The Thief and the Devout Man

A thief broke into the home of a devout man. He searched and searched but found nothing, and grew disheartened. The devout man learned of this, and so he tossed the very rug he had been sleeping on into the thief's path, so the man would not leave empty-handed. I have heard that those who walk the path of God never caused grief even to their enemies. How could you ever reach such a station, when you are at odds and at war even with your friends? The love of pure-hearted people is the same to your face as behind your back; it is not the kind that faults you in private while flattering you when you are near. To your face, gentle as a harmless sheep; behind your back, like a man-eating wolf. Whoever brings you the faults of others and lists them out will surely carry your faults off to others.