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The Gulistan of Sa'di

By Sa'di

Written 1258 A.C.E.

Introductory

In the Name of Allah the Merciful the Clement

Laudation to the God of majesty and gory! "#edien$e to him is a $ause of a%%roa$h and gratitude in

in$rease of #enefits. E&ery inhaation of the #reath %roongs ife and e&ery e%iration of it gaddens

our nature( )herefore e&ery #reath $onfers t)o #enefits and for e&ery #enefit gratitude is due.

Whose hand and tongue is $a%a#e

*o fufi the o#igations of than+s to him,

Words of the most high- Be than+fu " famiy of /a&id and #ut fe) of my ser&ants are than+fu.

0t is #est to a )orshi%%er for his transgressions

*o offer a%oogies at the throne of God

Athough )hat is )orthy of his dignity

o one is a#e to a$$om%ish.

*he sho)ers of his #oundess mer$y ha&e %enetrated to e&ery s%ot and the #anuet of his unstinted

i#eraity is s%read out e&ery)here. 3e tears not the &ei of re%utation of his )orshi%%ers e&en for

grie&ous sins and does not )ithhod their daiy ao)an$e of #read for great $rimes.

" #ountifu "ne )ho from thy in&isi#e treasury

Su%%iest the Gue#re and the Christian )ith food

3o) $oud'st thou disa%%oint thy friends

Whist ha&ing regard for thy enemies,

3e tod the $ham#erain of the morning #ree4e to s%read out the emerad $ar%et and ha&ing

$ommanded the nurse of &erna $ouds to $herish the daughters of %ants in the $rade of the earth the

trees donned the ne) year's ro#e and $othed their #reast )ith the garment of green foiage )hist

their offs%ring the #ran$hes adorned their heads )ith #ossoms at the a%%roa$h of the season of the

roses. Aso the jui$e of the $ane #e$ame dei$ious honey #y his %o)er and the date a ofty tree #y his

$are.

Coud and )ind moon and sun mo&e in the s+y

*hat thou mayest gain #read and not eat it un$on$erned.or thee a are re&o&ing and o#edient.

1

http://classics.mit.edu/Sadi/gulistan.5.iv.html



" thou )ho art a#o&e a imaginations $onje$tures o%inions and ideas

A#o&e anything %eo%e ha&e said or )e ha&e heard or read

*he assem#y is finished and ife has rea$hed its term

And )e ha&e as at first remained %o)eress in des$ri#ing thee.

Panegyric of the Padshah of Islam

may Aah %er%etuate his reign

*he good re%utation of Sa'di )hi$h is $urrent among the %eo%e the reno)n of his eouen$e )hi$h

has s%read on the surfa$e of the earth the %rodu$ts of his friendy %en )hi$h are $onsumed i+e sugar

and the s$ra%s of his iterary $om%ositions )hi$h are ha)+ed a#out i+e #is of e$hange $annot #e

as$ri#ed to his &irtue and %erfe$tion #ut the ord of the )ord the ais of the re&o&ing $ir$e of time

the &i$e7gerent of Soomon %rote$tor of the foo)ers of the reigion 3is 6ajesty the Shahanshah

Ata#e+ Aa'4m 6u4affaruddin A#u Be+r Ben Sa'd Ben an+i7*he shado) of Aah on earth! " Lord

#e %eased )ith him and )ith his +ingdom7has oo+ed u%on Sa'di )ith a fa&oura#e eye has %raised

him greaty and has sho)n him sin$ere affe$tion so that a men gente and sim%e o&e him #e$ausethe %eo%e foo) the reigion of their +ing.

Be$ause thou oo+est u%on my hum#e %erson

6y merits are more $ee#rated than those of the sun.

Athough this sa&e may %ossess a fauts

E&ery faut %easing the Sutan #e$omes a &irtue.

A s)eet7smeing %ie$e of $ay one day in the #ath

Came from the hand of a #eo&ed one to my hand.

0 as+ed- 'Art thou mus+ or am#ergris,Be$ause thy dei$ious odour intoi$ates me.'

0t re%ied- '0 )as a des%i$a#e um% of day(

But for a )hie in the so$iety of a rose.

*he %erfe$tion of my $om%anion too+ effe$t on me

And if not 0 am the same earth )hi$h 0 am.'

" Aah fa&our the 6usamans )ith the %roongation of his ife and )ith an augmentation of his

re)ard for his good uaities and deeds( eat the dignities of his friends and go&ernors( annihiate

those )ho are inimi$a to him and )ish him i( for the sa+e of )hat is re$orded in the &erses of the

9uran. " Aah gi&e se$urity %rote$t his son.

:eriy the )ord is ha%%y through him( may his ha%%iness endure for e&er

And may the Lord strengthen him and )ith the #anners of &i$tory.

*hus the #ran$h )i fourish of )hi$h he is the root

Be$ause the #eauty of the earth's %ants de%ends on the &irtue of the seed.

6ay God )hose name #e eated and hao)ed +ee% in se$urity and %ea$e the %ure $ountry of Shira4

unti the time of the resurre$tion under the authority of righteous go&ernors and #y the eertions of

%ra$ti$a s$hoars.

;no)est thou not )hy 0 in foreign $ountries

<oamed a#out for a ong time,

3



0 )ent a)ay from the distress of the *ur+s #e$ause 0 sa)

*he )ord entanged i+e the hair of negroes(

*hey )ere a human #eings #ut

Li+e )o&es shar%7$a)ed for shedding #ood.

When 0 returned 0 sa) the $ountry at rest

*he tigers ha&ing a#andoned the nature of tigers.

Within a man of good dis%osition i+e an ange

Without an army i+e #ei$ose ions.

*hus it ha%%ened that first 0 #ehed

*he )ord fu of $onfusion aniety and distress(

*hen it #e$ame as it is in the days of the just Sutan

Ata#e+ A#u Be+r Ben Sa'd an+i.

*he $ountry of =ares dreads not the &i$issitudes of time

As ong as one %resides o&er it i+e thee the shado) of God.

*oday no one $an %oint out on the surfa$e of the earthA %a$e i+e the threshod of thy door the asyum of $omfort.

"n thee is in$um#ent the %rote$tion of the distressed and gratitude

>%on us and re)ard on God the $reator of the )ord

As ong as the )ord and )ind endure.

The Cause for Composing the Gulistan

0 )as one night meditating on the time )hi$h had ea%sed re%enting of the ife 0 had suandered and

%erforating the stony mansion of my heart )ith adamantine tears. 1 0 uttered the foo)ing &erses in

$onformity )ith the state of mind-

E&ery moment a #reath of ife is s%ent

0f 0 $onsider not mu$h of it remains.

" thou )hose fifty years ha&e ea%sed in see%

Wit thou %erha%s o&erta+e them in these fi&e days,

Shame on him )ho has gone and done no )or+.

*he drum of de%arture )as #eaten #ut he has not made his oad.

S)eet see% on the morning of de%arture

<etains the %edestrian from the road.

Whoe&er had $ome had #uit a ne) edifi$e.

3e de%arted and eft the %a$e to another

And that other one $on$o$ted the same futie s$hemes

And this edifi$e )as not $om%eted #y anyone.

Cherish not an in$onstant friend.

Su$h a traitor is not fit for amity.

As a the good and #ad must surey die

3e is ha%%y )ho $arries off the #a of &irtue.

Send %ro&ision for thy journey to thy tom#.

o#ody )i #ring it after thee( send it #efore.

Life is sno) the sun is meting hot.

Litte remains #ut the genteman is sothfu sti.

4



" thou )ho hast gone em%ty handed to the #a4ar

0 fear thou )it not #ring a to)e fied.

Who eats the $orn he has so)n )hie it is yet green

6ust at har&est time gean the ears of it.

Listen )ith a thy heart to the ad&i$e of Sa'di.

Su$h is the )ay( #e a man and tra&e on.

*he $a%ita of man's ife is his a#domen.

0f it #e graduay em%tied there is no fear

But if it #e so $osed as not to o%en

*he heart may )e des%air of ife(

And if it #e o%en so that it $annot #e $osed

Go and )ash thy hands of this )ord's ife.

our $ontending re#eious dis%ositions

3armoni4e #ut fi&e days )ith ea$h other.

0f one of these four #e$omes %re&aentS)eet ife must a#andon the #ody

Wherefore an inteigent and %erfe$t man

Sets not his heart u%on this )ord's ife.

After maturey $onsidering these sentiments 0 thought %ro%er to sit do)n in the mansion of retirement

to fod u% the s+irts of asso$iation to )ash my ta#ets of heedess sayings and no more to induge in

senseess %ratte-

*o sit in a $orner i+e one )ith a $ut tongue deaf and dum#

0s #etter than a man )ho has no $ommand o&er his tongue.

0 $ontinued in this resoution ti a friend )ho had #een my $om%anion in the $ame7itter of misery

and my $omrade in the $oset of affe$tion entered at the door a$$ording to his od $ustom )ith

%ayfu gadness and s%read out the surfa$e of desire( #ut 0 )oud gi&e him no re%y nor ift u% my

head from the +nees of )orshi%. 3e oo+ed at me aggrie&ed and said-

'o) )hie thou hast the %o)er of utteran$e

S%ea+ " #rother )ith gra$e and +indness

Be$ause tomorro) )hen the messenger of death arri&es

*hou )it of ne$essity restrain thy tongue.'

"ne of my $onne$tions informed him ho) matters stood and tod him that 0 had firmy determined

and )as intent u%on s%ending the rest of my ife in $ontinua de&otion and sien$e ad&ising him at the

same time in $ase he shoud #e a#e to foo) my eam%e and to +ee% me $om%any. 3e re%ied- '0

s)ear #y the great dignity of Aah and #y our od friendshi% that 0 sha not dra) #reath nor #udge

one ste% uness he $on&erses )ith me as formery and in his usua )ay( #e$ause it is fooish to insut

friends and easy to e%iate an oath. 0t is against %ro%riety and $ontrary to the o%inions of )ise men

that the ufiar of A'i shoud remain in the s$a##ard and the tongue of Sa'di in his %aate.'

" inteigent man )hat is the tongue in the mouth,

0t is the +ey to the treasure7door of a &irtuous man.

When the door is $osed ho) $an one +no)

5



Whether he is a seer of je)es or a ha)+er,

Athough inteigent men $onsider sien$e $i&i

0t is #etter for thee to s%ea+ at the %ro%er time.

*)o things #eto+en e&ity of intee$t- to remain mute

When it is %ro%er to s%ea+ and to ta+ )hen sien$e is reuired.

0n short 0 had not the firmness to restrain my tongue from s%ea+ing to him and did not $onsider it

%oite to turn a)ay my fa$e from his $on&ersation he #eing a $ongenia friend and sin$erey

affe$tionate.

When thou fightest )ith anyone $onsider

Whether thou )it ha&e to fee from him or he from thee.

0 )as under the ne$essity of s%ea+ing and then )ent out #y )ay of di&ersion in the &erna season

)hen the tra$es of se&ere $od had disa%%eared and the time of the dominion of roses had arri&ed-

Green garments )ere u%on the trees

Li+e hoiday ro#es on $ontented %ersons.

"n the first of the month Ardi#ihesht ?eai

*he #u#us )ere singing on the %u%its of #ran$hes.

>%on the roses %ears of de) had faen

<esem#ing %ers%iration on an angry s)eetheart's $hee+.

0 ha%%ened to s%end the night in a garden )ith one of my friends and )e found it to #e a %easant

$heerfu %a$e )ith heart7ra&ishing entanged trees( its ground seemed to #e %a&ed )ith sma gass #eads )hist from its &ines #un$hes i+e the =eiads )ere sus%ended.

A garden the )ater of )hose ri&er )as im%id

A gro&e the meody of )hose #irds )as harmonious.

*he former fu of #right7$ooured tui%s

*he atter fu of fruits of &arious +inds(

*he )ind had in the shade of its trees

S%read out a #ed of a +inds of fo)ers.

*he net morning )hen the intention of returning had %re&aied o&er the o%inion of tarrying 0 sa)

that my friend had in his s+irt $oe$ted roses s)eet #asi hya$inths and fragrant her#s )ith the

determination to $arry them to to)n( )hereon 0 said- '*hou +no)est that the roses of the garden are

%erisha#e and the season %asses a)ay' and %hioso%hers ha&e said- 'Whate&er is not of ong duration

is not to #e $herished.' 3e as+ed- '*hen )hat is to #e done,' 0 re%ied- '0 may $om%ose for the

amusement of those )ho oo+ and for the instru$tion of those )ho are %resent a #oo+ of a <ose

Garden a Guistan )hose ea&es $annot #e tou$hed #y the tyranny of autumna #asts and the deight

of )hose s%ring the &i$issitudes of time )i #e una#e to $hange into the in$onstan$y of autumn.

"f )hat use )i #e a dish of roses to thee,

*a+e a eaf from my rose7garden.

