The Sufi sage Saadi from Shiraz was walking with a caravan to Baghdad, when suddenly the caravan was attacked by robbers.
When, bypassing the caravanners one by one, they approached Saadi and demanded his wealth, he handed the leader a stack of books and several gold pieces.
“I give you these things,” said Saadi, “so that you can not treat them as stolen, but use them for good.”
The robbers laughed, and their leader asked:
“I hope you won’t teach us good things?”
- No. I don't think I can teach you anything. Still, I give you these items and hope that you will do something for me.
“And what do you want us to do?”
- Find a wise man, give him these books and pay him money. Let him at least teach your children so that they know that stealing is a sin and do not repeat your mistakes.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru