Babylon’s Gold Lender
Fifty pieces of gold! Never before had Rodan the spearmaker of old Babylon carried so much gold in his leather wallet. Happily down the king’s highway from the palace of his most liberal Majesty he strode. Cheerfully the gold clinked as the wallet at his belt swayed with each step—the sweetest music he had ever heard.
Fifty pieces of gold! Rodan, the spearmaker of old Babylon, had never carried so much gold in his leather wallet. He strode happily down the king’s highway from the palace of His Majesty, the very generous king. The gold clinked cheerfully as the wallet at his belt swayed with each step. It was the sweetest music he had ever heard.
Fifty pieces of gold! All his! He could hardly realize his good fortune. What power in those clinking discs! They could purchase anything be wanted, a grand house, land, cattle, camels, horses, chariots, whatever he might desire.
Fifty gold coins! All his! He could hardly believe his good fortune. What power those clinking coins held! They could buy anything he wanted: a grand house, land, cattle, camels, horses, chariots, whatever he might desire.
What use should he make of it? This evening as he turned into a side street towards the home of his sister, he could think of nothing he would rather possess than those same glittering heavy pieces of gold—his to keep.
How should he use it? That evening, he turned into a side street toward his sister’s home. He could think of nothing he wanted more than those same heavy, glittering gold pieces, his to keep.
It was upon another evening some days later that a perplexed Rodan entered the shop of Mathon, the lender of gold and dealer in jewels and rare fabrics. Glancing neither to the right nor the left at the colorful articles artfully displayed, he passed through to the living quarters at the rear. Here he found the genteel Mathon lounging upon a rug partaking of a meal served by an ebony slave.
One evening a few days later, a puzzled Rodan entered Mathon’s shop. Mathon lent gold and sold jewels and rare fabrics. Without looking right or left at the colorful goods arranged so skillfully, Rodan went into the living quarters at the back. There he found the refined Mathon lounging on a rug, eating a meal served by an ebony slave.
“I would counsel with you for I know not what to do.” Rodan stood stolidly, feet apart, hairy breast exposed by the gaping front of his leather jacket.
“I want your advice because I don’t know what to do.” Rodan stood impassively with his feet apart. The open front of his leather jacket exposed his hairy chest.
Mathon’s narrow sallow face smiled a friendly greeting. “What indiscretions hast done that thou shouldst seek the lender of gold? Hast been unlucky at the gaming table? Or hath some plump dame entangled thee? For many years have I known thee, yet never before hast sought me to aid thee in thy troubles.”
Mathon’s narrow, yellowish face broke into a friendly smile. “What foolish things have you done to make you seek out a moneylender? Have you been unlucky at the gambling table? Or has some plump woman gotten you into trouble? I’ve known you for many years, yet you’ve never come to me before for help with your troubles.”
“No, no. Not such as that. I seek no gold. Instead I crave thy wise advice.”
“No, no. Nothing like that. I’m not looking for gold. Instead, I long for your wise advice.”
“Hear! Hear! What this man does say. No one comes to the lender of gold for advice. My ears must play me false.”
“Listen! Listen to what this man is saying. No one comes to a moneylender for advice. My ears must be deceiving me.”
“They listen true.”
“They hear correctly.”
“Can this be so? Rodan, the spearmaker, does display more cunning than all the rest, for he comes to Mathon not for gold, but for advice. Many men come to me for gold to pay for their follies, but as for advice, they want it not. Yet who is more able to advise than the lender of gold to whom many men come in trouble.
“Can this be true? Rodan, the spearmaker, shows more cleverness than all the others. For he comes to Mathon not for gold, but for advice. Many men come to me for gold to pay for their foolish mistakes, but they don't want advice. Yet who is better able to give advice than a gold lender? So many men come to him in trouble.
“Thou shalt eat with me, Rodan,” he exclaimed. “Thou shalt be my guest for the evening. “Ando!” he commanded of the black slave, “draw up a rug for my friend Rodan, the spearmaker who comes to the lender of gold not for gold, but for advice. He shall be mine honored guest. Bring to him much food and get for him my largest cup. Choose well of the best wine that he may have satisfaction in the drinking.”
