him into something he neither desires nor intends: opposing the ruler, who subdues anyone who challenges him and overcomes anyone who contends with him and treats him as an enemy.

Withdrawal during Civil Strife

If you see anyone defying the person placed in authority over him or rising against the one to whom his affairs have been entrusted, do not approve of his conduct. Distance yourselves from him, remain behind closed doors, and sever all ties between yourselves and him until the civil strife clears and the ordeal passes.

Asceticism toward This World

Beware of amassing too much of this world and its paltry goods. You should instead observe moderation and content yourselves with a wholesome and ample sufficiency. Amassing and accumulating worldly possessions—besides the preoccupation they entail and the turmoil involved in tending to them—directs envy toward their owner, covetousness toward the one who gathers them, and resentment toward the one who possesses them exclusively.

Everyone Blessed Is Envied

The ruler hopes that he will make some error that can be used as a pretext to seize whatever portion of his wealth looms large in the ruler’s eyes. The wicked man lies in wait to betray and treacherously attack him, while the righteous man condemns him for amassing so much and being so engrossed in it.

His friend and intimate companion fear for him, while even his own brother comes to hate him because of it. If he withholds his wealth, he will always find someone to blame him; and if he gives it away, he will find no one satisfied.

The Afflictions of Worldly Wealth

Whichever of you is granted wealth should invest only a small portion of it in immovable property, for its troubles are prolonged and its owner is left powerless. In truth, it is not real wealth: if an enemy gains control of the region, he will separate the owner from it; and if the owner must move away, he will leave it all—or most of it—behind.