A fo)er endures #ut fi&e or si days

6



But this rose7garden is a)ays deightfu.

After 0 had uttered these )ords he thre) a)ay the fo)ers from his s+irts and atta$hed himsef to

mine saying- 'When a generous feo) ma+es a %romise he +ee%s it.'

"n the same day 0 ha%%ened to )rite t)o $ha%ters namey on %oite so$iety and the rues of

$on&ersation in a stye a$$e%ta#e to orators and instru$ti&e to etter7)riters. 0n short some roses of

the garden sti remained )hen the #oo+ of the <ose7garden )as finished #ut it )i in reaity #e

$om%eted ony after a%%ro#ation in the $ourt of the Shah )ho is the refuge of the )ord the shado)

of God the ray of his gra$e the treasury of the age the asyum of the aith strengthened #y hea&en

aided against enemies the arm of the &i$torious go&ernment the am% of the res%endent reigion the

#eauty of man+ind the #oast of 0sam Sa'd son of Ata#e+ the great the majesti$ Shahanshah o)ner

of the ne$+s of nations ord of the +ings of Ara#ia and =ersia the sutan of the and and the sea the

heir of the +ingdom of Soomon 6u4affaruddin 0#u Be+r son of Sa'd an+i may Aah the most high

%er%etuate the %ros%erity of them #oth and dire$t their in$inations to e&ery good thing.

=erused )ith a +ind gan$e

Adorned )ith a%%ro#ation #y the so&ereign

0t )i #e a Chinese %i$ture7gaery or design of the Ar4an+

3o%es are entertained that he )i not #e )earied

By these $ontents #e$ause a =ose7garden is not a %a$e of dis%easure.

*he more so as its august %refa$e is dedi$ated

*o Sa'd A#u Be+r Sa'd the son of an+i.

Record of the Great Amir Fahruddin !en A"u !er# Son of A"u Nassar

Again the #ride of imagination $an for )ant of #eauty not ift u% her head nor raise her eyes from the

feet of #ashfuness to a%%ear in the assem#y of %ersons endo)ed )ith %u$hritude uness adorned

)ith the ornaments of a%%ro#ation from the great Amir )ho is earned just aided #y hea&en

&i$torious su%%orter of the throne of the Sutanate and $oun$ior in dei#erations of the ream refuge

of the %oor asyum of strangers %atron of earned men o&er of the %ious gory of the dynasty of

=ares right hand of the +ingdom $hief of the no#es #oast of the monar$hy and of the reigion

su$$our of 0sam and of the 6usamans #uttress of +ings and sutans A#u Be+r son of A#u assar

may Aah %roong his ife augment his dignity enighten his #reast and in$rease his re)ard t)ofod

#e$ause he enjoys the %raise of a great men and is the em#odiment of e&ery auda#e uaity.

Whoe&er re%oses in the shado) of his fa&our

3is sin is transmuted to o#edien$e and his foe into a friend.

E&ery attendant and foo)er has an a%%ointed duty and if in the %erforman$e thereof he gi&es )ay

to remissness and indoen$e he is $ertainy $aed to a$$ount and #e$omes su#je$t to re%roa$hes

e$e%t the tri#e of der&ishes from )hom than+s are due for the #enefits they re$ei&e from great men

as )e as %raises and %rayers a of )hi$h duties are more suita#y %erformed in their a#sen$e than in

their %resen$e #e$ause in the atter they oo+ i+e ostentation and in the former they are free from

$eremony.

*he #a$+ of the #ent s+y #e$ame fat )ith joy

When dame nature #rought forth a $hid i+e thee.

7



0t is an instan$e of )isdom if the Creator

Causes a ser&ant to ma+e the genera )efare his s%e$ia duty.

3e has found eterna ha%%iness )ho i&ed a good ife

Be$ause after his end good re%ute )i +ee% his name ai&e.

o matter )hether &irtuous men %raise you or not

A o&ey maid stands in no need of a tire )oman.

$%cuse for Remissness in Ser&ice and Cause for Preferring Solitude

6y negigen$e and #a$+)ardness in diigent attendan$e at the roya $ourt resem#e the $ase of

Bar4a$humihr )hose merits the sages of 0ndia )ere dis$ussing #ut $oud at ast not re%roa$h him

)ith anything e$e%t so)ness of s%ee$h #e$ause he deayed ong and his hearers )ere o#iged to )ait

ti he dei&ered himsef of )hat he had to say. When Bar4a$humihr heard of this he said- '0t is #etter

for me to $onsider )hat to s%ea+ than to re%ent of )hat 0 ha&e s%o+en.'

A trained orator od agedirst meditates and then s%ea+s.

/o not s%ea+ )ithout $onsideration.

S%ea+ )e and if so) )hat matters it,

/ei#erate and then #egin to ta+.

Say thysef enough #efore others say enough.

By s%ee$h a man is #etter than a #rute

But a #east is #etter uness thou s%ea+est %ro%ery.

3o) then $oud 0 &enture to a%%ear in the sight of the grandees of my ord may his &i$tory #e

gorious )ho are an assem#y of %ious men and the $entre of %rofound s$hoars, 0f 0 )ere to #e ed inthe ardour of $on&ersation to s%ea+ %etuanty 0 $oud %rodu$e ony a trifing sto$+7in7trade in the

no#e %resen$e #ut gass #eads are not )orth a #arey$orn in the #a4ar of je)eers a am% does not

shine in the %resen$e of the sun and a minaret oo+s o) at the foot of 6ount A&end.

Who ifts u% his ne$+ )ith %retentions

oes hasten to him from e&ery side.

Sa'di has faen to #e a hermit.

o one $ame to atta$+ a faen man.

irst dei#eration then s%ee$h(

*he foundation )as aid first then the )a.

0 +no) #ouuet7#inding #ut not in the garden. 0 se a s)eetheart #ut not in Canaan. Loman the

%hioso%her #eing as+ed from )hom he had earnt )isdom re%ied- 'rom the #ind )ho do not ta+e

a ste% #efore trying the %a$e.' irst mo&e a#out then stir out.

*ry thy &iriity first then marry.

*hough a $o$+ may #e #ra&e in )ar

3e stri+es his $a)s in &ain on a #ra4en fa$on.

A $at is a ion in $at$hing mi$e

But a mouse in $om#at )ith a tiger.

But trusting in the i#era sentiments of the great )ho shut their eyes to the fauts of their inferiors

8



and a#stain from di&uging the $rimes of hum#e men )e ha&e in this #oo+ re$orded #y )ay of

a#ridgment some rare e&ents stories %oetry and a$$ounts a#out an$ient +ings s%ending a %ortion of

our %re$ious ife in the tas+. *his )as the reason for $om%osing the #oo+ Guistan( and he% is from

Aah.

*his )e7arranged $om%osition )i remain for years

When e&ery atom of our dust is dis%ersed.

*he intention of this design )as that it shoud sur&i&e

Be$ause 0 %er$ei&e no sta#iity in my eisten$e

>ness one day a %ious man $om%assionatey

>tters a %rayer for the )or+s of der&ishes.

*he author ha&ing dei#erated u%on the arrangement of the #oo+ and the adornment of the $ha%ters

deemed it suita#e to $urtai the di$tion of this #eautifu garden and uuriant gro&e and to ma+e it

resem#e %aradise )hi$h aso has eight entran$es. *he a#ridgment )as made to a&oid tediousness.

0 *he 6anners of ;ings

00 "n the 6oras of /er&ishes

000 "n the E$een$e of Content

0: "n the Ad&antages of Sien$e

: "n Lo&e and @outh

:0 "n Wea+ness and "d Age

:00 "n the Effe$ts of Edu$ation

:000 "n <ues for Condu$t in Life

At a %eriod )hen our time )as %easant*he 3ejret )as si hundred and fifty7si.

"ur intention )as ad&i$e and )e ga&e it.

We re$ommended thee to God and de%arted.

9



Chapter I

The Manners of ings

Story 1

0 heard a %adshah gi&ing orders to +i a %risoner. *he he%ess feo) #egan to insut the +ing on that

o$$asion of des%air )ith the tongue he had and to use fou e%ressions a$$ording to the saying-

Who )ashes his hands of ife

Says )hate&er he has in his heart.

When a man is in des%air his tongue #e$omes ong and he is i+e a &anuished $at assaiing a dog.

0n time of need )hen fight is no more %ossi#e

*he hand gras%s the %oint of the shar% s)ord.

When the +ing as+ed )hat he )as saying a good7natured &e4ier re%ied- '6y ord he says- *hose )ho

#ride their anger and forgi&e men( for Aah o&eth the #enefi$ent.'

*he +ing mo&ed )ith %ity for#ore ta+ing his ife #ut another &e4ier the antagonist of the former

said- '6en of our ran+ ought to s%ea+ nothing #ut the truth in the %resen$e of %adshahs. *his feo)

has insuted the +ing and s%o+en un#e$omingy.' *he +ing #eing dis%eased )ith these )ords said-

'*hat ie )as more a$$e%ta#e to me than this truth thou hast uttered #e$ause the former %ro$eeded

from a $on$iiatory dis%osition and the atter from maignity( and )ise men ha&e said- A fasehood

resuting in $on$iiation is #etter than a truth %rodu$ing trou#e.'

3e )hom the shah foo)s in )hat he says

0t is a %ity if he s%ea+s anything #ut )hat is good.

*he foo)ing ins$ri%tion )as u%on the %orti$o of the ha of eridun-

" #rother the )ord remains )ith no one.

Bind the heart to the Creator it is enough.

<ey not u%on %ossessions and this )ord

Be$ause it has $herished many i+e thee and sain them.

When the %ure sou is a#out to de%art

What #oots it if one dies on a throne or on the ground,

Story 2

"ne of the +ings of ;horasan had a &ision in a dream of Sutan 6ahmud one hundred years after his

death. 3is )hoe %erson a%%eared to ha&e #een disso&ed and turned to dust e$e%t his eyes )hi$h

)ere re&o&ing in their or#its and oo+ing a#out. A the sages )ere una#e to gi&e an inter%retation

e$e%t a der&ish )ho made his sautation and said- '3e is sti oo+ing ama4ed ho) his +ingdom #eongs to others.'

10

http://classics.mit.edu/Sadi/gulistan.3.ii.html



6any famous men ha&e #een #uried under ground

"f )hose eisten$e on earth not a tra$e has remained

And that od $or%se )hi$h had #een surrendered to the earth

Was so $onsumed #y the soi that not a #one remains.

*he gorious name of ushir&an sur&i&es in good re%ute

Athough mu$h time ea%sed sin$e he %assed a)ay.

/o good " man and $onsider ife as a good fortune

*he more so as )hen a shout is raised a man eists no more.

Story

0 ha&e heard that a roya %rin$e of short stature and mean %resen$e )hose #rothers )ere ta and

good7oo+ing on$e sa) his father gan$ing on him )ith a&ersion and $ontem%t #ut he had the

shre)dness and %enetration to guess the meaning and said- '" father a %uny inteigent feo) is #etter

than a ta ignorant man neither is e&erything #igger in stature higher in %ri$e. A shee% is ni$e to eatand an ee%hant is $arrion.'

*he smaest mountain on earth is ?ur( ne&ertheess

0t is great )ith Aah in dignity and station.

3ast thou not heard that a ean s$hoar

"ne day said to a fat foo-

'Athough an Ara# horse may #e )ea+

0t is thus more )orth than a sta#e fu of asses.'

*he father aughed at this say the %iars of the state a%%ro&ed of it #ut the #rothers fet mu$h

aggrie&ed.

Whie a man says not a )ord

3is faut and &irtue are $on$eaed.

*hin+ not that e&ery desert is em%ty.

=ossi#y it may $ontain a see%ing tiger.

0 heard that on the said o$$asion the +ing )as mena$ed #y a %o)erfu enemy and that )hen the t)o

armies )ere a#out to en$ounter ea$h other the first )ho entered the #attefied )as the itte feo)

)ho said-

'0 am not he )hose #a$+ thou )it see on the day of #atte

But he )hom thou shat #ehod in dust and #ood.

Who himsef fights sta+es his o)n ife

0n #atte #ut he )ho fees the #ood of his army.'

After uttering these )ords he rushed among the troo%s of the enemy se) se&era )arriors and

returning to his father made hum#e o#eisan$e and said-

'" thou to )hom my %erson a%%eared $ontem%ti#e

/idst not #eie&e in the im%etuosity of my &aour.

11



A horse )ith sender girth is of use

"n the day of #atte not a fattened o.'

