Source text:

قيل لحكيم : أي الأشياء خير للمرء؟
قال : عقل يعيش به
قيل : فإن لم يكن
قال : فإخوان يسترون عليه
قيل : فإن لم يكن
قال : فمال يتحبب به إلى الناس
قيل : فإن لم يكن
قال : فأدب يتحلى به
قيل : فإن لم يكن
قال : فصمت يسلم به
قيل : فإن لم يكن
قال : فموت يريح منه العباد والبلاد

Translation:

A person went to a wise man and asked: “What is the best thing a person can have in his possession?”

The wise man answered: “A sound mind with which he can live properly.”

Person: “If he doesn’t have that, then what is the next best thing?”

Wise man: “Good siblings who will cover-up for his shortcomings.”

Person: “If he also doesn’t have good siblings, then what is the next best thing?”

Wise man: “Money that he can use to win love and affection from other people.”

Person: “If he doesn’t have that, then what?”

Wise man: “Good manners that he can adorn himself with while dealing with people.”

Person: “If he doesn’t have that, then what?”

Wise man: “Silence, with which he can be safe.”

Person: ” If he doesn’t have that, then what?”

Wise man: “Death, with which he could relieve the burden from people and countries for having him around.”

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Translated by Syawal