The Fifty Sayings: The Students

A certain wise man wanted to test the wisdom of fifty enlightened and lovely students, and they were sitting before him and kissing his feet. He said to them, "Know that it is my desire to test your understanding and to weigh your wisdom on the scales of my intellect. Now, let each one of you speak a lovely proverb, upon which everyone who hears it will stand." And they all said, "Whatever you command, we shall do; and in all that you wish, we, your servants, will follow."

The first of the students approached and said:
In the time of testing and investigation, a person is either light or heavy meaning: esteemed or worthless.

Saying Two

The servant is free when he is content with his portion, and the free man is a servant when he seeks more than the bread of his portion.

Saying Three

Man is a pursuer and a pursued: a pursuer of that which he will not attain, and pursued by that from which he cannot escape.

Saying Four

I am amazed at one who buys servants with his wealth: how does he not buy free men with the sweetness of his tongue? Saying 5