The Book of Fives

147

Not Well-given

"Beggars! These five are not the ways a good man gives.
What five?

The given without respect.

The given without thought.

That not given by one's own hand.

That given because it is not wanted.

That given without trust in the fruit of good deeds.

Indeed, Beggars, these five are not the ways a good man gives.

"Beggars! These five are the ways a good man gives.
What five?

The given with respect.

The given with thought.

That given by one's own hand.

That given because it is desirable.

That given with trust in the fruit of good deeds.

Indeed, Beggars, these five are the ways a good man gives.

148

A Good Man's Gifts

"Beggars! These five are a good man's gifts.
What five?

He gives trusting in the fruit of good deeds;
he gives with respect;
he gives at the right time;
with a happy heart;
a gift causing injury neither to self or others.

§

A gift given trusting in the fruit of good deeds, beggars,
whenever it comes to fruition
brings that good man great wealth and possessions,
and such a one is good looking, handsome,
as pleasant to the eye as the lotus blossom.

A gift given with respect, beggars,
whenever it comes to fruition brings
that good man great wealth and possessions,
and the wife and children and employees of such a one
listen carefully
and know how to follow his instructions.

A gift given at the right time, beggars,
whenever it comes to fruition
brings that good man great wealth and possessions,
and what he gets comes at the right time.

A gift given with a happy heart, beggars,
whenever it comes to fruition
brings that good man great wealth and possessions,
and whatever of such as he enjoys
he does so with the full indulgence
of the five chords of sense pleasure.

A gift given which causes no injury to self or others, beggars,
whenever it comes to fruition
brings that good man great wealth and possessions,
and all such is made safe
against fire and water and kings and thieves and greedy heirs.

These five are a good man's gifts.