第32章 隱居的先知

從前有個隱居的先知，他每個月到大城市裡去三次，在市場上宣講施捨以及與人分享之道。他講話滔滔不絕，聞名於世。 一天黃昏，有三個人來到他隱居的地方，他施禮迎接。他們說："你曾宣講施捨以及與人分享之道，你曾設法教育富有的人施捨給貧窮的人；我們深信不疑，你的名聲已經給你帶來財富。 如今你就把你的財富施捨給我們吧，因為我們十分貧困。 " 隱士答道："我的朋友們，我除了這張床，這條席子和這瓶水外，一無所有。如果你們想要的話，就把它們拿走好了。我既無金子，又無銀子。" 於是他們都輕蔑地鄙視隱士，把臉兒都轉過去了；最後的那個人在門口站立片刻，說道："啊，你這騙子！你這滿口欺人之談的傢伙！你教導和宣講的，你自己並不身體力行。"

The Hermit Prophet Once there lived a hermit prophet, and thrice a moon he would go down to the great city and in the market places he would preach giving and sharing to the people. And he was eloquent, and his fame was upon the land. Upon an evening three men came to his hermitage and he greeted them. And they said, "You have been preaching giving and sharing, and you have sought to teach those who have much to give unto those who have little; and we doubt not that your fame has brought you riches. Now come and give us of your riches, for we are in need."

And the hermit answered and said, "My friends, I have naught but this bed and this mat and this jug of water. Take them if it is in your desire. I have neither gold nor silver." Then they looked down with distain upon him, and turned their faces from him, and the last man stood at the door for a moment, and said, "Oh, you cheat! You fraud! You teach and preach that which you yourself do not perform."