Lafontaine Savetier Financier

tale:lafontaine_savetier_financier

(Le Savetier et le Financier) A poor cobbler sings all day, to the envy of a rich financier who cannot sleep for his cares. The financier gives him a purse of gold; but the cobbler, suddenly anxious for his hoard, loses his sleep and his songs — and returns the money to buy back his cheerful poverty. Moral: peace and a glad heart are worth more than gold. — Jean de La Fontaine