11 the wise man does not rejoice in a quality in which a wild animal beast or inanimate object surpasses him. rather he rejoices in his superiority in the virtue by which allah has distinguished him from wild animals beasts and inanimate objects which is the discrimination in which he shares with the angels. so whoever is pleased with his courage which he places in a way that is not right for allah the most high let him know that the tiger is bolder than him and that the lion wolf and elephant are braver than him. and whoever is pleased with the strength of his body let him know that the mule bull and elephant are stronger than him in body. and whoever is pleased with carrying heavy loads let him know that the donkey is heavier. and whoever is pleased with the speed of his running let him know that the dog and rabbit are faster in voice than him and that the sounds of flutes are sweeter and more delightful than his voice. so what pride and what joy is there in these animals being superior to him? but whoever has strong discrimination extensive knowledge and good deeds let him rejoice in that for no one is superior to him in these aspects except the angels and the best of people.
١١ العاقل لا يغتبط بصفة يفوقه فيها سبع أو بهيمة أو جماد. وإنما يغتبط بتقدمه في الفضيلة التي أبانه الله بها عن السباع والبهائم والجمادات، وهي التمييز الذي يشارك فيه الملائكة. فمن سر بشجاعته التي يضعها في غير حقها لله تعالى، فليعلم أن النمر أجرأ منه، وأن الأسد والذئب والفيل أشجع منه، ومن سر بقوة جسمه فليعلم أن البغل والثور والفيل أقوى منه جسما. ومن سر بحمله الأثقال، فليعلم أن الحمار أحمل منه. ومن سر بسرعة عدوه فليعلم أن الكلب والأرنب أسرع منه صوتا، وأن أصوات المزامير ألذ وأطرب من صوته. فأي فخر وأي سرور فيما تكون فيه هذه البهائم متقدمة له لكن من قوي تمييزه، واتسع علمه وحسن عمله، فليغتبط بذلك فإنه لا يتقدمه في هذه الوجوه إلا الملائكة وخيار الناس.