- Laith Taher 225
happiness in the relationship. Whereas one may hate his
brother, and there are no guarantees he will love him.
Therefore, it is possible for evil and harm to result from
their relationship. Furthermore, if one discovers later that a
friend is not what he claims to be and turns out to wish his
friend evil, or if his friend changes and starts to hate him, it
is possible to end the relationship and avoid his evil and
harm. But he cannot do so with his brother. What is greater
than friendship and brotherhood is their combination, when
brothers are real best friends, when the advantages of both
brotherhood and friendship are combined, and the
relationship is really deep and strong. Those who have this
wonderful unique experience are so lucky.”
Moving his hands, he added, “As for your brother’s
jealousy of you, it is very common between brothers. A
man does not feel jealous of a king, maybe envious, but not
jealous, although he is most probably more successful and
happier than him because he can justify such success and
happiness saying that said king was born a king in a palace
with a golden spoon in his mouth, and with everyone
fearing him and seeking to please him.
“Yet, a man often feels jealous of his brother, if that
brother is more successful and happier than he is because
he cannot justify such success and happiness. As said
brother was born in the same house he was born in and
shares the same parents, amount of money, and most living
conditions.”
He scratched his cheek with his hand and continued,
“I believe your tolerance of your brother’s jealousy is a
good thing so long as it does not lead to serious harm.”
It did not take him long to come up with the answer,
as he had already reflected on the issue of jealousy between
people, especially brothers, just like dozens of other issues,