so he called alrabi and they told him his story. alrabi said this young man used to greet him from afar and then leave. so the commander of the faithful brought him close so that he could greet him from close by then he ordered him to sit down. then he showed off the excellence of the position he had placed him in by saying when he invited him to his meal i have done so. so he has nothing for those who eat with the commander of the faithful except to satisfy their hunger. and such a person cannot be reconciled with words without deeds.
فدعا الربيع، وقصوا قصته. فقال الربيع هذا الفتى كان يسلم من بعيد، وينصرف. فاستدناه أمير المؤمنين، حتى سلم عليه من قريب، ثم أمره بالجلوس. ثم تبذل بفضيلة المرتبة التي صيره فيها أن قال، حين دعاه إلى طعامه قد فعلت. وإذن ليس عنده لمن أكل مع أمير المؤمنين إلا سد خلة الجوع. ومثل هذا لا يقومه القول دون الفعل.