GhazzaWs Alchemy of Happiness. 



103 



wards increases. The Lord Jesus (upon whom be peace !) 

 declares that the world is like the man who drinks sea- 

 water. The more he drinks, the more his internal heat in- 

 creases. And unless he stops, he will destroy himself by- 

 drinking. 



Man in this world resembles the guest who was invited 

 to partake of the hospitality of a rich man. In token of 

 respect, the servants set before him silver washing-basins, 

 vessels of costly stones, perfumes of musk and amber with 

 chafing dishes. The poor guest is overjoyed at the sight 

 of these things, thinking that they have been made his own 

 property, and he lays hold of them with the intention of re- 

 taining them. The next day, when he is upon the point of 

 departure, they are all taken from him by force, and the 

 measure of his disappointment and regret is clear to every 

 person of discrimination. Seeing that this world is itself a 

 mansion built for travellers, by the road over which they 

 are to pass, that they may make a halt, and lay in provisions 

 preparatory to leaving it again, he is a wise guest who does 

 not lay his hand upon other things than his necessary pro- 

 visions, lest on the morrow when about to move on, they 

 take them out of his hands, and he expose himself to regret 

 and sorrow. 



The people of this world are also like the passengers in 

 a ship, who while sailing upon the sea, arrive at an island. 

 The sailors draw the ship to the shore, and then call out and 

 say, " whoever wishes for water or other provisions, let him 

 leave the ship and go and procure them : let him not delay, 

 for the ship will not remain long. It is besides a dangerous 

 place, and whoever remains here will perish." After re- 

 ceiving this warning, the passengers leave the ship, and are 

 all scattered about, one in this direction and another in that. 

 The wise passengers, remembering the admonition of the 

 sailors, attended quickly to their affairs, and immediately 