“You’ll eat with me, Rodan,” he exclaimed. “You’ll be my guest for the evening. “Ando!” he ordered the black slave. “Pull up a rug for my friend Rodan, the spearmaker. He comes to the moneylender not for gold, but for advice. He will be my honored guest. Bring him plenty of food and my largest cup. Choose carefully from the best wine so that he may enjoy drinking it.”
“Tell me what troubles thee.”
“Tell me what’s troubling you.”
“It is the king’s gift.”
“It’s a gift from the king.”
“The king’s gift? The king did make thee a gift and it gives thee trouble? What manner of gift?”
“The king’s gift? The king gave you a gift, and it’s causing you trouble? What kind of gift?”
“Because he was much pleased with the design I did submit to him for a new point on the spears of the royal guard he did present me with fifty pieces of gold, and now I am much perplexed.
“He was very pleased with the design I submitted for a new spear point for the royal guard. Because of that, he gave me fifty pieces of gold, and now I am very puzzled.
“I am beseeched each hour the sun does travel across the sky by those who would share it with me.”
“Every hour of the day, people beg me to let them share it with me.”
“That is natural. More men want gold than have it, and would wish one who comes by it easily, to divide. But can you not say no? Is not thy will as strong as thy fist?”
“That is natural. More men want gold than have it. They want anyone who gets gold easily to share it. But can’t you say no? Isn’t your will as strong as your fist?”
“To many I can say no, yet sometimes it would be easier to say yes. Can one refuse to share with one’s only sister to whom he is deeply devoted?”
“I can say no to many people, but sometimes it would be easier to say yes. Can anyone refuse to share with their only sister, whom they love deeply?”
“Surely, thy own sister would not wish to deprive thee of enjoying thy reward.”
“Surely, your own sister would not want to keep you from enjoying your reward.”
“But it is for the sake of Araman, her husband, whom she wishes to see a rich merchant. She does feel that he has never had a chance and she beseeches me to loan to him this gold that he may become a prosperous merchant and repay me from his profits.”
“But she wants this for her husband, Araman. She wants to see him become a rich merchant. She feels he has never had a chance. So she begs me to lend him this gold so he can become a successful merchant and repay me from his profits.”
“My friend,” resumed Mathon, “ ’Tis a worthy subject thou bringst to discuss. Gold bringeth unto its possessor responsibility and a changed position with his fellow men. It bringeth fear lest he lose it or it be tricked away from him. It bringeth a feeling of power and ability to do good. Likewise it bringeth opportunities whereby his very good intentions may bring him into difficulties.
“My friend,” Mathon continued, “you’ve brought up a subject worth discussing. Gold brings its owner responsibility and changes his standing among other people. It brings fear that he may lose his gold or be tricked out of it. Gold also brings a sense of power and the ability to do good. It also brings opportunities where his very good intentions may get him into trouble.
Did’st ever hear of the farmer of Nineveh who could understand the language of animals? I wot not for ’tis not the kind of tale men like thee tell over the bronze caster’s forge. I will tell it to thee for thou shouldst know that to borrowing and loaning there is more than the passing of gold from the hands of one to the hands of another.
Have you ever heard of the farmer of Nineveh who could understand the language of animals? I suspect not, because men like you don't tell such tales around the bronze caster’s forge. I will tell you the story because you should know there is more to borrowing and lending than exchanging gold.
This farmer who could understand what the animals said to each other did linger in the farm yard each evening just to listen to their words. One evening he did hear the ox bemoaning to the ass the hardness of his lot. ‘I do labor pulling the plow from morning until night. No matter how hot the day or how tired my legs, or how the bow doth chafe my neck, still must I work. But you are a creature of leisure. You are trapped with a colorful blanket and do nothing more than carry our master about where he wishes to go. When he goes nowhere you do rest and eat the green grass all the day.’
