A certain man
was constantly bewailing his poverty.
Ibrahim ibn Adham said to him, “My son, perhaps
you paid little for your poverty.” “You are talking nonsense,”
said the man, “You should be ashamed of yourself.
Does anyone buy poverty?”
Ibrahim replied,
“For my part I chose it of my own free will;
moreover, I bought it at the price of this world’s sovereignty
and gave up my kingdom and my ruling over others. I would buy
one instant of this poverty again with a hundred worlds, for every moment
it becomes worth more to me. When I found this precious merchandise,
I gave my final farewells to royalty. Without any doubt I know
the value of poverty. While you remain in
ignorance of it, I give thanks
for it.
Ibrahim ibn Adham