(Facts and Myths)

They said: “The wealthy are those abundant in status and wealth.” I replied: “The truly happy are those with sound hearts and minds.” They said: “The poor are prisoners of worry, depressed, spending their nights in hardship and scarcity.” I replied: “Happiness consists of enlightened souls, living freely, unbound by chains.” They said: “The wealthy live in luxury and ease, drinking nectar, enjoying comfort and prosperity.” I replied: “Contentment is like chambers whose dwellings are fragrant, their scent like musk, enduring for generations.” They said: “Are you building a philosophy on illusions, burying your life in delusion and mire?” I replied: “No delusion, no mire accompanies me; whoever honors himself will be honored. Nor do the earth’s treasures benefit their owner if he lives burdened, weary under his loads. How many a poor person has seen a kingdom in his humble hut, and how many a rich man has fallen due to his evil deeds!” They said: “You mistook the rising suns of the cosmos, mixing illusions with hopes.” I replied: “No! The eye of the heart sees clearly: true wealth is the contentment of the heart and mind. Kings perish, even if their dwellings rise high, but the fragrance of contentment remains nobler than wealth.”