This farmer could understand what the animals said to each other. Each evening, he lingered in the farmyard just to listen to them. One evening, he heard the ox complaining to the donkey about his hard life. ‘I work pulling the plow from morning until night. No matter how hot the day or how tired my legs, I still must work. Even when the yoke rubs my neck raw, I must keep working. But you live a life of leisure. You wear a colorful blanket and do nothing more than carry our master wherever he wants to go. When he goes nowhere, you rest and eat the green grass all day.’
Now the ass, in spite of his vicious heels, was a goodly fellow and sympathized with the ox. ‘My good friend,’ said he, ‘you do work very hard and I would help ease your lot. Therefore, will I tell you how you may have a day of rest. In the morning when the slave comes to fetch you to the plow, lie upon the ground and bellow much that he may say you are sick and cannot work.’
Despite his vicious kicks, the donkey was a good fellow and felt sympathy for the ox. ‘My good friend,’ he said, ‘you work very hard, and I would like to ease your burden. So I will tell you how you can have a day of rest. In the morning, when the slave comes to take you to the plow, lie on the ground and bellow loudly. Do this so he may say you are sick and cannot work.’
So the ox took the advice of the ass and next morning the slave returned to the farmer and told him the ox was sick and could not pull the plow.
So the ox followed the donkey’s advice. The next morning, the slave returned to the farmer. He told the farmer the ox was sick and could not pull the plow.
‘Then,’ said the farmer, ‘hitch the ass to the plow for the plowing must go on.’
‘Then,’ said the farmer, ‘hitch the donkey to the plow, because the plowing must go on.’
All that day the ass who had only intended to help his friend found himself compelled to do the ox’s task. When night came and he was released from the plow his heart was bitter and his legs were weary and his neck was sore where the how had chafed it.
The donkey had only meant to help his friend, but he was forced to do the ox’s work all day. When night came and he was freed from the plow, he felt bitter. His legs were tired, and his neck was sore where the yoke had rubbed against it.
The farmer lingered in the barnyard to listen.
The farmer stayed in the barnyard to listen.
The ox began first. ‘You are my good friend. Because of your wise advice I have enjoyed a day of rest.’
The ox spoke first. ‘You are my good friend. Thanks to your wise advice, I’ve enjoyed a day of rest.’
‘And I,’ retorted the ass, ‘am like many another simple hearted fool who starts to help a friend and ends up by doing his task for him. Hereafter you draw your own plow, for I did hear the master tell the slave to send for the butcher were you sick again. I wish he would, for you are a lazy fellow.’ Thereafter they spoke to each other no more—this ended their friendship. Canst thou tell the moral to this tale, Rodan?”
‘And I,’ the donkey shot back, ‘am like many other trusting fools who start helping a friend and end up doing his work for him. From now on, pull your own plow. I heard the master tell the slave to send for the butcher if you were sick again. I wish he would, because you are lazy.’ After that, they never spoke to each other again. Their friendship was over. Can you tell me the moral of this story, Rodan?”
“ ’Tis a good tale,” responded Rodan, “but I see not the moral.”
“It’s a good story,” Rodan replied, “but I don’t see the lesson.”
“I thought not that you would. But it is there and simple, too. Just this: If thou desire to help thy friend do so in a way that will not bring thy friend’s burdens upon thyself.”
“I didn’t think you would. But it’s there, and it’s simple, too. Just this: If you want to help your friend, do it without taking on your friend’s burdens yourself.”
“I had not thought of that. It is a wise moral. I wish not to assume the burdens of my sister’s husband. But tell me. You loan to many. Do not the borrowers repay?”
“I hadn’t thought of that. That’s a wise lesson. I don’t want to take on my sister’s husband’s burdens. But tell me. You lend money to many people. Don’t the borrowers pay you back?”
Mathon smiled the smile of one whose soul is rich with much experience. “Could a loan be well made if the borrower cannot repay? Must not the loaner be wise and judge carefully whether his gold can perform a useful purpose to the borrower and return to him once more, or whether it will be wasted by one unable to use it wisely and leave him without his treasure, and leave the borrower with a debt he cannot repay? I will show to thee the tokens in my token chest and let them tell thee some of their stories.”
Mathon smiled like a man whose soul was rich with experience. “Can a loan be wise if the borrower cannot repay it? Mustn't the lender be wise and judge carefully? Will his gold help the borrower and then return to the lender? Or will someone unable to use the gold wisely waste it? That would leave the lender without his treasure and the borrower with a debt he cannot repay. I will show you the tokens in my token chest and let them tell you some of their stories.”
Into the room he brought a chest as long as his arm covered with red pigskin and ornamented with bronze designs. He placed it upon the floor and squatted before it, both hands upon the lid.
He brought a chest into the room. It was as long as his arm, covered in red pigskin, and decorated with bronze designs. He set it on the floor and squatted in front of it, with both hands on the lid.
“From each person to whom I loan, I do exact a token for my token chest, to remain there until the loan is repaid. When they repay I give back, but if they never repay it will always remind me of one who was not faithful to my confidence.
“From each person I lend to, I require a token to keep in my token chest until the loan is repaid. When they repay the loan, I return the token. But if they never repay, the token will always remind me of someone who betrayed my trust.
The safest loans, my token box tells me, are to those whose possessions are of more value than the loan they desire. They own lands or jewels, or camels, or other things which could be sold to repay the loan. Some of the tokens given to me are jewels of more value than the loan. Others are promises that if the loan be not repaid as agreed they will deliver to me certain property in settlement. On loans like those I am assured that my gold will be returned with the rental thereon, for the loan is based on property.
My token box tells me the safest loans go to people whose possessions are worth more than they want to borrow. They own land, jewels, camels, or other things that could be sold to repay the loan. Some tokens given to me are jewels worth more than the loan. Others are promises to give me specific property as payment if the loan is not repaid as agreed. With loans like these, I am sure my gold will be returned with interest, because property backs the loan.
In another class are those who have the capacity to earn. They are such as you, who labor or serve and are paid. They have income and if they are honest and suffer no misfortune I know that they also can repay the gold I loan them and the rental to which I am entitled. Such loans are based on human effort.
Another group consists of people who can earn money. They are people like you, who are paid for their work or services. They have an income. If they are honest and suffer no misfortune, I know they can also repay the gold I lend them. They can also pay the interest I am entitled to. Such loans are based on human effort.
Others are those who have neither property not assured earning capacity. Life is hard and there will always be some who cannot adjust themselves to it. Alas for the loans I make them, even though they be no larger than a pence, my token box may censure me in the years to come unless they be guaranteed by good friends of the borrower who know him honorable.”
Others have neither property nor a reliable ability to earn money. Life is hard, and some people will always be unable to adapt to it. Sadly, my token box may reproach me in years to come for lending to them, even a single penny. That is, unless the loans are guaranteed by good friends of the borrower who know the borrower is honorable.”
Mathon released the clasp and opened the lid. Rodan leaned forward eagerly.
Mathon unfastened the clasp and opened the lid. Rodan leaned forward eagerly.
At the top of the chest a bronze neck piece lay upon a scarlet cloth. Mathon picked up the piece and patted it affectionately. “This shall always remain in my token chest for the owner has passed on into the great darkness. I treasure it, his token, and I treasure his memory, for he was my good friend. We traded together with much success until out of the east he brought a woman to wed, beautiful, but not like our women. A dazzling creature. He spent his gold lavishly to gratify her desires. He came to me in distress when his gold was gone. I counselled with him. I told him I would help him to once more master his own affairs. He swore by the sign of the Great Bull that he would. But it was not to be. In a quarrel she thrust a knife into the heart he dared her to pierce.”
At the top of the chest, a bronze neckpiece lay on a scarlet cloth. Mathon picked it up and patted it affectionately. “This neckpiece will always stay in my token chest because its owner has passed into the great darkness. I treasure his token, and I treasure his memory, because he was my good friend. We traded together with great success until he brought a woman from the east to marry. She was beautiful, but not like our women. A dazzling creature. He spent his gold lavishly to satisfy her wishes. When his gold was gone, he came to me in distress. I advised him. I told him I would help him regain control of his affairs. He swore by the sign of the Great Bull that he would regain control. But it was not to be. During an argument, she stabbed him in the heart he had dared her to pierce.”
