حاتمِ طایی را گفتند: از تو بزرگهمّتتر در جهان دیدهای یا شنیدهای؟
گفت: بلی! روزی چهل شتر قربان کرده بودم اُمرایِ عرب را، پس به گوشهٔ صحرایی به حاجتی برون رفته بودم، خارکنی را دیدم پشته فراهم آورده. گفتمش: به مهمانیِ حاتم چرا نَرَوی که خَلقی بر سِماطِ او گرد آمدهاند؟ گفت:
هرکه نان از عملِ خویش خورَد
منّتِ حاتمِ طایی نبَرَد
من او را به همّت و جوانمردی از خود برتر دیدم.
Hatim Tai, having been asked whether he had seen in the world anyone of more exalted sentiments than himself, replied: ‘Yes, one day I slaughtered forty camels to entertain Arab amirs. I had occasion to go out on some business into a corner of the desert, where I noticed a gatherer of briars, who had accumulated a hillock of thistles, and I asked him why he had not become a guest of Hatim since many people had come round to his banquet but he replied:
“Who eats bread by the work of his own hand Will not bear to be obliged to Hatim Tai.”
Then I saw that his sentiments were more exalted than mine.’