0t is reated that the troo%s of the enemy )ere numerous and that the +ing's #eing fe) )ere a#out to

fee #ut that the %uny youth raised a shout saying- '" men ta+e $are not to %ut on the garments of

)omen.' *hese )ords augmented the rage of the troo%ers so that they made a unanimous atta$+ and 0

heard that they gained the &i$tory on the said o$$asion. *he +ing +issed the head and eyes of his son

too+ him in his arms and daiy augmented his affe$tion ti he a%%ointed him to su$$eed him on the

throne. 3is #rothers #e$ame en&ious and %a$ed %oison in his food #ut )ere %er$ei&ed #y his sister

from her a%artment )hereon she $osed the )indo) &ioenty and the youth shre)dy guessing the

signifi$an$e of the a$t restrained his hands from tou$hing the food and said- '0t is im%ossi#e that

men of honour shoud die and those )ho %ossess none shoud ta+e their %a$e.'

o one goes under the shado) of an o)

E&en if the homa shoud disa%%ear from the )ord.

*his state of affairs ha&ing #een #rought to the noti$e of the father he se&erey re%ro&ed the #rothers

and assigned to ea$h of them a different #ut %easant distri$t as a %a$e of eie ti the $onfusion )as

ueed and the uarre a%%eased( and it has #een said that ten der&ishes may see% under the same

#an+et #ut that one $ountry $annot hod t)o %adshahs.

When a %ious man eats haf a oaf of #read

3e #esto)s the other haf u%on der&ishes.

0f a %adshah )ere to $onuer the se&en $imates

3e )oud sti in the same )ay $o&et another.

Story

A #and of Ara# #rigands ha&ing ta+en u% their %osition on the to% of a mountain and $osed the

%assage of $ara&ans the inha#itants of the $ountry )ere distressed #y their stratagems and the troo%s

of the sutan foied #e$ause the ro##ers ha&ing o#tained an ina$$essi#e s%ot on the summit of the

mountain thus had a refuge )hi$h they made their ha#itation. *he $hiefs of that region hed a

$onsutation a#out getting rid of the $aamity #e$ause it )oud #e im%ossi#e to offer resistan$e to the

ro##ers if they )ere ao)ed to remain.

A tree )hi$h has just ta+en root

6ay #e mo&ed from the %a$e #y the strength of a man

But if thou ea&est it thus for a ong time

*hou $anst not u%root it )ith a )indass.

*he sour$e of a fountain may #e sto%%ed )ith a #od+in

But )hen it is fu it $annot #e $rossed on an ee%hant.

*he $on$usion )as arri&ed at to send one man as a s%y and to )ait for the o%%ortunity ti the

#rigands de%arted to atta$+ some %eo%e and ea&e the %a$e em%ty. *hen se&era e%erien$ed men

)ho had fought in #attes )ere des%at$hed to +ee% themse&es in am#ush in a hoo) of the

mountain. 0n the e&ening the #rigands returned from their e$ursion )ith their #ooty di&ested

themse&es of their arms %ut a)ay their %under and the first enemy )ho atta$+ed them )as see% ti

a#out a )at$h of the night had ea%sed-

12



*he dis+ of the sun )ent into dar+ness.

?onah )ent into the mouth of the fish.

*he )arriors ea%t forth from the am#ush tied the hands of e&ery one of the ro##ers to his shouders

and #rought them in the morning to the $ourt of the +ing )ho ordered a of them to #e sain. *here

ha%%ened to #e a youth among them the fruit of )hose &igour )as just ri%ening and the &erdure on

the rose7garden of )hose $hee+ had #egun to s%rout. "ne of the &e4iers ha&ing +issed the foot of the

+ing's throne and %a$ed the fa$e of inter$ession u%on the ground said- '*his #oy has not yet eaten any

fruit from the garden of ife and has not yet enjoyed the %easures of youth. 0 ho%e your majesty )i

generousy and +indy $onfer an o#igation u%on your sa&e #y s%aring his ife.' *he +ing #eing

dis%eased )ith this reuest ans)ered-

'3e )hose foundation is #ad )i not ta+e instru$tion from the good

*o edu$ate un)orthy %ersons is i+e thro)ing nuts on a $u%oa.

'0t is %refera#e to etir%ate the ra$e and offs%ring of these %eo%e and #etter to dig u% their roots and

foundations #e$ause it is not the %art of )ise men to etinguish fire and to ea&e #urning $oas or to

+i a &i%er and ea&e its young ones.

0f a $oud shoud rain the )ater of ife

e&er si% it from the #ran$h of a )io)7tree.

Asso$iate not )ith a #ase feo)

Be$ause thou $anst not eat sugar from a mat7reed.'

*he &e4ier heard these sentiments a%%ro&ed of them noens &oens %raised the o%inion of the +ingand said- 'What my ord has uttered is the &ery truth itsef #e$ause if the #oy had #een #rought u% in

the $om%any of those )i$+ed men he )oud ha&e #e$ome one of themse&es. But your sa&e ho%es

that he )i in the so$iety of %ious men %rofit #y edu$ation and )i a$uire the dis%osition of )ise

%ersons. Being yet a $hid the re#eious and %er&erse tem%er of that #and has not yet ta+en hod of his

nature and there is a tradition of the %ro%het that e&ery infant is #orn )ith an in$ination for 0sam #ut

his %arents ma+e him a ?e) a Christian or a 6ajusi.'

*he s%ouse of Lot #e$ame a friend of )i$+ed %ersons.

3is ra$e of %ro%hets #e$ame etin$t.

*he dog of the $om%anions of the $a&e for some days

Asso$iated )ith good %eo%e and #e$ame a man.

When the &e4ier had said these )ords and some of the +ing's $ourtiers had added their inter$ession to

his the +ing no onger desired to shed the #ood of the youth and said- '0 grant the reuest athough 0

disa%%ro&e7of it.'

;no)est thou not )hat a said to the hero <astam-

'An enemy $annot #e hed des%i$a#e or he%ess.

0 ha&e seen many a )ater from a %atry s%ring

Be$oming great and $arrying off a $ame )ith its oad.'

0n short the &e4ier #rought u% the #oy dei$atey )ith e&ery $omfort and +e%t masters to edu$ate

13



him ti they had taught him to address %ersons in eegant anguage as )e as to re%y and he had

a$uired e&ery a$$om%ishment. "ne day the &e4ier hinted at his taents in the %resen$e of the +ing

asserting that the instru$tions of )ise men had ta+en effe$t u%on the #oy and had e%eed his

%re&ious ignoran$e from his nature. *he +ing smied at these )ords and said-

'At ast a )of's )he% )i #e a )of

Athough he may gro) u% )ith a man.'

After t)o years had ea%sed a #and of ro##ers in the o$aity joined him tied the +not of friendshi%

and )hen the o%%ortunity %resented itsef he +ied the &e4ier )ith his son too+ a)ay untod )eath

and su$$eeded to the %osition of his o)n father in the ro##er7$a&e )here he esta#ished himsef. *he

+ing informed of the e&ent too+ the finger of ama4ement #et)een his teeth and said-

'3o) $an a man fa#ri$ate a good s)ord of #ad iron,

" sage )ho is no#ody #e$omes not some#ody #y edu$ation.

*he rain in the #enefi$en$e of )hose nature there is no fa)Wi $ause tui%s to gro) in a garden and )eeds in #ad soi.

Saine earth )i not %rodu$e hya$inths.

*hro) not a)ay thy seeds or )or+ thereon.

*o do good to )i$+ed %ersons is i+e /oing e&i to good men.'

Story 5

0 sa) at the %aa$e7gate of "gimish the son of a miitary offi$er )ho )as endued )ith mar&eous

intee$t saga$ity %er$e%tion and shre)dness( aso the signs of future greatness manifested

themse&es on his forehead )hist yet a sma #oy.

rom his head inteigen$e $aused

*he star of greatness to shine.

0n short he %eased the sutan #e$ause he had a #eautifu $ountenan$e and a %erfe$t understanding(

and %hioso%hers ha&e said- '=o)er $onsists in a$$om%ishments not in )eath and greatness in

intee$t not in years.' 3is $om%anions #eing en&ious made an attem%t u%on his ife and desired to

+i him #ut their endea&ours remained fruitess.

What $an a foe do )hen the friend is +ind,

*he +ing as+ed- 'What is the $ause of their enmity to thee,' 3e re%ied- '>nder the shado) of the

monar$hy of my ord 0 ha&e satisfied my $ontem%oraries e$e%t the en&ious )ho )i not #e

$ontented #ut #y the de$ine of my %ros%erity and may the monar$hy and good fortune of my ord #e

%er%etua.'

0 may so a$t as not to hurt the feeings of anyone

But )hat $an 0 do to an en&ious man dissatisfied )ith himsef,

/ie " en&ious man for this is a maady

/ei&eran$e from )hi$h $an #e o#tained ony #y death.

>nfortunate men sometimes ardenty desire

*he de$ine of %ros%erous men in )eath and dignity.

14



0f in daytime #at7eyed %ersons do not see

0s it the faut of the fountain of ight the sun,

*hou justy )ishest that a thousand su$h eyes

Shoud #e #ind rather than the sun dar+.

Story D

0t is narrated that one of the +ings of =ersia had stret$hed forth his tyranni$a hand to the %ossessions

of his su#je$ts and had #egun to o%%ress them so &ioenty that in $onseuen$e of his frauduent

etortions they dis%ersed in the )ord and $hose eie on a$$ount of the affi$tion entaied #y his

&ioen$e. When the %o%uation had diminished the %ros%erity of the $ountry suffered the treasury

remained em%ty and on e&ery side enemies $ommitted &ioen$e.

Who desires su$$our in the day of $aamity

Say to him- 'Be generous in times of %ros%erity.'

*he sa&e )ith a ring in his ear if not $herished )i de%art.Be +ind #e$ause then a stranger )i #e$ome thy sa&e.

"ne day the Shahnamah )as read in his assem#y the su#je$t #eing the ruin of the dominion of oha+

and the reign of eridun. *he &e4ier as+ed the +ing ho) it $ame to %ass that eridun )ho %ossessed

neither treasure nor and nor a retinue esta#ished himsef u%on the throne. 3e re%ied- 'As thou hast

heard the %o%uation enthusiasti$ay gathered around him and su%%orted him so that he attained

royaty.' *he &e4ier said- 'As the gathering around of the %o%uation is the $ause of royaty then )hy

dis%ersest thou the %o%uation, =erha%s thou hast no desire for royaty,'

0t is #est to $herish the army as thy ifeBe$ause a sutan reigns #y means of his troo%s.

*he +ing as+ed- 'What is the reason for the gathering around of the troo%s and the %o%uation,' 3e

re%ied- 'A %adshah must %ra$tise justi$e that they may gather around him and $emen$y that they may

d)e in safety under the shado) of his go&ernment( #ut thou %ossessest neither of these uaities.'

A tyranni$ man $annot #e a sutan

As a )of $annot #e a she%herd.

A %adshah )ho esta#ishes o%%ression

/estroys the #asis of the )a of his o)n reign.

*he +ing dis%eased )ith the ad&i$e of his $ensorious &e4ier sent him to %rison. Shorty after)ards

the sons of the +ing's un$e rose in re#eion desirous of re$o&ering the +ingdom of their father. *he

%o%uation )hi$h had #een redu$ed to the ast etremity #y the +ing's o%%ression and s$attered no)

assem#ed around them and su%%orted them ti he ost $ontro of the go&ernment and they too+

%ossession of it.

A %adshah )ho ao)s his su#je$ts to #e o%%ressed

Wi in his day of $aamity #e$ome a &ioent foe.

Be at %ea$e )ith su#je$ts and sit safe from atta$+s of foes

Be$ause his su#je$ts are the army of a just shahanshah.

15



Story

A %adshah )as in the same #oat )ith a =ersian sa&e )ho had ne&er #efore #een at sea and

e%erien$ed the in$on&enien$e of a &esse. 3e #egan to $ry and to trem#e to su$h a degree that he

$oud not #e %a$ified #y +indness so that at ast the +ing #e$ame dis%eased as the matter $oud not #e

remedied. 0n that #oat there ha%%ened to #e a %hioso%her )ho said- 'With thy %ermission 0 sha uiet

him.' *he %adshah re%ied- '0t )i #e a great fa&our.' *he %hioso%her ordered the sa&e to #e thro)n

into the )ater so that he s)ao)ed some of it )hereon #e )as $aught and %ued #y his hair to the

#oat to the stern of )hi$h he $ung )ith #oth his hands. *hen he sat do)n in a $orner and #e$ame

uiet. *his a%%eared strange to the +ing )ho +ne) not )hat )isdom there )as in the %ro$eeding and

as+ed for it. *he %hioso%her re%ied- 'Before he had tasted the $aamity of #eing dro)ned he +ne)

not the safety of the #oat( thus aso a man does not a%%re$iate the &aue of immunity from a

misfortune unti it has #efaen him.'

" thou fu man #arey7#read %eases thee not.

She is my s)eetheart )ho a%%ears ugy to thee.*o the huris of %aradise %urgatory seems he.

As+ the deni4ens of he. *o them %urgatory is %aradise.

*here is a differen$e #et)een him )hose friend is in his arms

And him )hose eyes of e%e$tation are u%on the door.