“And she?” questioned Rodan.
“And she?” asked Rodan.
“Yes, of course, this was hers,” he picked up the scarlet cloth. “In bitter remorse she threw herself into the Euphrates. These two loans will never be repaid. The chest tells you, Rodan, that humans in the throes of great emotions are not safe risks for the gold lender.
“Yes, of course, this was hers.” He picked up the scarlet cloth. “Overcome with bitter regret, she threw herself into the Euphrates. These two loans will never be repaid. The chest tells you, Rodan, that people overwhelmed by strong emotions are not safe risks for a moneylender.
“Here! Now this is different.” He reached for a ring carved of ox bone. “This belongs to a farmer. I buy the rugs of his women. The locusts came and they had not food. I helped him and when the new crop came he repaid me. Later he came again and told of strange goats in a distant land as described by a traveler. They had long hair so fine and soft it would weave into rugs more beautiful than any ever seen in Babylon. He wanted a herd but he had no money. So I did loan him gold to make the journey and bring back goats. Now his herd is begun and next year I shall surprise the lords of Babylon with the most expensive rugs it has been their good fortune to buy. Soon I must return his ring. He doth insist on repaying promptly.”
“Here! Now this is different.” He reached for a ring carved from ox bone. “This belongs to a farmer. I buy the rugs made by the women in his family. The locusts came, and his family had no food. I helped him, and when the new crop came in, he repaid me. Later he came again and told me about unusual goats in a distant land, described by a traveler. The goats had long hair, so fine and soft it could be woven into rugs unlike any in Babylon. Those rugs would be more beautiful than any ever seen here. He wanted a herd, but he had no money. So I lent him gold to make the journey and bring back goats. Now he has started his herd. Next year I will surprise the lords of Babylon with the most expensive rugs they have ever had the good fortune to buy. Soon I must return his ring. He insists on repaying me promptly.”
“Some borrowers do that?” queried Rodan.
“Some borrowers do that?” asked Rodan.
“If they borrow for purposes that bring money back to them, I find it so. But if they borrow because of their indiscretions, I warn thee to be cautious if thou wouldst ever have thy gold back in hand again.”
“If they borrow for purposes that earn them money, I find that to be true. But if they borrow because of poor judgment, I warn you to be careful. That is, if you ever want your gold back.”
“Tell me about this,” requested Rodan, picking up a heavy gold bracelet inset with jewels in rare designs.
“Tell me about this,” Rodan said, picking up a heavy gold bracelet set with jewels in unusual designs.
“The women do appeal to my good friend,” bantered Mathon.
“My good friend certainly likes the women,” Mathon teased.
“I am still much younger than you,” retorted Rodan.
“I’m still much younger than you,” Rodan shot back.
“I grant that, but this time thou doth suspicion romance where it is not. The owner of this is fat and wrinkled and doth talk so much and say so little she drives me mad. Once they had much money and were my good customers, but ill times came upon them. She has a son of whom she would make a merchant. So she came to me and borrowed gold that he might become a partner of a caravan owner who travels with his camels bartering in one city what he buys in another.
“I admit that, but this time you suspect romance where there is none. The owner of this is fat and wrinkled. She talks so much and says so little that she drives me crazy. Once, her family had plenty of money and were good customers of mine, but they fell on hard times. She has a son she wants to make a merchant. So she came to me and borrowed gold so he could become partners with a caravan owner. The caravan owner travels with his camels, trading in one city what he buys in another.
This man was a rascal for he left the poor boy in a distant city without money and without friends, pulling out early while the youth still slept. Perhaps when this youth has grown to manhood he will repay, until then I get no rental for the loan, only much talk. But I do admit the jewels are worthy of the loan.”
The man was a scoundrel because he left the poor boy in a distant city without money or friends. He left early while the boy was still asleep. Perhaps when the boy becomes a man, he will repay the loan. Until then, I get no interest on the loan, only a lot of talk. But I do admit the jewels are worth the amount of the loan.”
