and if they despair of him then he is safe. and this doctrine of mine is a severe weakness. and i have no doubt that i am a burden to him and that i am like some who eat his money. and he is in addition to this a companion and a friend. and if someone like him does not know me and my doctrine is not established in his mind then what do you think of neighbors? rather what do you think of acquaintances? i see myself opening up without coal and striking with a hardened flint. how i fear that he has intended to say something to me. how i fear that god in his heaven has intended to impoverish me.
، وإذا يئسوا منه فقد أمن. وهذا المذهب من علي استضعاف شديد. وما أشك أني عنده غمر ٢ ، وأني كبعض من يأكل ماله. وهو مع هذا خليط وعشير. وإذا كان مثله لم يعرفني، ولم يتقرر عنده مذهبي، فما ظنك بالجيران، بل ما ظنك بالمعارف؟ أراني أنفتح في غير فحم، وأقدح بزند مصلد ٣ . ما أخوفني أن أكون قد قصد إلي بقول. ما أخوفني أن يكون الله في سمائه قد قصد إلى أن يفقرني.