ibn hassan said we had a man who was stingy and he had a brother who was very stingy and very proud. one day his brother said to him woe to you! i am poor and have no means of support and you are rich and lighthearted. why dont you help me through this time nor do you console me with some of your wealth nor do you help me with anything? by god i have never seen or heard of anyone more stingy than you. he said woe to you! it is not as you think nor is money as you think nor am i as you say in stinginess or ease. by god if i owned a thousand
قال ابن حسان كان عندنا رجل مقل، وكان له أخ مكثر، وكان مفرط البخل، شديد النفج. فقال له يوما أخوه ويحك، أنا فقير معيل، وأنت غني خفيف الظهر، لا تعينني على الزمان، ولا تواسيني ببعض مالك، ولا تتفرج لي عن شيء؟ والله ما رأيت قط، ولا سمعت، بأبخل منك . قال ويحك! ليس الأمر كمها تظن، ولا المال كما تحسب، ولا أنا كما تقول في البخل ولا في اليسر. والله لو ملكت ألف