“Did this lady ask thy advice as to the wisdom of the loan?”
“Did this lady ask your advice on whether the loan was a wise choice?”
“Quite otherwise. She had pictured to herself this son of hers as a wealthy and powerful man of Babylon. To suggest the contrary was to infuriate her. A fair rebuke I had. I knew the risk for this inexperienced boy, but as she offered security I could not refuse her.”
“Quite the opposite. She had imagined her son as a wealthy and powerful man of Babylon. Suggesting otherwise made her furious. She gave me quite a scolding. I knew the risk for this inexperienced boy, but because she offered collateral, I could not refuse her.”
“This,” continued Mathon, waving a bit of pack rope tied into a knot, “belongs to Nebatur, the camel trader. When he would buy a herd larger than his funds he brings to me this knot and I loan to him according to his needs. He is a wise trader. I have confidence in his good judgment and can loan him freely. Many other merchants of Babylon have my confidence because of their honorable behavior. Their tokens come and go frequently in my token box. Good merchants are an asset to our city and it profits me to aid them to keep trade moving that Babylon be prosperous.”
“This,” Mathon continued, waving a knotted piece of pack rope, “belongs to Nebatur, the camel trader. When he wants to buy a herd larger than he can afford, he brings me this knot. Then I lend him what he needs. He is a wise trader. I trust his judgment and can lend to him freely. I also trust many other merchants of Babylon because of their honorable behavior. Their tokens often come and go from my token box. Good merchants benefit our city. Helping them keep trade moving so Babylon can prosper is profitable for me too.”
Mathon picked out a beetle carved in turquois and tossed it contemptuously on the floor. “A bug from Egypt. The lad who owns this does not care whether I ever receive back my gold. When I reproach him he replies, ‘How can I repay when ill fate pursues me? You have plenty more.’ What can I do, the token is his father’s, a worthy man of small means who did pledge his land and herd to back his son’s enterprises. The youth found success at first and then was over zealous to gain great wealth. His knowledge was immature. His enterprises collapsed.
Mathon picked out a beetle carved from turquoise and tossed it scornfully on the floor. “A bug from Egypt. The young man who owns this beetle does not care whether I ever get my gold back. When I scold him, he replies, ‘How can I repay you when bad luck follows me? You have plenty more.’ What can I do? The beetle belongs to his father, a good man with little money. His father pledged his land and herd to back his son’s business ventures. The young man succeeded at first, but then became too eager to gain great wealth. He did not yet know enough. His businesses collapsed.
Youth is ambitious. Youth would take short cuts to wealth and the desirable things for which it stands. To secure wealth quickly youth often borrows unwisely. Youth never having had experience cannot realize that hopeless debt is like a deep pit into which one may descend quickly and where one may struggle vainly for many days. It is a pit of sorrow and regrets where the brightness of the sun is overcast and night is made unhappy by restless sleeping. Yet I do not discourage borrowing gold. I encourage it. I recommend it if it be for a wise purpose. I myself made my first real success as a merchant with borrowed gold.
Young people are ambitious. They want shortcuts to wealth and the desirable things wealth can bring. To get rich quickly, young people often borrow unwisely. Without experience, they cannot understand that hopeless debt is like a deep pit. You can fall into that pit quickly and struggle for many days without escaping. It is a pit of sorrow and regret, where sunlight is dimmed and nights are troubled by restless sleep. Yet I do not discourage borrowing gold. I encourage borrowing. I recommend borrowing if it serves a wise purpose. I myself achieved my first real success as a merchant with borrowed gold.
Yet what should the lender do in such a case? The youth is in despair and accomplishes nothing. He is discouraged. He makes no effort to repay. My heart turns against depriving the father of his land and cattle.”
But what should the lender do in a case like this? The young man is in despair and gets nothing done. He is discouraged. He makes no effort to repay the loan. I can't bear the thought of taking away the father's land and cattle.”
“You tell me much that I am interested to hear,” ventured Rodan, “but I hear no answer to my question. Should I loan my fifty pieces of gold to my sister’s husband? They mean much to me.”
