdom and the Seven Valleys about the importance of contentment.
From: Xenophon: Memorabilia, Oeconomicus, Symposium, Apologia, Loeb Classical Library, by Xenophon (Author), E. C. Marchant (Translator), O. J. Todd (Translator) 1923, 279-282
Then Socrates turning to Antisthenes; "And what reason have you," said he, "who have very little or no money, to value yourself upon wealth?"
Antisthenes: "Because I am of opinion, gentlemen, that poverty and wealth are not in the coffers of those we call rich or poor, but in the heart only. For I see numbers of very rich men, who believe themselves poor; nor is there any peril or labour they would not expose themselves to, to acquire more wealth.
"I knew two brothers, the other day, who shared equally their father's estate. The first had enough, and something to spare; the other wanted every thing. I have heard likewise of some princes so greedy of wealth, that they were more notoriously criminal in the search of it than private men. For though the latter may sometimes steal, break houses, and sell free persons to slavery, to support the necessities of life, yet those do much worse. They ravage whole countries, put nations to the sword, enslave free states, and all this for the sake of money, and to fill the coffers of their treasury. The truth is, I have a great deal of compassion for these men, when I consider the distemper that afflicts them.
"Is it not an unhappy condition to have a great deal to eat, to eat a great deal, and yet never be satisfied?
"For my part, though I confess I have no money at home, yet I want none because I never eat but just as much as will satisfy my hunger, nor drink but to quench my thirst. I clothe myself in such manner that I am as warm abroad as Callias, with all his great abundance. And when I am at home, the floor and the wall, without mats or tapestry, make my chamber warm enough for me.
"And as for my bed, such as it is, I find it more difficult to awake than to fall asleep in it. ... But don't mistake me, gentlemen, for governing my passion in this as in other things; I am so far from desiring to have more pleasure in the enjoyment, that I wish it less, because, upon due consideration, I find those pleasures that touch us in the most sensible manner deserve not to be esteemed the most worthy of us. But observe the chief advantage I reap from my poverty; it is, that in case the little I have should be taken entirely from me, there is no occupation so poor, no employment in life so barren, but would maintain me without the least uneasiness, and afford me a dinner without any trouble.
"For if I have an inclination at any time to regale myself and indulge my appetite, I can do it easily; it is but going to market, not to buy dainties (they are too dear), but my temperance gives that quality to the most common food, and, by that means, the contentedness of my mind supplies me with delicacies, that are wanting in the meat itself.
"Now, it is not the excessive price of what we eat that gives it a relish, but it is necessity and appetite. Of this I have experience just now, while I am speaking; for this generous wine of Thasos, (the noblest vines, that grew in one of the Grecian islands) that I am now drinking, the exquisite flavour of it is the occasion that I drink it now, without thirst, and consequently without pleasure. Besides all this, I find it is necessary to live thus, in order to live honestly.
"For he that is content with what he has, will never covet what is his neighbour's. Further, it is certain the wealth I am speaking of makes men liberal. For Socrates, from whom I have all mine, never gave it me by number or weight, but whenever I was willing to receive, he loads me always with as much as I can carry. I do the same by my friends; I never conceal my plenty. On the contrary, I show them all I have, and at the same time I let them share with me.
"It is from this, likewise, I am become master of one of the most delightful things in the world. I mean, that soft and charming leisure that permits me to see everything that is worthy to be seen, and to hear every thing that is worthy to be heard. It is, in one word, that which affords me the happiness of hearing Socrates from morning to night, for he having no great veneration for those that can only count vast sums of gold and silver converses only with them who he finds are agreeable to him and deserve his company."
"Truly," said Callias, "I admire you, and these your excellent riches, for two reasons: first, that thereby you are no slave to the government: and, secondly, that no body can take it ill you do not lend them money."
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