Giving thanks for abundance
is sweeter than the abundance itself:
Should one who is absorbed with the
Generous One
be distracted by the gift?
Thankfulness is the soul of beneficence;
abundance is but the husk,
for thankfulness brings you to the place where the Beloved lives.
Abundance yields heedlessness;
thankfulness, alertness:
hunt for bounty with the snare of gratitude to the King.
[Mathnawi III, 2895-2897]

Jelaluddin Rumi, Jewels of Remembrance by Camille Helminski,translator, Kabir Helminski,translator