Chapter XCVI. His words against those who praised him

133. He strove to hide the good gifts of his Lord in the secrecy of his bosom, lest that which might be a cause of his falling should become matter for boasting. For oftentimes when many were proclaiming him blessed he would answer: "I may have sons and daughters yet: praise not one who is [not] l secure. No one should be praised whose end is uncertain. If the Giver should ever choose to take away what he has lent, the body and soul would alone remain, and these even the unbeliever possesses." Such was his language to those who praised him. But to¹ himself he said: "If the Most High had given as much to a robber, he would be more thankful, Francis, than thou art".