end he wanted; for though he often pretended to be in
Distress, and abandoned to the Frowns of Fortune, this Man always
relieved him, and with such Chearfulness and Sincerity, that
concluding he had found out the only Man to whom he ought to open both
his Purse and his Heart, he let him so far into his Secrets, as to
desire his Assistance in hiding a large Sum of Money, which he wanted
to conceal, lest the Prince of the Country, who was absolute, should,
by the Advice of his wicked Minister, put him to Death for his Gold.
The two Philosophers met and hid the Money, which the Stranger, after
some Days, went to see, but found it gone. How was he struck to the
Heart, when he found that his Friend, whom he had often tried, and who
had relieved him in his Distress, could not withstand this Temptation,
but broke through the sacred Bonds of Friendship, and turned even a
Thief for Gold which he did not want, as he was already very rich. Oh!
said he, what is the Heart of Man made of? Why am I condemned to live
among People who have no Sincerity, and who barter the most sacred
Ties of Friendship and Humanity for the Dirt that we tread on? Had I
lost my Gold and found a real Friend, I should have been happy with
the Exchange, but now I am most miserable. After some Time he wiped
off his Tears, and being determined not to be so imposed on, he had
Recourse to Cunning and the Arts of Life. He went to his pretended
Friend with a chearful Countenance, told him he had more Gold to hide,
and desired him to appoint a Time when they might go together, and
open the Earth to put it into the same Pot; the other, in Hopes of
getting more Wealth, appointed the next Evening. They went together,
opened the Ground, and found the Money they had first placed there,
for the artful Wretch, he so much confided in, had conveyed it again
into the Pot, in order to obtain more. Our Philosopher immediately
took the Gold, and putting it into his Pocket, told the other he had
now altered his Mind, and should bury it no more, till he found a Man
more worthy of his Confidence. See what People lose by being
dishonest. This calls to my Mind the Words of the Poet:

_A Wit's a Feather, and a Chief's a Rod,
An honest Man's the noblest Work of God._

Remember this Story, and take Care whom you trust; but don't be
covetous, sordid and miserable; for the Gold we have is but lent us to
do Good with. We received all from the Hand of God, and every Person
in Distress