Abou, Abas, Abat; Abamus, Abatus, Abant September 3, 2009March 16, 2017 WIN $1 MILLION (SORT OF.) Fun! (Thanks, Alan.) There goes the rest of your day. SAVE AT CHARLES NOLAN Take 25% off the already deeply discounted sale merchandise at charlesnolan.com with code SS25. All the white shirts are out of stock, but a lot of the jackets and shoes and cashmere scarves would look great on you. (Full disclosure: Charles is my better half.) DANGER AHEAD? Joel Grow: “Any opinion on John Mauldin’s new fund? What of his notion that we have another big downturn coming?” ☞ A market downturn seems likely and perhaps imminent – but what do I know? It’s certainly not a sure thing. Mauldin is a very smart guy, but the fund he describes expects high turnover which means the drag of transaction costs and short-term capital gains taxes. And I take it as an ominous sign that the FAQ section, when asked about the fees the fund charges, says simply “see the prospectus.” So I wouldn’t rush into this, but it could be something to explore. ABOU So I’ve been getting some mail about Matthew 25:32-46. Many of you agree that it’s not belief in God that will get us into heaven, if there is one, but rather how we treat each other. Which brings me to Abou. Not the hapless restaurateur of Seinfeld fame – this one, made famous in the West by James Leigh Hunt’s 1838 poem (thanks, Wendy!): Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!) Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace, And saw, within the moonlight of his room, Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom, An angel writing in a book of gold:- Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold, And to the presence in the room he said, ‘What writest thou?’ – The vision raised its head, And with a look made of all sweet accord, Answered ‘The names of those who love the Lord.’ ‘And is mine one?’ said Abou. ‘Nay, not so,’ Replied the angel. Abou spoke more low, But cheerly still; and said ‘I pray thee then, Write me as one that loves his fellow-men.’ The angel wrote, and vanished. The next night It came again with a great wakening light, And showed the names who love of God had blessed, And lo! Ben Adhem’s name led all the rest.