The story is told of an American tourist who made arrangements to visit with the 19th century Polish rabbi, Hofetz Chaim.

Astonished to see that the rabbi's home was only a simple room filled with books plus a table and bench, the tourist asked, "Rabbi, where is your furniture?"

"Where is yours?" replied the rabbi.

"Mine?" asked the puzzled American. "But I'm a visitor here. I'm only passing through."

"So am I," said Hofetz Chaim. “So am I.”