[ p. 105 ]
1. The sage asked the spirit of wisdom (2) thus: Wherefore is it when one turns the ignorance and foolishness of an ignorant king back to knowledge and cleverness, on account of the sovereignty which is his; (3) and, as to a poor man, who is wise [1], one turns the knowledge and sagacity, which are his, back to foolishness and uselessness, on account of the poverty?’
4. The spirit of wisdom answered (5) thus: ‘On account of the deceit and violence of the fiend [2] of greediness (6) men utter more words as to the manliness of every one whose wealth and power are more, and recount his deeds and actions more fully; (7) but, in the eyes of the angels and archangels, a poor man who is innocent and wise is better and more precious than a king or opulent man [3] who is ignorant.’