Story No. 10

One of the scholars had many mouths to feed and only a meager income. He mentioned this to a certain nobleman who trusted and believed in him. But the man frowned at the request, and asking a favor of someone cultured seemed shameful in his eyes. When luck is sour, do not go to a beloved friend with a bitter face, or you will spoil his pleasure too. When you go with a need, go with a bright face and a smile; the affairs of an open-browed, cheerful person never stay shut. They say the man added a little to the scholar's allowance but cut away much of his goodwill. When after a few days the scholar found the old warmth was gone, he said: Wretched is the food won at the cost of humiliation: the pot is set up high, but one's own worth is brought low. It increased my bread but lessened my honor; poverty is better than the disgrace of begging.