“ ‘Tis well,” he continued, “to help those that are in trouble, ’tis well to help those upon whom fate has laid a heavy hand. ‘Tis well to help those who are starting that they may progress and become valuable citizens. But help must be given wisely, lest, like the farmer’s ass, in our desire to help we but take upon ourselves the burden that belongs to another.
Again I wandered from thy question, Rodan, but heat my answer: Keep thy fifty pieces of gold. What thy labor earns for thee and what is given thee for reward is thine own and no man can put an obligation upon thee to part with it unless it do be thy wish. If wouldst loan it, so that it may earn thee more gold, then lend with caution, and in many places. I like not idle gold, even less I like too much of risk.
“How many years hast labored as a spearmaker?”
“Fully three.”
“How much besides the king’s gift hast saved?”
“Three gold pieces.”
“Each year that thou hast labored thou hast denied thyself good things to save from thine earnings one piece of gold.”
“ ’Tis as you say.”
“Then mightst save in fifty years of labor fifty pieces of gold by thy self-denial.”
“A lifetime of labor it would be.”
“Thinkest thou thy sister would wish to jeopardize the savings of fifty years of labor over the bronze melting pot that her husband might experiment on being a merchant?”
“Not if I spoke in your words.”
“Then go to her and say, ‘Three years I have labored each day except fast days, from morning until night, and I have denied myself many things that my heart craved. For each year of labor and self-denial I—30—