Story 8

3ormu4d #eing as+ed )hat faut the &e4iers of his father had $ommitted that he im%risoned them

re%ied- '0 dis$o&ered no faut. 0 sa) that #oundess a)e of me had ta+en root in their hearts #ut thatthey had no fu $onfiden$e in my %romises )herefore 0 a%%rehended that they fearing $aamities

)oud #efa them might attem%t my ife and 0 a$ted a$$ording to the maim of sages )ho ha&e said-

'/read him )ho dreads thee " sage

Athough thou $oudst $o%e )ith a hundred i+e him.

Seest thou not )hen the $at #e$omes des%erate

3o) he %u$+s out )ith his $a)s the eyes of a tiger,

*he &i%er stings the she%herd's foot

Be$ause it fears he )i stri+e his head )ith a stone.'

Story F

An Ara# +ing )as si$+ in his state of de$re%itude so that a ho%es of ife )ere $ut off. A troo%er

entered the gate )ith the good ne)s that a $ertain fort had #een $onuered #y the good u$+ of the

+ing that the enemies had #een $a%tured and that the )hoe %o%uation of the distri$t had #een

redu$ed to o#edien$e. *he +ing hea&ed a dee% sigh and re%ied- '*his message is not for me #ut for

my enemies namey the heirs of the +ingdom.'

0 s%ent my %re$ious ife in ho%es aas!

*hat e&ery desire of my heart )i #e fufied.

6y )ishes )ere reai4ed #ut to )hat %rofit, Sin$e

*here is no ho%e that my %ast ife )i return.

16



*he hand of fate has stru$+ the drum of de%arture.

" my t)o eyes #id fare)e to the head.

" %am forearm and arm of my hand

A ta+e ea&e from ea$h other.

/eath the foe of my desires has faen on me

or the ast time " friends. =ass near me.

6y ife has ea%sed in ignoran$e.

0 ha&e done nothing #e on your guard.

Story 1

0 )as $onstanty engaged in %rayer at the head of the %ro%het @ahia's tom# in the $athedra mosue of

/amas$us )hen one of the Ara# +ings notorious for his injusti$e ha%%ened to arri&e on a %igrimage

to it )ho offered his su%%i$ations and as+ed for $om%ian$e )ith his needs.

*he der&ish and the %uto$rat are sa&es on the foor of this threshodAnd those )ho are the )eathiest are the most needy.

*hen he said to me- '/er&ishes #eing 4eaous and &era$ious in their deaings unite thy mind to mine

for 0 am a%%rehensi&e of a %o)erfu enemy.' 0 re%ied- '3a&e mer$y u%on thy fee#e su#je$ts that thou

mayest not #e injured #y a strong foe.'

With a %o)erfu arm and the strength of the )rist

*o #rea+ the fi&e fingers of a %oor man is sin.

Let him #e afraid )ho s%ares not the faen

Be$ause if he fas no one )i ta+e hod of his hand.Whoe&er so)s #ad seed and e%e$ts good fruit

3as $udgeed his #rains for nought and #egotten &ain imaginations.

Etra$t the $otton from thy ears and administer justi$e to thy %eo%e

And if thou faiest to do so there is a day of retri#ution.

*he sons of Adam are im#s of ea$h other

3a&ing #een $reated of one essen$e.

When the $aamity of time affi$ts one im#

*he other im#s $annot remain at rest.

0f thou hast no sym%athy for the trou#es of others

*hou art un)orthy to #e $aed #y the name of a man.

Story 11

A der&ish )hose %rayers met )ith ans)ers made his a%%earan$e and 3ejaj @usuf $aing him said-

'>tter a good %rayer for me' )hereon the der&ish e$aimed- '" God ta+e his ife.' 3e re%ied- 'or

God's sa+e )hat %rayer is this,' *he der&ish rejoined- '0t is a good %rayer for thee and for a

6usamans.'

" tyrant )ho o%%ressest thy su#je$ts

3o) ong )it thou %erse&ere in this,

17



"f )hat use is authority to thee,

*o die is #etter for thee than to o%%ress men.

Story 12

An unjust +ing as+ed a de&otee )hat +ind of )orshi% is #est, 3e re%ied- 'or thee the #est is to see%

one haf of the day so as not to injure the %eo%e for a )hie.'

0 sa) a tyrant see%ing haf the day.

0 said- '*his $onfusion if see% remo&es it so mu$h the #etter(

But he )hose see% is #etter than his )a+efuness

0s #etter dead than eading su$h a #ad ife.'

Story 1

0 heard a +ing )ho had $hanged might into day #y %easures saying in his drun+enness-

'We ha&e in the )ord no moment more deightfu than this

Be$ause 0 $are neither for good nor for #ad nor for anyone.'

A na+ed der&ish )ho )as see%ing outside in the $od then said-

'" thou i+e )hom in ha%%iness there is no one in the )ord

0 ta+e it if thou $arest not )e aso do not $are.'

*he +ing #eing %eased )ith these )ords of un$on$ern hed out a #ag of a thousand dinars from the)indo) and said- '/er&ish s%read out thy s+irt.' 3e re%ied- 'When$e $an 0 )ho ha&e no ro#e #ring a

s+irt,' *he %adshah too+ %ity on his he%ess $ondition added a ro#e to his gift and sent it out to him

#ut the der&ish suandered the money in a short time and returned.

=ro%erty $annot a#ide in the hands of the free

either %atien$e in the heart of a o&er nor )ater in a sie&e.

*he $ase of the der&ish ha&ing #een #rought to the noti$e of the +ing )hen he )as not in good

humour he #e$ame angry and turned his fa$e a)ay. *herefore it has #een said that inteigent and

e%erien$ed men ought to #e on their guard against the &ioen$e and des%otism of +ings #e$ause their

thoughts are generay o$$u%ied )ith im%ortant affairs of state so that they $annot #ear to #e

im%ortuned #y the $ro)d of &ugar %ersons.

3e )i #e e$uded from the #enefi$en$e of the %adshah

Who $annot )at$h for the %ro%er o%%ortunity.

Before thou seest the o$$asion for s%ea+ing at hand

/estroy not thy %o)er #y heedess ta+.

*he +ing said- '/ri&e a)ay this im%udent and %rodiga mendi$ant )ho has in so short a time thro)n

a)ay so mu$h money. 3e does not +no) that the Beit7uma is intended to offer a morse to the needy

and not to feed the #rothers of de&is.'

18



*he foo )ho #urns #y day a $am%hor7ight

Wi soon not ha&e an oi7am% for the night.

"ne of $oun$ior7&e4iers said- '6y ord it )oud seem %ro%er to grant to su$h %ersons a suffi$ient

ao)an$e to #e dra)n from time to time so that they may not suander it. But anger and re%usion as

manifested #y thee are un)orthy of a generous dis%osition as aso to en$ourage a man #y +indness

and then again to distress him #y disa%%ointing his e%e$tation.'

*he door ought not to #e o%ened to a%%i$ants so

*hat )hen it is ajar it may not #e shut again.

o#ody sees the thirsty %igrims to 3eja4

Cro)ding at the #an+ of #riny )ater.

Where&er a s)eet s%ring ha%%ens to #e

6en #irds and inse$ts fo$+ around it.

Story 1

"ne of the an$ient +ings nege$ted the go&ernment of his ream and +e%t the army in distress.

A$$ordingy the )hoe of it ran a)ay )hen a %o)erfu enemy a%%eared.

0f he refrains from gi&ing treasure to the troo%s

*hey refrain from %utting their hands to the s)ord.

What #ra&ery )i they dis%ay in #atte array

When their hands are em%ty and affairs de%ora#e,

0 )as on terms of friendshi% )ith one of those )ho had a$ted trea$herousy and re%roa$hed him

teing him that it )as #ase ungratefu des%i$a#e and undutifu to a#andon an od master )hen his

affairs ha&e $hanged a itte and to disregard the o#igations in$urred for #enefits re$ei&ed during

many years. 3e re%ied- '0f 0 inform thee %erha%s thou )it e$use me for my horse had no #arey and

my sadde7$oth )as %a)ned. A sutan )ho grudges money to his troo%s they $annot #ra&ey ris+

their i&es for him.'

Gi&e god to the sodier that he may ser&e thee.

0f thou )ithodest god he )i ser&e ese)here.

When a )arrior is fu he )i #e #ra&e infight #ut if his #ey #e em%ty he )i #e #ra&e in fight.

Story 15

A &e4ier )ho had #een remo&ed from his %ost entered the $ir$e of der&ishes and the #essing of their

so$iety too+ su$h effe$t u%on him that he #e$ame $ontented in his mind. When the +ing )as again

fa&oura#y dis%osed to)ards him and ordered him to resume his offi$e he refused and said-

'<etirement is #etter than o$$u%ation.'

*hose )ho ha&e sat do)n in the $orner of safety

3a&e #ound the teeth of dogs and tongues of men.*hey tore the %a%er u% and #ro+e the %en

19



And are sa&ed from the hands and tongues of sanderers.

*he +ing said- ':eriy )e stand in need of a man of suffi$ient inteigen$e )ho is a#e to $arry on the

administration of the go&ernment.' 3e re%ied- '0t is a sign of suffi$ient inteigen$e not to engage in

su$h matters.'

*he homa e$es a other #irds in no#iity

Be$ause it feeds on #ones and injures no i&ing thing.

A don+ey ha&ing #een as+ed for )hat saary he had ee$ted to attend u%on the ion re%ied- '*hat 0

may $onsume the remnants of his %rey and i&e in safety from my enemies #y ta+ing refuge under his

#ra&ery.' Being again as+ed that as he had entered into the shado) of the ion's %rote$tion and

gratefuy a$+no)edged his #enefi$en$e )hy he had not joined the $ir$e of intima$y so as to #e

a$$ounted one of his fa&ourite ser&ants he re%ied- '0 am in the same )ay aso not safe of his #ra&ery.'

Shoud a Gue#re +inde fire a hundred years0f he fas one moment into it he )i #e #urnt.

0t may ha%%en that a $om%anion of his majesty the sutan re$ei&es god and it is %ossi#e that he oses

his head. =hioso%hers ha&e said that it is ne$essary to #e on guard of the fi$+e tem%er of %adshahs

#e$ause sometimes they are dis%eased )ith %oiteness and at others they #esto) ro#es of honour for

rudeness. 0t is aso said that mu$h jo$uarity is an a$$om%ishment in $ourtiers #ut a faut in sages.

A#ide thou #y thy dignity and gra&ity.

Lea&e s%ort and jo$uarity to $ourtiers.

Story 1D

"ne of my friends $om%ained of the un%ro%itious times teing me that he had a sender in$ome a

arge famiy )ithout strength to #ear the oad of %o&erty and had often entertained the idea to

emigrate to another $ountry so that no matter ho) he made a i&ing no one might #e$ome a)are of his

good or i u$+.

6any a man se%t hungry and no one +ne) )ho he )as.

6any a man )as at the %oint of death and no one )e%t for him.

3e )as aso a%%rehensi&e of the mae&oen$e of enemies )ho )oud augh #ehind his #a$+ and )oud

attri#ute the strugge he under)ent for the #enefit of his famiy to his )ant of many inde%enden$e

and that they )i say-

'Behod that dishonoura#e feo) )ho )i ne&er

See the fa$e of %ros%erity

Wi $hoose #odiy $omfort for himsef

A#andoning his )ife and $hidren to misery.'

3e aso tod me that as 0 +ne) he %ossessed some +no)edge of arithmeti$ 0 might through my

infuen$e get him a%%ointed to a %ost )hi$h )oud #e$ome the means of %utting his mind at ease and

%a$e him under o#igations to me )hi$h he $oud not reuite #y gratitude during the rest of his ife. 0

20



re%ied- '/ear friend! Em%oyment #y a %adshah $onsists of t)o %arts namey the ho%e for #read and

the danger of ife #ut it is against the o%inion of inteigent men to in$ur this danger for that ho%e.'

o one $omes to the house of a der&ish

*o e&y a ta on and and garden.

Either $onsent to #ear thy aniety or grief

"r $arry thy #eo&ed $hidren to the $ro)s.

3e re%ied- '*hou hast not uttered these )ords in $onformity )ith my $ase nor ans)ered my uestion.

3ast thou not heard the saying, Whoe&er $ommits trea$hery et his hand trem#e at the a$$ount.'

Straightness is the means of a$$e%tan$e )ith God.

0 sa) no one ost on the straight road.

Sages ha&e said- 'our %ersons are for ife in dread of four %ersons- a ro##er of the sutan a thief of

the )at$hman an aduterer of an informer and a harot of the muhtasi#. But )hat has he to fear)hose a$$ount of the $ons$ien$e is $ear,'

Be not etra&agant )hen in offi$e if thou desirest

"n thy remo&a to see thy foes em#arrassed for im%utations against

thee.

Be thou %ure " #rother and in fear of no one.

Washermen #eat ony im%ure garments against stones.