“You’ve told me a lot that interests me,” Rodan said cautiously, “but you haven’t answered my question. Should I lend my fifty pieces of gold to my sister’s husband? The gold means a lot to me.”
“Should thy sister’s husband come to me and ask to borrow fifty pieces of gold I should ask him for what purpose he would use it?
“If your sister’s husband came to me to borrow fifty pieces of gold, I would ask why he needed the money.
If he answered that he desired to become a merchant like myself and deal in jewels and rich furnishings, I would say, ‘What knowledge have you of the ways of trade? Do you know where you can buy at lowest cost? Do you know where you can sell at a fair price?’ Could he say yes to these questions?”
If he said he wanted to become a merchant like me, trading in jewels and fine furnishings, I would ask, ‘What do you know about trade? Do you know where to buy at the lowest cost? Do you know where to sell at a fair price?’ Could he answer yes to these questions?”
“No, he could not,” Rodan admitted. “He has helped me much in making spears and he has helped some in the shops.”
“No, he couldn’t,” Rodan admitted. “He has helped me a lot with making spears, and he has helped some in the shops.”
“Then would I say to him that his purpose was not wise. Merchants must learn their trade. His ambition, though worthy, is not practical and I would not loan him the money.
“Then I would tell him that his plan was unwise. Merchants must learn their trade. Although his ambition is worthy, it is not practical, and I would not lend him the money.
But supposing he could say ‘yes, I have helped merchants much. I know how to travel to Smyrna and to buy at low cost the rugs the housewives weave. I also know many of the rich people of Babylon to whom I can sell these at a large profit.’ Then I would say: ‘Your purpose is wise and your ambition honorable. I shall be glad to loan you the fifty pieces of gold if you can give me security that they will be returned.’ But would he say, ‘I have no security other than that I am an honored man and will pay you well for the loan.’ Then would I reply, ‘I treasure much each piece of gold. Were the robbers to take it from you as you journeyed to Smyrna or take the rugs from you as you returned, then you would have no means of repaying me and my gold would be gone.’
But suppose he could say, ‘Yes, I have helped merchants a great deal. I know how to travel to Smyrna and buy the rugs housewives weave at a low price. I also know many rich people in Babylon to whom I can sell these rugs at a large profit.’ Then I would say: ‘Your plan is wise, and your ambition is honorable. I would gladly lend you the fifty pieces of gold if you can provide security to guarantee repayment.’ But suppose he said, ‘I have no security except my reputation as an honorable man. I will pay you well for the loan.’ Then I would reply, ‘I value every piece of gold greatly. What if robbers took the gold from you on your journey to Smyrna? Or what if they took the rugs on your return journey? Then you would have no way to repay me, and my gold would be gone.’
Gold, you see Rodan, is the merchandise of the lender of money. It is easy to loan. If it is loaned unwisely then it is difficult to get back. The wise lender wishes not the risk of the undertaking but the guarantee of safe repayment.
You see, Rodan, gold is what a moneylender trades in. Gold is easy to lend. But if lent unwisely, it is hard to get back. A wise lender wants a guarantee of safe repayment, not the risk of the venture.
“ ’Tis well,” he continued, “to help those that are in trouble, ’tis well to help those upon whom fate has laid a heavy hand. ’Tis well to help those who are starting that they may progress and become valuable citizens. But help must be given wisely, lest, like the farmer’s ass, in our desire to help we but take upon ourselves the burden that belongs to another.
“It is good,” he continued, “to help those in trouble. It is good to help those whom fate has treated harshly. It is good to help those just starting out so they can progress and become valuable citizens. But we must help wisely. Otherwise, like the farmer’s donkey, we may take on someone else’s burden in our desire to help.
Again I wandered from thy question, Rodan, but hear my answer: Keep thy fifty pieces of gold. What thy labor earns for thee and what is given thee for reward is thine own and no man can put an obligation upon thee to part with it unless it do be thy wish. If wouldst loan it, so that it may earn thee more gold, then lend with caution, and in many places. I like not idle gold, even less I like too much of risk.
