Itmi'Nán Al-Nafs, or "the Peace of the Soul"
The narrative follows a wealthy merchant who recounts his rise to immense fortune through shrewd financial dealings and manipulative practices. He begins by detailing how he acquired wealth without personal investment, receiving a substantial income from the taxes of two states he financially aided during a war. Despite his riches and popularity, he continues to seek further wealth, illustrating the insatiable nature of greed. The merchant describes various schemes he devised to accumulate wealth, including offering loans to neighboring states, creating an insurance system that profited from human misfortune, and engaging in speculative real estate ventures. He employs deceptive tactics to inflate the value of properties, ensuring that the public remains engaged in buying and selling shares, thus perpetuating his wealth. His marriage to a remarkable woman, who initially worked in his office, is also recounted. She shares his financial acumen, and together they navigate the complexities of wealth and power. The merchant's philanthropic endeavors, such as funding educational institutions and supporting the poor, are juxtaposed with his exploitative business practices, highlighting the moral ambiguities of his character. As the story progresses, the merchant experiences a moral crisis when he senses a decline in the societal fabric of the community he has enriched. A warning from an external threat prompts him to liquidate his assets and return to his homeland, where he feels a sense of peace. He reflects on the nature of wealth, concluding that true contentment comes from a balance of fortune and moral integrity. In the end, he bequeaths his wealth to his youngest nephew, recognizing the potential for both greatness and folly in the next generation. The narrative serves as a commentary on the nature of wealth, the moral implications of financial success, and the cyclical patterns of greed and ambition across generations.
By Hilaire Belloc · First published 1910 · Genre: Philosophical Fiction, Social Commentary, Historical Fiction · 4,759 words
First lines
"We had arrived," said the excellent old merchant to his nephews when they were once more seated round him for the last of these entertaining relations. "We had arrived, my dear boys, in the story of my life, at my considerable increase of fortune through the financial aid I had given to two states, one of which after a long and exhaustive war had conquered and annexed the other.
"My position (if you recollect) at the close of this adventure was that without having spent any money of my own I was now receiving permanently and forever a very large yearly revenue set aside from the taxes of both states.
What this Textopian page supports
Itmi'Nán Al-Nafs, or "the Peace of the Soul" is listed on Textopian as an essay by Hilaire Belloc, dated 1910 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Essay
- Author: Hilaire Belloc
- Date: 1910 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Philosophical Fiction, Social Commentary, Historical Fiction, Satire, Adventure
- Length: 4,759 words
- Structure: 1 section, 57 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
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- Work identity for Itmi'Nán Al-Nafs, or "the Peace of the Soul" by Hilaire Belloc
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Itmi'Nán Al-Nafs, or "the Peace of the Soul"?
- How does this essay by Hilaire Belloc fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Philosophical Fiction first become important in the reading?
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- Religious Isolation by Matthew Arnold
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Genres
- Philosophical Fiction — The book explores deep themes of wealth, morality, and the human condition, reflecting on the nature of happiness and the peace of the soul.
- Social Commentary — It critiques societal structures, wealth distribution, and the moral implications of financial success.
- Historical Fiction — Set in a historical context, it reflects the socio-economic conditions of the time and the impact of wealth on society.
- Satire — The narrative employs humor and irony to critique the excesses of wealth and the folly of human greed.
Tags
Philosophical · Spiritual · Meditative · Poetic · Inspirational · Reflective · Contemplative · Existential · Psychological · Self-Discovery · Personal Growth · Mindfulness