0 said- '*he story of that fo resem#es thy $ase )ho )as #y some %ersons seen feeing )ith mu$h

trou#e and as+ed for the $ause of his fear re%ied- '0 ha&e heard that $ames are #eing for$ed into theser&i$e.' *hey said- '" foo )hat $onne$tion hast thou )ith a $ame and )hat resem#an$e does the

atter #ear to thee,' *he fo rejoined- '3ush. 0f the en&ious mae&oenty say that 0 am a $ame and 0

am $aught )ho )i $are to reease me or in&estigate my $ase, *i the antidote is #rought from Era

the sna+e7#itten %erson dies.' *hou art a &ery e$eent and honest man #ut enemies sit in am#ush and

$om%etitors in e&ery $orner. 0f they des$ri#e thy $hara$ter in a $ontrary manner thou )oudst #e

$aed u%on to gi&e e%anations to the %adshah and in$ur re%roof. Who )oud on that o$$asion

&enture to say anything, A$$ordingy 0 am of o%inion that thou shoudst retire to the domain of

$ontentment and a#andon as%irations to dominion. Wise men ha&e said-

'0n the sea there are $ountess gains

But if thou desirest safety it )i #e on the shore.'

6y friend ha&ing heard these )ords #e$ame angry made a )ry fa$e and #egan to re%roa$h me

saying- 'What suffi$ien$y of )isdom and maturity of intee$t is this, *he saying of %hioso%hers has

$ome true that friends are usefu in %rison #e$ause at ta#e a enemies a%%ear as friends.'

A$$ount him not a friend )ho +no$+s at the door of %ros%erity

Boasts of amity and $as himsef thy ado%ted #rother.

0 $onsider him a friend )ho ta+es a friend's hand

When he is in a distressed state and in %o&erty.

Seeing that he had thus $hanged and as$ri#ed my ad&i$e to an interested moti&e 0 %aid a &isit to the

21



=resident of the State Coun$i and trusting in my od a$uaintan$e )ith him e%ained the $ase of

my friend )hom he then a%%ointed to a sma %ost. 0n a short time my friend's affa#e #eha&iour and

good management ei$ited a%%ro#ation so that he )as %romoted to a higher offi$e. 0n this manner the

star of his good u$+ as$ended ti he rea$hed the 4enith of his as%irations #e$ame a $ourtier of his

majesty the sutan generay esteemed and trusted. 0 )as deighted )ith his safe %osition and said-

'Be not a%%rehensi&e of tanged affairs and +ee% not a #ro+en heart

Be$ause the s%ring of ife is in dar+ness.'

/o not grie&e " #rother in misery

Be$ause the 07mer$ifu has hidden fa&ours.

Sit not morose on a$$ount of the turns of time( for %atien$e

Athough #itter ne&ertheess %ossesses a s)eet fruit.

At that time 0 ha%%ened to go )ith a $om%any of friends on a journey to 6e++ah and on my return hemet me at a distan$e of t)o stages. 0 %er$ei&ed his out)ard a%%earan$e to #e distressed his $ostume

#eing that of der&ishes. 0 as+ed- 'What is the matter,' 3e re%ied- 'As thou hast %redi$ted some

%ersons en&ied me and #rought against me an a$$usation of treason. *he +ing ordered no inuiry on

its truthfuness and my od )e7)ishers )ith my +ind friends )ho faied to s%ea+ the )ord of truth

forgot our od intima$y.

'Seest thou not in front of the %ossessor of dignity

*hey %a$e the hands on their heads %raising him(

But if fortune's turn $auses his fa

A desire to =a$e their foot on his head.

'0n short 0 )as ti this )ee+ undergoing &arious %erse$utions )hen the ne)s of the %igrims'

a%%roa$h from 6e++ah arri&ed )hereon 0 )as reeased from my hea&y #onds and my hereditary

%ro%erty $onfis$ated.' 0 re%ied- '*hou hast not %aid attention to my remar+s )hen 0 said that the

ser&i$e of %adshahs is i+e a sea &oyage %rofita#e and dangerous so that thou )it either gain a

treasure or %erish in the )a&es.'

*he +hajah either ta+es god )ith #oth hands to the shore

"r the )a&es thro) him one day dead u%on the shore.

ot thin+ing it suita#e to s$rat$h the )ound of the der&ish more than 0 had aready done and so

s%rin+e sat thereon 0 $ontented mysef )ith re$iting the foo)ing t)o disti$hs-

;ne)est thou not that thou )it see thy feet in #onds

0f the ad&i$e of %eo%e $annot %enetrate into thy ear,

Again if thou $anst not #ear the %ain of the sting

=ut not thy finger into the hoe of a s$or%ion.

Story 1

Se&era men )ere in my $om%any )hose eterna a%%earan$e dis%ayed the adornment of %iety. A

22



great man )ho had $on$ei&ed a &ery good o%inion of these %ersons had assigned them a fied

ao)an$e #ut after one of them had done something un#e$oming the %rofession of der&ishes his

o%inion $hanged and they fe into disgra$e. 0 desired in some )ay to sa&e the ao)an$e of my

friends and intended to )ait u%on the great man #ut the door+ee%er )oud not ao) me to enter and

)as rude. 0 %ardoned him #e$ause it has #een said-

*he door of an amir &e4ier or sutan

0s not to #e a%%roa$hed )ithout an introdu$tion.

When a dog or a door+ee%er sees a stranger

*he former ta+es hod of his s+irt the atter of his $oar.

When those )ho $oud at any time a%%roa$h the %resen$e of the said great man #e$ame a)are of my

$ase they too+ me in )ith $om%iments and desired to assign me a high seat #ut 0 hum#y too+ a

o)er one and said-

'Ao) me )ho am the smaest sa&e*o sit in the ine of sa&es.'

3e said- 'Aah Aah )hat need is there for su$h )ords,'

0f thou sittest on my head and eyes

0 sha #e %oite for thou art %oite.

0n short 0 too+ a seat and )e $on&ersed on a &ariety of to%i$s ti the affair of the error of my

$om%anions turned u% and 0 said-

'What $rime has my ord seen )ho )as #ountifu

*o ma+e the sa&e des%i$a#e in his sight,

*o God that magnanimity and #ounty is surrendered

Whi$h #ehods the $rime #ut ne&ertheess #esto)s the #read.'

*he go&ernor #eing %eased )ith these )ords ordered the su%%ort of my friends to #e attended to as

#efore and the arrears to #e made good. 0 e%ressed my gratitude +issed the ground of o#edien$e

a%oogi4ed for my #odness and said-

'Sin$e the ;a'#ah has #e$ome the 9i#ah of )ants from distant ands

*he %eo%e go to &isit it from many farsangs.

*hou must suffer the im%ortunity of su$h as )e are

Be$ause no one thro)s stones on a tree )ithout fruit.'

Story 18

A roya %rin$e ha&ing inherited a#undant treasures from his father o%ened the hand of i#eraity and

satisfied his im%use of generosity #y a&ishing )ithout stint #enefits u%on the army and the

%o%uation.

A tray of ignum aoes )i emit no odour.

=a$e it on fire it )i sme i+e am#ergris.

23



0f thou )ishest to #e a$$ounted great #e i#era

Be$ause grain )i not gro) uness it #e so)n.

"ne of his $ourtiers #egan heedessy to admonish him saying- 'ormer +ings ha&e #y their eertions

a$$umuated this )eath and de%osited it for a usefu %ur%ose. Cease this mo&ement #e$ause

$aamities may arise in front and enemies in the rear. 0t is not meet for thee to #e he%ess at a time of

ne$essity.'

0f thou distri#utest a treasure to the mutitude

Ea$h househoder )i re$ei&e a grain of ri$e.

Why ta+est thou not from ea$h a #arey7$orn of si&er

*hat thou mayest a$$umuate e&ery day a treasure,

*he roya %rin$e turned a)ay his fa$e at these )ords and said- 'God the most high has made me the

%ossessor of this $ountry to enjoy and to #esto) not to guard and to retain.'

9arun )ho %ossessed forty treasure houses %erished.

ushir&an has not died #e$ause he o#tained a good re%utation.

Story 1F

0t is reated that )hist some game )as #eing roasted for ushir&an the just during a hunting %arty no

sat $oud #e found. A$$ordingy a #oy )as sent to an adjoining &iage to #ring some. ushir&an said-

'=ay for the sat est it shoud #e$ome a $ustom and the &iage #e ruined.' 3a&ing #een as+ed )hat

harm $oud arise from su$h a trifing demand ushir&an re%ied- '*he foundation of o%%ression )as

sma in the )ord #ut )hoe&er $ame augmented it so that it rea$hed its %resent magnitude.'

0f the +ing eats one a%%e from the garden of a su#je$t

3is sa&es )i %u him u% the tree from the roots.

or fi&e eggs )hi$h the sutan ao)s to #e ta+en #y for$e

*he %eo%e #eonging to his army )i %ut a thousand fo)s on the s%it.

A tyrant does not remain in the )ord

But the $urse on him a#ides for e&er.

Story 2

0 heard that an o%%ressor ruined the ha#itations of the su#je$ts to fi the treasury of the sutan

unmindfu of the maim of %hioso%hers )ho ha&e said- 'Who offends God the most high to gain the

heart of a $reated #eing God )i use that &ery #eing to #ring on his destru$tion in the )ord.'

ire #urning )ith )id rue )i not

Cause a smo+e i+e that of affi$ted hearts.

*he %rin$e of a animas is the ion and the meanest of #easts the ass. e&ertheess sages agree that

an ass )ho $arries oads is #etter than a ion )ho destroys men.

24



*he %oor don+ey though &oid of dis$ernment

0s ne&ertheess esteemed )hen he $arries a #urden.

"en and asses )ho $arry oads

Are su%erior to men o%%ressing man+ind.

When the +ing had o#tained information of some of the o%%ressor's misdeeds and #ad $ondu$t he had

him %ut on the ra$+ and sain #y &arious tortures.

*hou )it not o#tain the a%%ro#ation of the sutan

>ness thou see+est the good)i of his su#je$ts.

0f thou desirest God to $ondone thy transgressions

/o good to the %eo%e )hom God has $reated.

"ne of the o%%ressed )ho %assed near him said-

'ot e&eryone )ho %ossesses strength of arm and offi$e0n the sutanate may )ith im%unity %under the %eo%e.

A hard #one may #e made to %ass do)n the throat

But it )i tear the #ey )hen it sti$+s in the na&e.'

Story 21

0t is narrated that an o%%ressor of the %eo%e a sodier hit the head of a %ious man )ith a stone and

that the der&ish ha&ing no means of ta+ing &engean$e %reser&ed the stone ti the time arri&ed )hen

the +ing #e$ame angry )ith that sodier and im%risoned him in a )e. *hen the der&ish made his

a%%earan$e and dro%%ed the stone u%on his head. 3e as+ed- 'Who art thou and )hy hast thou hit myhead )ith this stone,' *he man re%ied- '0 am the same %erson )hom thou hast stru$+ on the head )ith

this stone on su$h and su$h a day.' *he sodier $ontinued- 'Where hast thou #een a this time,' *he

der&ish re%ied- '0 )as afraid of thy dignity #ut no) )hen 0 #ehed thee in the )e 0 made use of the

o%%ortunity.'

When thou seest an un)orthy man in good u$+

0nteigent men ha&e $hosen su#mission.

0f thou hast not a tearing shar% nai

0t )i #e #etter not to $ontend )ith the )i$+ed.

Who gras%s )ith his fist one )ho has an arm of stee

0njures ony his o)n %o)eress )rist.

Wait ti in$onstant fortune ties his hand.

*hen to %ease thy friends %i$+ out his #rains.

Story 22

A +ing )as su#je$t to a terri#e disease the mention of )hi$h is not san$tioned #y $ustom. *he tri#e

of @unani %hysi$ians agreed that this %ain $annot #e aayed e$e%t #y means of the #ie of a %erson

endued )ith $ertain uaities. "rders ha&ing #een issued to sear$h for an indi&idua of this +ind the

son of a andhoder )as dis$o&ered to %ossess the uaities mentioned #y the do$tors. *he +ing

summoned the father and mother of the #oy )hose $onsent he o#tained #y gi&ing them immense

)eath. *he a4i issued a judi$ia de$ree that it is %ermissi#e to shed the #ood of one su#je$t for the

25



safety of the +ing and the ee$utioner )as ready to say the #oy )ho then oo+ed hea&en)ards and

smied. *he +ing as+ed- 'What o$$asion for aughter is there in su$h a %osition,' *he youth re%ied- 'A

son oo+s to the affe$tion of his father and mother to #ring his $ase #efore the a4i and to as+ justi$e

from the %adshah. 0n the %resent instan$e ho)e&er the father and mother ha&e for the trash of this

)ord surrendered my #ood the a4i has issued a de$ree to +i me the sutan thin+s he )i re$o&er

his heath ony through my destru$tion and 0 see no other refuge #esides God the most high.'