Again I’ve strayed from your question, Rodan, but here is my answer: Keep your fifty pieces of gold. What you earn through your work and what you receive as a reward belong to you. No one can force you to part with your gold unless you choose to. If you want to lend your gold so that it may earn you more, lend carefully and spread your loans around. I don’t like gold sitting idle, but I like taking too much risk even less.
“How many years hast labored as a spearmaker?”
“How many years have you worked as a spearmaker?”
“Fully three.”
“A full three.”
“How much besides the king’s gift hast saved?”
“How much have you saved besides the king’s gift?”
“Three gold pieces.”
“Three gold coins.”
“Each year that thou hast labored thou hast denied thyself good things to save from thine earnings one piece of gold.”
“Each year you’ve worked, you’ve denied yourself good things to save one gold piece from your earnings.”
“ ’Tis as you say.”
“It’s as you say.”
“Then mightst save in fifty years of labor fifty pieces of gold by thy self-denial.”
“Then you could save fifty pieces of gold over fifty years of work by denying yourself things.”
“A lifetime of labor it would be.”
“It would be a lifetime of work.”
“Thinkest thou thy sister would wish to jeopardize the savings of fifty years of labor over the bronze melting pot that her husband might experiment on being a merchant?”
“Do you think your sister would risk the savings from fifty years of work over a bronze melting pot just so her husband could try being a merchant?”
“Not if I spoke in your words.”
“Not if I used your words.”
“Then go to her and say, ‘Three years I have labored each day except fast days, from morning until night, and I have denied myself many things that my heart craved. For each year of labor and self-denial I have to show one piece of gold. Thou art my favored sister and I wish that thy husband may engage in business in which he will prosper greatly. If he will submit to me a plan that seems wise and possible to my friend, Mathon, then will I gladly loan to him my savings of an entire year that he may have an opportunity to prove that he can succeed.’ Do that, I say, and if he has within him the soul to succeed he can prove it. If he fails he will not owe thee more than he can hope to some day repay.
“Then go to her and say, ‘For three years I have worked from morning until night, every day except fast days. I have denied myself many things my heart desired. For each year of work and self-denial, I have one piece of gold to show. You are my favorite sister, and I want your husband to start a business in which he will prosper greatly. If he brings me a plan that my friend Mathon thinks is sensible and achievable, I will gladly lend him a full year’s savings. That loan will give him a chance to prove he can succeed.’ Do as I say. If he has what it takes to succeed, he can prove himself. If he fails, he will not owe you more than he can hope to repay someday.
Loaning to him wisely thou may’st help him to prosper and repay, but if unwisely you not only lose thy gold but help him descend into the pit of debt where is sorrow and unhappiness.”
If you lend to him wisely, you may help him prosper and repay you. But if you lend unwisely, you not only lose your gold. You also help him sink into the pit of debt, where there is sorrow and unhappiness.”
When Rodan would thank him for his wise advice he would not listen, saying, “The king’s gift shall teach thee much wisdom. If wouldst keep thy fifty pieces of gold thou must be discreet indeed. Many uses will tempt thee. Much advice will be spoken to thee. Numerous opportunities to make large profits will be offered thee. The stories from my token box should warn thee, before thou let any pieces of gold leave thy pouch to be sure thou hast a safe way to pull it back again. Should my further advice appeal to thee, return again. It is gladly given.
When Rodan tried to thank him for his wise advice, he refused to listen, saying, “The king’s gift will teach you much wisdom. If you want to keep your fifty pieces of gold, you must be very careful indeed. Many uses for your gold will tempt you. You will hear much advice. You will be offered many opportunities to make large profits. The stories from my token box should serve as a warning. Before you let any gold leave your pouch, be sure you have a safe way to get that gold back. If you would like more advice from me, come back. I gladly give my advice.
Ere thou goest read this which I have carved beneath the lid of my token box. It applies equally to the borrower and the lender.”
Before you go, read the words I carved under the lid of my token box. They apply equally to borrowers and lenders.”
“BETTER A LITTLE CAUTION THAN A GREAT REGRET”
“A LITTLE CAUTION IS BETTER THAN A LOT OF REGRET”