Our state is no different. Thou seest faults because thou lovest not, and art not susceptible of experiencing this feeling. If thou hadst the least knowledge of what love is, the faults of the beloved object would seem to thee good qualities.
THE LOVER AND THE MISTRESS.
A man, brave and impetuous as a lion, was in love with a woman for five years. Yet a slight film could be seen in the eye of this fair one; but the man did not notice it, although he often gazed upon his mistress. How, indeed, could a man plunged in so violent a love have noticed this defect? However, his love at last diminished; a medicine cured this malady. When love for this woman had grown weak in the heart of the one who loved her, he easily regained mastery over himself. Then he saw the deformity in his friend’s eye, and asked her how this white spot had appeared. “From the moment,” she replied, “that thy love became less, my eye showed its defect. When thy love became defective, my eye likewise became so in thy sight. Thou hast filled thy heart with trouble through the aversion thou now feelest; but look, O blind one of heart, upon thine own faults. How long wilt thou seek the faults of others? Rather strive to concern thyself with those thou carefully concealest. When thine own sins weigh heavily upon thee, thou wilt pay no heed to those of others.”
THE LOVER AND THE MISTRESS.
A man, brave and impetuous as a lion, was in love with a woman for five years. Yet a slight film could be seen in the eye of this fair one; but the man did not notice it, although he often gazed upon his mistress. How, indeed, could a man plunged in so violent a love have noticed this defect? However, his love at last diminished; a medicine cured this malady. When love for this woman had grown weak in the heart of the one who loved her, he easily regained mastery over himself. Then he saw the deformity in his friend’s eye, and asked her how this white spot had appeared. “From the moment,” she replied, “that thy love became less, my eye showed its defect. When thy love became defective, my eye likewise became so in thy sight. Thou hast filled thy heart with trouble through the aversion thou now feelest; but look, O blind one of heart, upon thine own faults. How long wilt thou seek the faults of others? Rather strive to concern thyself with those thou carefully concealest. When thine own sins weigh heavily upon thee, thou wilt pay no heed to those of others.”
THE PREFECT OF POLICE
One day the prefect of police struck a drunken man. The latter said to him: “Do not make such a commotion, for you too take liberties with what is forbidden; you bring drunkenness and cast it into the road. You yourself are far drunker than I; but no one notices this drunkenness. So henceforth do not torment me, and seek justice against yourself as well.”
One day the prefect of police struck a drunken man. The latter said to him: “Do not make such a commotion, for you too take liberties with what is forbidden; you bring drunkenness and cast it into the road. You yourself are far drunker than I; but no one notices this drunkenness. So henceforth do not torment me, and seek justice against yourself as well.”