*o )hom sha 0 $om%ain against thy hand

0f 0 am to see+ justi$e aso from thy hand,

*he sutan #e$ame trou#ed at these )ords tears rushed to his eyes and he said- '0t is #etter for me to

%erish than to shed inno$ent #ood.' 3e +issed the head and eyes of the youth %resented him )ith

#oundess )eath and it is said that the +ing aso re$o&ered his heath during that )ee+.

0 aso remem#er the disti$h re$ited

By the ee%hant7dri&er on the #an+ of the ie-'0f thou +ne)est the state of the ant under thy foot

0t is i+e thy o)n $ondition under the foot of an ee%hant.'

Story 2

"ne of the ser&ants of >mruais had fed #ut some men ha&ing #een sent in %ursuit #rought him

#a$+. *he &e4ier )ho #ore a grudge to)ards him desired him to #e +ied that the other ser&ants may

not imitate his eam%e. 3e %a$ed his head on the ground #efore >mruais and said-

'Whate&er #efas my head is a)fu )ith thy a%%ro#ation.What %ea $an the sa&e ad&an$e, *he senten$e is the master's.'

'But ha&ing #een nourished #y the #ounty of this dynasty 0 am oth that on the day of resurre$tion

thou shoudst #e %unished for ha&ing shed my #ood( #ut if thou desirest to +i me do so a$$ording

to the %ro&isions of the a).' 3e as+ed- '3o) am 0 to inter%ret it,' *he sa&e $ontinued- 'Ao) me to

+i the &e4ier and then ta+e my ife in retaiation so that 0 may #e +ied justy.' *he +ing smied and

as+ed the &e4ier )hat he thought of the matter. 3e re%ied- '6y ord gi&e freedom to this #astard as

an o#ation to the tom# of thy father for fear he )oud #ring trou#e on me i+e)ise. 0t is my faut for

not ha&ing ta+en a$$ount of the maim of %hioso%hers )ho ha&e said-

When thou fightest )ith a thro)er of $ods

*hou ignoranty #rea+est thy o)n head.

When thou shootest an arro) at the fa$e of a foe

Be on thy guard for thou art sitting as a target for him.'

Story 2

;ing u4an had a +hajah of no#e sentiments and of good as%e$t )ho ser&ed his $om%anions )hen

they )ere %resent and s%o+e )e of them )hen they )ere a#sent. 3e ha%%ened to do something

)here#y he in$urred the dis%easure of the +ing )ho infi$ted a fine on him and aso other)ise

%unished him. *he offi$ias of the +ing mindfu of the #enefits they had formery re$ei&ed from him

and #eing #y them %edged to gratitude treated him +indy )hist in their $ustody and ao)ed no one

26



to insut him.

0f thou desirest %ea$e from the foe )hene&er he

inds faut #ehind thy #a$+ %raise him to his fa$e.

A &i$ious feo)'s mouth must utter )ords.

0f thou desirest not #itter )ords s)eeten his mouth.

3e )as a#so&ed of some a$$usations #rought #y the +ing against him #ut retained in %rison for some.

Another +ing in those regions se$rety dis%at$hed a message to him to the %ur%ort that the so&ereigns

of that $ountry not +no)ing his e$eent uaities had dishonoured him #ut that if his %re$ious mind

Hmay Aah %ros%er the end of his affairsI )ere to oo+ in this dire$tion the utmost efforts )oud #e

made to %ease him #e$ause the no#es of this ream )oud $onsider it an honour to see him and are

)aiting for a re%y to this etter. *he +hajah )ho had re$ei&ed this information #eing a%%rehensi&e of

danger forth)ith )rote a #rief and suita#e ans)er on the #a$+ of the sheet of %a%er and sent it #a$+.

"ne ho)e&er of the +ing's $ourtiers )ho noti$ed )hat had ta+en %a$e re%orted to him that the

im%risoned +hajah )as in $orres%onden$e )ith the %rin$es of the adja$ent $ountry. *he +ing #e$ameangry and desired this affair to #e in&estigated. *he $ourier )as o&erta+en and de%ri&ed of the etter

the $ontents of )hi$h )ere found on %erusa to #e as foo)s- '*he good o%inion of high %ersonages is

more than their ser&ant's merit deser&es )ho is una#e to $om%y )ith the honour of re$e%tion )hi$h

they ha&e offered him #e$ause ha&ing #een nourished #y the #ounty of this dynasty he $annot

#e$ome unthan+fu to)ards his #enefa$tor in $onseuen$e of a sight $hange of sentiments of the

atter sin$e it is said-

3e )ho #esto)s e&ery moment fa&ours u%on thee

0s to #e %ardoned #y thee if on$e in his ife he injures thee.'

*he +ing a%%ro&ed of his gratitude #esto)ed u%on him a ro#e of honour ga&e him %resents and as+ed

his %ardon saying- '0 $ommitted a mista+e.' 3e re%ied- '6y ord it )as the de$ree of God the most

high that a misfortune shoud #efa this ser&ant #ut it )as #est that it shoud $ome from thy hands

)hi$h had formery #esto)ed fa&ours u%on him and %a$ed him under o#igations.'

0f %eo%e injure thee grie&e not

Be$ause neither rest nor grief $ome from the %eo%e.

Be a)are that the $ontrasts of friend and foe are from God

Be$ause the hearts of #oth are in his +ee%ing.

Athough the arro) is shot from the #o)

Wise men oo+ at the ar$her.

Story 25

"ne of the Ara# +ings ordered his offi$ias to dou#e the ao)an$e of a $ertain attendant #e$ause he

)as a)ays at the %aa$e e%e$ting orders )hie the other ser&ants )ere engaged in amusements and

s%orts nege$ting their duties. A %ious man )ho heard this remar+ed that high degrees at the $ourt of

hea&en are simiary #esto)ed u%on ser&ants-

0f a man $omes t)o mornings to ser&e the shah

3e )i on the third $ertainy oo+ #ene&oenty on him.

Sin$ere )orshi%%ers entertain the ho%e

27



*hat they )i not #e disa%%ointed at the threshod of God.

Su%eriority $onsists in attending to $ommands.

*he nege$t of $ommands eads to e$usion.

Who %ossesses the $riterion of righteousness

=a$es the head u%on the threshod.

Story 2D

0t is narrated that a tyrant )ho %ur$hased )ood from der&ishes for$i#y ga&e it a)ay to ri$h 7%eo%e

gratuitousy. A %ious man %assing near said-

'*hou art a sna+e stingest )hom thou #ehodest

"r an o)( )here&er thou sittest thou destroyest.

Athough thy o%%ression may %ass among us0t $annot %ass )ith the Lord )ho +no)s a se$rets.

"%%ress not the deni4ens of the earth

*hat their su%%i$ations may not %ass to hea&en.'

*he tyrant #eing dis%eased )ith these )ords got angry and too+ no noti$e of him unti one night

)hen fire from the +it$hen fe into the store of his )ood and #urnt a he %ossessed7transferring him

from his soft #ed to a hot mound of ashes7the same %ious man ha%%ened again to %ass and to hear him

saying to his friends- '0 do not +no) )hen$e this fire has faen into my house.' re%ied- 'rom the

smo+e of the hearts of der&ishes.'

Be)are of the smo+e of interna )ounds

Be$ause at ast an interna )ound )i #rea+ out.

or#ear to u%root one heart as ong as thou $anst

Be$ause one sigh may u%root a )ord.

>%on the diadem of ;ai+hosru the foo)ing %ie$e )as ins$ri#ed-

or ho) many years and ong i&es

Wi the %eo%e )a+ o&er my head on the ground,

As from hand to hand the +ingdom $ame to us

So it )i aso go to other hands.

Story 2

A man had attained great e$een$e in the art of )resting )ho +ne) three hundred and sity

euisite tri$+s and daiy ehi#ited something ne). 3e had a %arti$uar affe$tion for the #eauty of one

of his %u%is )hom he taught three hundred and fifty7nine tri$+s refraining to im%art to him ony one.

At ast the youth had attained su$h %o)er and s+i that no one )as a#e to $ontend )ith him and he

)ent so far as to say to the sutan- '0 ao) su%eriority to my tea$her on a$$ount of his age and from

gratitude for his instru$tion #ut my strength is not ess than his and my s+i eua.' *he +ing )ho )as

not %eased )ith this )ant of good manners ordered them to )reste )ith ea$h other and a s%a$ious

28



o$aity ha&ing #een fied u%on the %iars of state and $ourtiers of his majesty made their

a%%earan$e. *he youth made an onsaught i+e a mad ee%hant )ith an im%use )hi$h might ha&e

u%rooted a mountain of #rass from its %a$e #ut the master )ho +ne) that he )as in strength su%erior

to himsef atta$+ed him )ith the rare tri$+ he had reser&ed to himsef and )hi$h the youth )as una#e

to eude( )hereon the master ifting him u% )ith his hands from the ground raised him a#o&e his

head and then thre) him do)n. Shouts )ere raised #y the s%e$tators and the +ing ordered a ro#e of

honour )ith other %resents to #e gi&en to the tea$her #ut re%roa$hed and #amed the youth for ha&ing

attem%ted to $o%e )ith his instru$tor and su$$um#ed. 3e re%ied- '6y ord he has not &anuished me

#y his strength #ut there )as a sender %art in the art of )resting )hi$h he had )ithhed from me and

had today there#y got the u%%er hand of me.' *he master said- '0 had reser&ed it for su$h an o$$asion

#e$ause )ise men ha&e said- /o not gi&e so mu$h strength to thy friend that if he #e$omes thy foe

he may injure thee. 3ast thou not heard )hat the man said )ho suffered moestation from one )hom

he had edu$ated,

Either fideity itsef does not eist in this )ord

"r no#ody %ra$ti$es it in our time. o one had earnt ar$hery from me

Without at ast ma+ing a target of me.'

Story 28

A soitary der&ish )as sitting in a $orner of the desert )hen a %adshah ha%%ened to %ass #y #ut ease

ha&ing made him inde%endent he too+ no noti$e. *he sutan in $onformity )ith his roya dignity

#e$ame angry and said- '*his tri#e of rag7)earers resem#es #easts.' *he &e4ier said- '*he %adshah of

the surfa$e of the earth has %assed near thee. Why hast thou not %aid homage and sho)n good

manners,' 3e re%ied- '*e the +ing to oo+ for homage from a man )ho e%e$ts #enefits from himand aso that +ings eist for %rote$ting su#je$ts and su#je$ts not for o#eying +ings.'

*he %adshah is the guardian of the der&ish

Athough )eath is in the gory of his reign.

*he shee% is not for the she%herd

But the she%herd for the ser&i$e of it.

*oday thou #ehodest one man %ros%erous

And another )hose heart is )ounded #y strugging.

Wait a fe) days ti the earth $onsumes

*he #rain in the head of the &isionary.

/istin$tion #et)een +ing and sa&e has $eased

When the de$ree of fate o&erta+es them.

0f a man )ere to o%en the tom#s of the dead

3e )oud not distinguish a ri$h from a %oor man.

*he +ing )ho )as %eased )ith the sentiments of the der&ish as+ed him to ma+e a reuest #ut he

ans)ered that the ony one he had to ma+e )as to #e eft aone. *he +ing then as+ed for ad&i$e and

the der&ish said-

'>nderstand no) )hie )eath is in thy hand

*hat fortune and +ingdom )i ea&e thy hand.'

29



Story 2F

A &e4ier %aid a &isit to unun 6isri and as+ed for his fa&our saying- '0 am day and night engaged in

the ser&i$e of the sutan and ho%ing to #e re)arded #ut ne&ertheess dread to #e %unished #y him.'

unun )e%t and said- '3ad 0 feared God the great and gorious as thou fearest the sutan 0 )oud #e

one of the num#er of the righteous.'

0f there )ere no ho%e of rest and trou#e

*he foot of the der&ish )oud #e u%on the s%here

And if the &e4ier feared God

Li+e the +ing he )oud #e +ing.

Story

A %adshah ha&ing issued orders to +i an inno$ent man the atter said- '" +ing see+ not thine o)ninjury on a$$ount of the anger thou #earest to)ards me.' 3e as+ed- '3o),' *he man re%ied- '*his

%unishment )i a#ide )ith me one moment #ut the sin of it for e&er )ith thee.'

*he %eriod of ife has %assed a)ay i+e the desert )ind.

Bitter and s)eet uginess and #eauty ha&e %assed a)ay.

*he tyrant fanded he had done injury to us.

0t remained on his ne$+ and %assed a)ay from us.

*his admonition ha&ing ta+en effe$t the +ing s%ared his #ood.

Story 1

*he &e4iers of ushir&an ha%%ened to dis$uss an im%ortant affair of state ea$h gi&ing his o%inion

a$$ording to his +no)edge. *he +ing i+e)ise ga&e his o%inion and Bar4a$humihr $on$urred )ith it.

