隐居的先知

从前有个隐居的先知，他每个月到大城市里去三次，在市场上宣讲施舍以及与人分享之道。他讲话滔滔不绝，闻名于世。

一天黄昏，有三个人来到他隐居的地方，他施礼迎接。他们说："你曾宣讲施舍以及与人分享之道，你曾设法教育富有的人施舍给贫穷的人；我们深信不疑，你的名声已经给你带来财富。

如今你就把你的财富施舍给我们吧，因为我们十分贫困。"

隐士答道："我的朋友们，我除了这张床，这条席子和这瓶水外，一无所有。如果你们想要的话，就把它们拿走好了。我既无金子，又无银子。"

于是他们都轻蔑地鄙视隐士，把脸儿都转过去了；最后的那个人在门口站立片刻，说道："啊，你这骗子！你这满口欺人之谈的家伙！你教导和宣讲的，你自己并不身体力行。"

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."