Never in any case say, I have lost such a thing, but I have returned it. Is thy child dead? it is returned. Is thy wife dead? she is returned. Art thou deprived of thy estate? is not this also returned?
Never say, I have lost something. Say instead, I have returned it. Has your child died? Your child has been returned. Has your wife died? She has been returned. Has your property been taken from you? Hasn't that also been returned?
——“But he is wicked who deprives me of it!”
“But whoever takes it away from me is wicked!”
But what is that to thee, through whom the Giver demands his own? As long, therefore, as he grants it to thee, steward it like another’s property, as travelers use an inn.
But why should it matter to you who the Giver uses to reclaim what is his? As long as he lets you keep it, care for it as someone else’s property, as travelers use an inn.