After)ards the &e4iers se$rety as+ed him- 'What su%eriority hast thou dis$o&ered in the o%inion of

the +ing a#o&e so many other refe$tions of )ise men,' *he %hioso%her re%ied- 'Sin$e the

termination of the affair is un+no)n and it de%ends u%on the )i of God )hether the o%inion of the

others )i turn out right or )rong it )as #etter to agree )ith the o%inion of the +ing so that if it

shoud turn out to ha&e #een )rong )e may on a$$ount of ha&ing foo)ed it remain free from

#ame.'

*o %roffer an o%inion $ontrary to the +ing's

6eans to )ash the hands in one's o)n #ood.

Shoud he in %ain day say it is night

0t is meet to shout- 'Lo the moon and the %eiads!'

Story 2

An im%ostor arranged his hair in a %e$uiar fashion %retended to #e a des$endant of A'i and entered

the to)n )ith a $ara&an from the 3eja4 saying that he had just arri&ed from a %igrimage. 3e aso

%resented an eegy to the +ing aeging that he had himsef $om%osed it. "ne of the +ing's $ourtiers

)ho had that year returned from a journey said- '0 ha&e seen him at Bosrah on the A4hah festi&a then

30



ho) $an he #e a 3aji,' Another said- '3is father )as a Christian at 6eitah. 3o) $an he #e a

des$endant of A'i, And his %oetry has #een found in the /i&an of An&ari.' *he +ing ordered him to #e

#eaten and e%eed the $ountry for his great menda$ity. *he man said- '" ord of the surfa$e of the

earth 0 sha say something more and if it is not true 0 sha deser&e any %unishment )hi$h thou

mayest de$ree.' 3e as+ed- 'What is it,'

When a stranger #rings #efore thee #uttermi+

*)o measures of it )i #e )ater and a s%oonfu sour mi+.

0f thou hast heard heedess ta+ from thy sa&e #e not offended.

A man )ho has seen the )ord utters mu$h fasehood.

*he +ing aughed tod him that a his ife he had not uttered more true )ords than these and ordered

the %resent )hi$h the feo) ho%ed for to #e got ready.

Story

"ne of the &e4iers of a +ing treated his su#ordinates )ith +indness and sought the good)i of his

$oeagues. "n$e he ha%%ened to #e $aed to a$$ount #y the +ing for something he had done )hereon

his $oeagues endea&oured to effe$t his i#eration. *hose )ho guarded him treated him enienty and

the great men e%atiated u%on his good $hara$ter to the %adshah ti he renoun$ed a further inuiry.

A %ious man )ho too+ $ogni4an$e of this affair said-

'0n order to gain the hearts of friends

Se e&en the garden of thy father.

0n order to #oi the %ot of )e7)ishers

Burn e&en a the furniture of the house./o good e&en to a mae&oent feo).

*ie u% the mouth of the dog )ith a so%.'

Story

"ne of the sons of 3arun7ur7<ashid )ent to his father and angriy informed him that the son of an

offi$ia had used insuting e%ressions to)ards him )hereon 3arun as+ed his $ourtiers )hat reuita

he deser&ed. "ne of them %ro%osed $a%ita %unishment another the am%utation of the tongue )hist a

third re$ommended fine and im%risonment. *hen 3arun said- '"h my son it )oud #e generous to

%ardon him #ut if thou art una#e to do so use i+e)ise insuting e%ressions $on$erning his mother(

not ho)e&er to su$h a degree as to e$eed the #ounds of &engean$e #e$ause in that $ase the )rong

)i #e on thy side.'

3e is not re%uted a man #y the )ise

Who $ontends )ith a furious ee%hant

But he is a man in reaity

Who )hen angry s%ea+s not ide )ords.

An i7humoured feo) insuted a man

Who %atienty #ore it saying- '" ho%efu youth

0 am )orse than thou s%ea+est of me

or 0 am more $ons$ious of my fauts than thou.'

31



Story 5

0 )as sitting in a &esse )ith a $om%any of great men )hen a #oat )hi$h $ontained t)o #rothers

ha%%ened to sin+ near us. "ne of the great men %romised a hundred dinars to a saior if he $oud sa&e

them #oth. Whist ho)e&er the saior )as %uing out one the other %erished. 0 said- '3e had no onger

to i&e and therefore deay too+ %a$e in res$uing him.' *he saior smied and re%ied- 'What thou hast

said is $ertain. 6oreo&er 0 %referred to sa&e this one #e$ause )hen 0 on$e7ha%%ened to ag #ehind in

the desert he seated me on his $ame )hereas 0 had re$ei&ed a )hi%%ing #y the hands of the other.

When 0 )as a #oy 0 re$ited- 3e )ho doth right doth it to his o)n sou and he )ho doth e&i doth it

against the same.'

As ong as thou $anst s$rat$h the interior of no one

Be$ause there are thorns on this road.

Be he%fu in the affairs of a der&ish

Be$ause thou aso hast affairs.

Story D

*here )ere t)o #rothers- one of them in the ser&i$e of the sutan and the other gaining his i&eihood

#y the effort of his arm. *he )eathy man on$e as+ed his destitute #rother )hy he did not ser&e the

sutan in order to #e dei&ered from the hardshi% of a#ouring. 3e re%ied- 'Why a#ourest thou not to

#e dei&ered from the #aseness of ser&i$e #e$ause %hioso%hers ha&e said that it is #etter to eat #arey

#read and to sit than to gird onesef )ith a goden #et and to stand in ser&i$e,'

*o ea&en mortar of ui$+ime )ith the hand0s #etter than to hod them on the #reast #efore the amir.

6y %re$ious ife )as s%ent in $onsidering

What 0 am to eat in summer and )ear in )inter.

" igno#e #ey #e satisfied )ith one #read

<ather than to #end the #a$+ in ser&i$e.

Story

Someone had #rought information to ushir&an the just that an enemy of his had #een remo&ed from

this )ord #y God the most high. 3e as+ed- '3ast thou heard anything a#out his intending to s%are

me,'

*here is no o$$asion for our rejoi$ing at a foe's death

Be$ause our o)n ife )i aso not ast for e&er.

Story 8

A $om%any of %hioso%hers )ere dis$ussing a su#je$t in the %aa$e of ;esra and Bar4a$humihr

ha&ing remained sient they as+ed him )hy he too+ no share in the de#ate. 3e re%ied- ':e4iers are

i+e %hysi$ians and the atter gi&e medi$ine to the si$+ ony #ut as 0 %er$ei&e that your o%inions are in

$onformity )ith %ro%riety 0 ha&e nothing to say a#out them.'

32



When an affair su$$eeds )ithout my ide ta+

0t is not meet for me to s%ea+ thereon.

But if 0 see a #ind man near a )e

0t is a $rime for me to remain sient.

Story F

3arun7ur7<ashid said )hen the $ountry of Egy%t )as surrendered to him- '0n $ontrast to the re#e )ho

had in his arrogan$e of #eing so&ereign of Egy%t %retended to #e God 0 sha #esto) this $ountry

u%on the meanest of my sa&es.' 3e had a stu%id negro ;hosai# #y name )hom he made go&ernor of

Egy%t #ut his intee$t and dis$rimination )ere so imited that )hen the tri#e of Egy%tian

agri$uturists $om%ained and stated that they had so)n $otton aong the #an+s of the ie and that an

untimey rain had destroyed it he re%ied- '@ou ought to ha&e so)n )oo.' A %ious man heard this and

said-

'0f i&eihood )ere in$reased #y +no)edge

one )oud #e more needy than the ignorant.

e&ertheess the ignorant re$ei&e a i&eihood

At )hi$h the earned stand aghast.

*he u$+ of )eath $onsists not in s+i

But ony in the aid of hea&en.

0t ha%%ens in the )ord that many

Siy men are honoured and sages des%ised.

0f an a$hemist has died in grief and misery

A foo dis$o&ered a treasure amidst ruins.'

Story

A Chinese sa&e7gir ha&ing #een #rought to a +ing he desired to ha&e $onne$tion )ith her )hist in a

state of intoi$ation #ut as she re%eed him he #e$ame angry and %resented her to one of his negro7

sa&es )hose u%%er i% )as higher than his nostris )hist the o)er one hung do)n to his ne$+. 3is

stature )as su$h that the demon Sa+hrah )oud ha&e #een %ut to fight and a fountain of %it$h emitted

sten$h from his arm%its.

*hou )oudst say that ti the resurre$tion uginess

0s his stam% as that of ?ose%h )as #eauty.

3is %erson )as of so )ret$hed an as%e$t

*hat his uginess sur%assed a des$ri%tion

And from his arm%its )e ta+e refuge )ith Aah

*hey )ere i+e a $or%se in the month of 6erdad.

At that time the desire of the negro )as i#idinous his ust o&er$ame him his o&e ea%t u% and he

too+ off the sea of her &irginity. 0n the morning the +ing sought the gir #ut $oud not find her and

ha&ing o#tained information of )hat had ta+en %a$e he #e$ame angry ordered the negro and the gir

to #e firmy tied together #y their hands and feet and to #e thro)n from the ofty #uiding into a dit$h.

"ne of the &e4iers %a$ing the fa$e of inter$ession u%on the ground %eaded that there )as no guit in

the negro sin$e a the ser&ants of his majesty usuay re$ei&e %resents and #enefits as he had re$ei&ed

33



the gir. *he +ing rejoined- 'What )oud it ha&e mattered if he had for one night deayed his

enjoyment,' 3e said- '6y ord hast thou not heard that it )as said-

When a man )ith a #urning thirst rea$hes a im%id s%ring

*hin+ not that he )i $are for a mad ee%hant.

When a hungry infide is in an em%ty house at ta#e

<eason )i not #eie&e that he $ares for the <ama4an.'

*he +ing #eing %eased )ith this say e$aimed- '0 ma+e thee a %resent of the negro. What am 0 to

do )ith the gir,' 3e re%ied- 'Gi&e the gir to the negro #e$ause that haf is aso due to a dog of )hi$h

he has $onsumed the other haf.'

*he thirsty heart does not )ish for im%id )ater

3af of )hi$h )as $onsumed #y a fetid mouth.

3o) $an the +ing's hand again tou$hAn orange after it has faen into dung,

Story 1

0s+andur <umi ha&ing #een as+ed ho) he had $onuered the east and the )est $onsidering that the

treasures territories reigns and armies of former +ings e$eeded his o)n and they had not gained

su$h a &i$tory re%ied- 'Whate&er $ountry 0 $onuered #y the aid of God the most high 0 a#stained

from distressing its %o%uation and s%o+e nothing #ut good of the +ing.'

*he inteigent )i not $a him greatWho s%ea+s i of the great.

A this is nothing as it %asses a)ay-

*hrone and u$+ $ommand and %rohi#ition ta+ing and gi&ing.

0njure not the name of those )ho ha&e %assed a)ay

0n order that thy o)n name may su#sist.

34



Chapter II

The Morals of (er&ishes

Story 1

"ne of the great de&otees ha&ing #een as+ed a#out his o%inion $on$erning a hermit )hom others had

$ensured in their $on&ersation he re%ied- '0 do not see any eterna #emishes on him and do not

+no) of interna ones.'

Whomsoe&er thou seest in a reigious ha#it

Consider him to #e a reigious and good man

And if thou +no)est not his interna $ondition

What #usiness has the muhtasi# inside the house,

Story 2

0 sa) a der&ish )ho %a$ed his head u%on the threshod of the ;a'#ah groaned and said- '" forgi&ing

mer$ifu one thou +no)est )hat an unrighteous ignorant man $an offer to thee.'

0 ha&e $ra&ed %ardon for the defi$ien$y of my ser&i$e

Be$ause 0 $an im%ore no re)ard for my o#edien$e.

Sinners re%ent of their transgressions.

Arifs as+ forgi&eness for their im%erfe$t )orshi%.

/e&otees desire a re)ard for their o#edien$e and mer$hants the %ri$e of their )ares #ut 0 )ho am a

)orshi%%er ha&e #rought ho%e and not o#edien$e. 0 ha&e $ome to #eg and not to trade. /ea )ith me

as thou deemest fit.

Whether thou +iest me or forgi&est my $rime

my fa$e and head are on thy threshod.

A sa&e has nothing to $ommand( )hate&er thou $ommandest 0 o#ey.

0 sa) a mendi$ant at the door of the ;a'#ah

Who said this and )e%t a#undanty-

'0 as+ not for the a$$e%tan$e of my ser&i$e

But for dra)ing the %en of %ardon o&er my sins.'

Story

0 sa) A'#d7u79ader Gaiani in the san$tuary of the ;a'#ah )ith his fa$e on the %e##es and saying- '"

ord %ardon my sins and if 0 deser&e %unishment $ause me to arise #ind on the day of resurre$tion

that 0 may not #e ashamed in the sight of the righteous.'

With my fa$e on the earth of he%essness0 say E&ery morning as soon as 0 #e$ome $ons$ious-

35

http://classics.mit.edu/Sadi/gulistan.4.iii.html



" thou )hom 0 sha ne&er forget

Wit thou at a remem#er thy sa&e,

Story

A thief %aid a &isit to the house of a %ious man #ut athough he sought a great dea found nothing and

)as mu$h grie&ed. *he %ious man )ho +ne) this thre) the #an+et u%on )hi$h he had #een

see%ing into the )ay of the thief that he might not go a)ay disa%%ointed.

