356 – Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd Allāh al-Madani narrated to us; al-Muʿtamir ibn Sulaymān related to us, from his father, from Misʿar ibn Kidām, who said:

A king once came upon a man who was issuing judgments and put him to death. He then said, “I cannot imagine he was judging without having books with him.” So he sent to the man’s wife—or to his sister—asking, “Did he keep any books?” They replied, “No, except that he had a small booklet that never left his side.” They searched the spot where he had been slain and found a notebook containing four maxims:

I marvel at the one who knows that death is certain—how can he rejoice?
I marvel at the one who knows that the Fire is real—how can he laugh?
I marvel at the one who observes how the world changes and turns on its people—how can he feel secure in it?
I marvel at the one who knows that destiny is decreed—how can he wear himself out?