how many walls have had their bottoms eroded their tops scattered their foundations weakened and their structures collapsed due to dripping grain leaking jars excess well water and poor management. according to their number they need bread cooking fuel and heating. the fire spares nothing. the houses are merely firewood for it. everything in them is food for it. how many fires have destroyed the original crops and you have charged their people the most hefty expenses. and perhaps that was at the height of hardship and dire circumstances. and perhaps that crime has spread to the houses of the neighbors and to the neighbors bodies and properties. if people at that time left the master of the house alone and measured his affliction and the extent of his calamity perhaps that would be tolerable. but they consider it a bad omen and they continue to find mentioning him burdensome and they often blame and rebuke him.
فكم من حائط قد تأكل أسفله، وتناثر أعلاه، واسترخى أساسه، وتداعى بنيانه، من قطر حب ورشح جرة، ومن فضل ماء البئر، ومن سوء التدبير. وعلى قدر كثرتهم يحتاجون من الخبيز والطبيخ ومن الوقود والتسخين. والنار لا تبقي ولا تذر. وإنما الدور حطب لها. وكل شيء فيها من متاع فهو أكل لها. فكم من حريق قد أتى على أصل الغلة، فكلفتم أهلها أغلظ النفقة. وربما كان ذلك عند غاية العسرة، وشدة الحال. وربما تعدت تلك الجناية الى دور الجيران، والى مجاورة الأبدان والأموال. فلو ترك الناس حينئذ رب الدار وقدر بليته ومقادر مصيبته، لكان عسى ذلك أن يكون محتملا. ولكنهم يتشاءمون به، ولا يزالون يستثقلون ذكره، ويكثرون من لائمته وتعنيفه.