於是一個富人說，請給我們談施與。
他回答說：
你把你的產業給人，那只算給了一點。
當你以身佈施的時候，那才是真正的施與。
因為你的財產，豈不是你保留著的恐怕明日或許需要它們的東西麼？
但是明日，那只過慮的犬，隨著香客上聖城去，卻把骨頭埋在無痕跡的沙土裡，明日能把什麼給他呢？
除了需要的本身之外，需要還憂懼什麼呢？
當你在井泉充溢的時候愁渴，那你的渴不是更難解麼？
有人有許多財產，卻只把一小部分給人——他們為求名而施與，那潛藏的慾念，使他們的禮物不完美。
有人只有一點財產，卻全部都給人。
這些人相信生命和生命的豐富，他們的寶櫃總不空虛。
有人喜樂地施與，那喜樂就是他們的酬報。
有人痛苦地施與，那痛苦就是他們的洗禮。
也有人施與了，而不覺出施與的痛苦，也不尋求快樂，也不有心為善；他們的施與，如同那邊山谷裡的桂花，香氣在空際浮動。
從這些人的手中，上帝在說話；在他們的眼後，上帝在俯對大地微笑。
為有請求而施與的，固然是好；而未受請求，只因著默喻而施與的，是更好了。對於樂善好施的人，去尋求需要他幫助的人的快樂，比施與的快樂還大。
有什麼東西你必須保留的呢？
必有一天，你的一切都要交付出來；
趁現在施與罷，這施與的時機是你自己的，而不是你的後人的。
你常說：「我要施與，卻只要捨給那些配受施與者。」
你果園裡的樹木，和牧場上的羊群，卻不這樣說。
他們為要生存而施與，因為保留就是毀滅。
凡是配接受白日和黑夜的人們，都配接受你施與的一切。
凡配在生命的海洋裡啜飲的，都配在你的小泉裡舀滿他的杯。
還有什麼德行比接受的勇氣、信心和善意還大呢？
有誰能使人把他們的心懷敞露，把他們的狷傲揭開，使你能看出他們赤裸的價值和無慚的驕傲？
先省察你自己是否配做一個施與者，是否配做一個施與的器皿。
因為實在說，那只是生命給予生命——你以為自己是施主，其實也不過是一個證人。
你接受的人們——你們都是接受者——不要掮起報恩的重擔，恐怕你要把軛加在你自己和施者的身上。
不如和施者在禮物上一齊展翅飛騰；
因為過於思量你們的欠負，就是懷疑了那以慈悲的大地為母、以上帝為父的人的仁心。
05
On Giving
Then said a rich man, "Speak to us of Giving."
And he answered:
You give but little when you give of your possessions.
It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.
For what are your possessions but things you keep and guard for fear you may need them tomorrow?
And tomorrow, what shall tomorrow bring to the over prudent dog burying bones in the trackless sand as he follows the pilgrims to the holy city?
And what is fear of need but need itself?
Is not dread of thirst when your well is full, thirst that is unquenchable?
There are those who give little of the much which they have-and they give it for recognition and their hidden desire makes their gifts unwholesome.
And there are those who have little and give it all.
These are the believers in life and the bounty of life, and their coffer is never empty.
There are those who give with joy, and that joy is their reward.
And there are those who give with pain, and that pain is their baptism.
And there are those who give and know not pain in giving, nor do they seek joy, nor give with mindfulness of virtue;
They give as in yonder valley the myrtle breathes its fragrance into space.
Through the hands of such as these God speaks, and from behind their eyes He smiles upon the earth.
It is well to give when asked, but it is better to give unasked, through understanding;
And to the open-handed the search for one who shall receive is joy greater than giving
And is there aught you would withhold?
All you have shall some day be given;
Therefore give now, that the season of giving may be yours and not your inheritors'.
You often say, "I would give, but only to the deserving."
The trees in your orchard say not so, nor the flocks in your pasture.
They give that they may live, for to withhold is to perish.
Surely he who is worthy to receive his days and his nights is worthy of all else from you.
And he who has deserved to drink from the ocean of life deserves to fill his cup from your little stream.
And what desert greater shall there be than that which lies in the courage and the confidence, nay the charity, of receiving?
And who are you that men should rend their bosom and unveil their pride, that you may see their worth naked and their pride unabashed?
See first that you yourself deserve to be a giver, and an instrument of giving.
For in truth it is life that gives unto life-while you, who deem yourself a giver, are but a witness.
And you receivers-and you are all receivers-assume no weight of gratitude, lest you lay a yoke upon yourself and upon him who gives.
Rather rise together with the giver on his gifts as on wings;
For to be over mindful of your debt, is to doubt his generosity who has the free-hearted earth for mother, and God for father.