0 heard that men of the )ay of God

3a&e not distressed the hearts of enemies.

3o) $anst thou attain that dignity

Who uarreest and )agest )ar against friends,

*he friendshi% of %ure men )hether in thy %resen$e or a#sen$e is not su$h as Wi find faut #ehind

thy #a$+ and is ready to die for thee #efore thy fa$e.

0n thy %resen$e gente i+e a am#

0n thy a#sen$e i+e a man7de&ouring )of.

Who #rings the fauts of another to thee and enumerates them

Wi undou#tedy $arry thy fauts to others.

Story 5

Se&era tra&eers )ere on a journey together and euay sharing ea$h other's trou#es and $omforts. 0desired to a$$om%any them #ut they )oud not agree. *hen 0 said- '0t is foreign to the manners of great

men to turn a)ay the fa$e from the $om%any of the %oor and so de%ri&e themse&es of the ad&antage

they might deri&e therefrom #e$ause 0 for one $onsider mysef suffi$ienty strong and energeti$ to #e

of ser&i$e to men and not an en$um#ran$e. Athough 0 am not riding on a #east 0 sha aid you in

$arrying #an+ets.' "ne of them said- '/o not #e grie&ed at the )ords thou hast heard #e$ause some

days ago a thief in the guise of a der&ish arri&ed and joined our $om%any.'

3o) $an %eo%e +no) )ho is in the dress,

*he )riter is a)are )hat the #oo+ $ontains.

As the state of der&ishes is safe they entertained no sus%i$ion a#out him and re$ei&ed him as a friend.

*he out)ard state of Arifs is the %at$hed dress.

0t suffi$es as a dis%ay to the fa$e of the %eo%e.

Stri&e #y thy a$ts to #e good and )ear anything thou istest.

=a$e a $ro)n on thy head and a fag on thy #a$+.

*he a#andoning of the )ord of ust and of desire

0s san$tity not the a#andonment of the ro#e ony.

0t is ne$essary to sho) manhood in the fight.

"f )hat %rofit are )ea%ons of )ar to an herma%hrodite,

36



We tra&eed one day ti the night set in during )hi$h )e se%t near a fort and the gra$eess thief

ta+ing u% the )ater7%ot of a $om%anion %retending to go for an a#ution de%arted for %under.

A %retended saint )ho )ears the der&ish gar#

3as made of the ;a'#ah's ro#es the $o&ering of an ass.

After disa%%earing from the sight of the der&ishes he )ent to a to)er from )hi$h he stoe a $as+et

and )hen the day da)ned the dar+7hearted )ret$h had aready %rogressed a $onsidera#e distan$e. 0n

the morning the guitess see%ing $om%anions )ere a ta+en to the fort and thro)n into %rison. rom

that date )e renoun$ed $om%anionshi% and too+ the road of soitude a$$ording to the maim- Safety

is in soitude.

When one of a tri#e has done a fooish thing

o honour is eft either to the o) or the high.

Seest thou not ho) one o of the %asturage/efies a oen of the &iage,

0 re%ied- '*han+s #e to the God of majesty and gory 0 ha&e not #een e$uded from the ad&antages

enjoyed #y der&ishes athough 0 ha&e se%arated mysef from their so$iety. 0 ha&e %rofited #y )hat

thou hast narrated to me and this admonition )i #e of use through ife to %ersons i+e me.'

or one rude feo) in the assem#y

*he heart of inteigent men is mu$h grie&ed.

0f a tan+ #e fied )ith rose7)ater

A dog faing into it %outes the )hoe.

Story D

A hermit #eing the guest of a %adshah ate ess than he )ished )hen sitting at dinner and )hen he

rose for %rayers he %roonged them more than )as his )ont in order to enhan$e the o%inion

entertained #y the %adshah of his %iety.

" Ara# of the desert 0 fear thou )it not rea$h the ;a'#ah

Be$ause the road on )hi$h thou tra&eest eads to *ur+estan.

When he returned to his o)n house he desired the ta#e to #e aid out for eating. 3e had an inteigent

son )ho said- 'ather hast thou not eaten anything at the re%ast of the sutan,' 3e re%ied- '0 ha&e not

eaten anything to ser&e a %ur%ose.' *he #oy said- '*hen i+e)ise say thy %rayers again as thou hast not

done anything to ser&e that %ur%ose.'

" thou )ho sho)est &irtues on the %ams of the hand

But $on$eaest thy errors under the arm%it

What )it thou %ur$hase " &ain7gorious foo

"n the day of distress )ith $ounterfeit si&er,

Story

37



0 remem#er #eing in my $hidhood %ious rising in the night addi$ted to de&otion and a#stinen$e.

"ne night 0 )as sitting )ith my father remaining a)a+e and hoding the #eo&ed 9uran in my a%

)hist the %eo%e around us )ere asee%. 0 said- 'ot one of these %ersons ifts u% his head or ma+es a

genufe$tion. *hey are as fast asee% as if they )ere dead.' 3e re%ied- '/aring of thy father )oud

that thou )ert aso asee% rather than dis%araging %eo%e.'

*he %retender sees no one #ut himsef

Be$ause he has the &ei of $on$eit in front.

0f he )ere endo)ed )ith a God7dis$erning eye

3e )oud see that no one is )ea+er than himsef.

Story 8

A great man )as %raised in an assem#y and his good uaities #eing etoed he raised his head and

said- '0 am su$h as 0 +no) mysef to #e.'

" thou )ho re$+onest my &irtues refrainest from gi&ing me %ain

*hese are my o%en and thou +no)est not my hidden uaities.

6y %erson is to the eyes of the )ord of good as%e$t

But my interna )i$+edness ma+es me droo% my head )ith shame.

*he %ea$o$+ is for his #eauteous $oours #y the %eo%e

=raised )hist he is ashamed of his ugy feet.

Story F

"ne of the de&otees of 6ount Le#anon )hose %iety )as famed in the Ara# $ountry and his mira$es

)e +no)n entered the $athedra mosue of /amas$us and )as %erforming his %urifi$atory a#ution

on the edge of a tan+ )hen his feet si%%ed and he fe into the reser&oir #ut sa&ed himsef )ith great

trou#e. After the $ongregation had finished their %rayers one of his $om%anions said- '0 ha&e a

diffi$uty.' 3e as+ed- 'What is it,' 3e $ontinued- '0 remem#er that the shei+h )a+ed on the surfa$e of

the Afri$an sea )ithout his feet getting )etted and today he neary %erished in this %atry )ater )hi$h

is not dee%er than a man's stature. What reason is there in this,' *he shei+h droo%ed his head into the

#osom of meditation and said after a ong %ause- '3ast thou not heard that the %rin$e of the )ord

6uhammad the $hosen u%on )hom #e the #enedi$tion of Aah and %ea$e has said- 0 ha&e time )ith

Aah during )hi$h no $heru#im nor ins%ired %ro%het is eua to me,' But he did not say that su$h

)as a)ays the $ase. *he time auded to )as )hen Ga#rie or 6i$hae ins%ired him )hist on other

o$$asions he )as satisfied )ith the so$iety of 3afsah and aina#. *he &isions of the righteous one are

#et)een #riian$y and o#s$urity.

*hou sho)est thy $ountenan$e and then hidest it

Enhan$ing thy &aue and augmenting our desire.

0 #ehod )hom 0 o&e )ithout an inter&ention.

*hen a tran$e #efas me( 0 ose the road(

0t +indes fire then uen$hes it )ith a s%rin+ing sho)er.

Wherefore thou seest me #urning and dro)ning.

38



Story 1

"ne as+ed the man )ho had ost his son-

'" no#e and inteigent od man!

As thou hast smet the odour of his garment from Egy%t

Why hast thou not seen him in the )e of Canaan,'

3e re%ied-

'6y state is that of ea%ing ightning.

"ne moment it a%%ears and at another &anishes.

0 am sometimes sitting in high hea&en.

Sometimes 0 $annot see the #a$+ of my foot.

Were a der&ish a)ays to remain in that state

3e )oud not $are for the t)o )ords.'

Story 11

0 s%o+e in the $athedra mosue of /amas$us a fe) )ords #y )ay of a sermon #ut to a $ongregation

)hose hearts )ere )ithered and dead not ha&ing tra&eed from the road of the )ord of form the

%hysi$a to the )ord of meaning the mora )ord. 0 %er$ei&ed that my )ords too+ no effe$t and that

#urning fire does not +inde moist )ood. 0 )as sorry for instru$ting #rutes and hoding forth a mirror

in a o$aity of #ind %eo%e. 0 had ho)e&er o%ened the door of meaning and )as gi&ing a ong

e%anation of the &erse We are nearer unto 3im than the juguar &ein ti 0 said-

'*he riend is nearer to me than my sef

But it is more strange that 0 am far from him.

What am 0 to do, *o )hom $an it #e said that he

0s in my arms #ut 0 am eied from him.'

0 had intoi$ated mysef )ith the )ine of these sentiments hoding the remnant of the $u% of the

sermon in my hand )hen a tra&eer ha%%ened to %ass near the edge of the assem#y and the ast turn

of the $ir$uating $u% made su$h an im%ression u%on him that he shouted and the others joined him

)ho #egan to roar )hist the ra) %ortion of the $ongregation #e$ame tur#uent. Whereon 0 said-

'=raise #e to Aah! *hose )ho are far a)ay #ut inteigent are in the %resen$e of Aah and those )ho

are near #ut #ind are distant.'

When the hearer understands not the meaning of )ords

/o not oo+ for the effe$t of the orator's for$e

But raise an etensi&e fied of desire

*hat the eouent man may stri+e the #a of effe$t.

Story 12

"ne night 0 had in the desert of 6e++ah #e$ome so )ea+ from )ant of see% that 0 )as una#e to )a+

and aying mysef do)n tod the $ame dri&er to et me aone.

39



3o) far $an the foot of a )ret$hed %edestrian go

When a dromedary gets distressed #y its oad,

Whist the #ody of a fat man #e$omes ean

A )ea+ man )i #e dead of ehaustion.

3e re%ied- '" #rother the san$tuary is in front of us and #rigands in the rear. 0f thou goest thou )it

%ros%er. 0f thou see%est thou )it die.'

0t is %easant to see% under an a$a$ia on the desert road

But aas! thou must #id fare)e to ife on the night of de%arture.

Story 1

0 sa) a hoy man on the seashore )ho had #een )ounded #y a tiger. o medi$ine $oud reie&e his

%ain( he suffered mu$h #ut he ne&ertheess $onstanty than+ed God the most high saying- '=raise #e to

Aah that 0 ha&e faen into a $aamity and not into sin.'

0f that #eo&ed riend de$rees me to #e sain

0 sha not say that moment that 0 grie&e for ife

"r say- What faut has thy sa&e $ommitted,

6y grief )i #e for ha&ing offended thee.

Story 1

A der&ish )ho had faen into )ant stoe a #an+et from the house of a friend. *he judge ordered his

hand to #e am%utated #ut the o)ner of the #an+et inter$eded saying that he had $ondoned the faut.*he judge rejoined- '*hy inter$ession $annot %ersuade me to nege$t the %ro&ision of the a).' *he

man $ontinued- '*hou hast s%o+en the truth #ut am%utation is not a%%i$a#e to a %erson )ho steas

some %ro%erty dedi$ated to %ious uses. 6ore o&er a #eggar %ossesses nothing and )hate&er #eongs to

a der&ish is dedi$ated to the use of the needy.' *hereon the judge reeased the $u%rit saying- '*he

)ord must indeed ha&e #e$ome too narro) for thee that thou hast $ommitted no theft e$e%t from the

house of su$h a friend.' 3e re%ied- '3ast thou not heard the saying- S)ee% out the house of friends

and do not +no$+ at the door of foes.'

0f thou sin+est in a $aamity #e not he%ess.

Stri% thy foes of their s+ins and thy friends of their fur7$oats.

Story 15

A %adshah meeting a hoy man as+ed him )hether he did not sometimes remem#er him for the

%ur%ose of getting %resents. 3e re%ied- '@es 0 do )hene&er 0 forget God.'

Whom 3e dri&es from his door runs e&ery)here.

Whom 3e $as runs to no one's door.

Story 1D

A %ious man sa) in a dream a %adshah in %aradise and a de&otee in he )hereon he as+ed for the

40



reason of the former's eatation and the atter's degradation saying that he had imagined the $ontrary

ought to #e the $ase. 3e re$ei&ed the foo)ing ans)er- '*he %adshah had for the o&e he #ore to

der&ishes #een re)arded )ith %aradise and the de&otee had for asso$iating )ith %adshahs #een

%unished in he.'

"f )hat use is thy fro$+ rosary and %at$hed dress,

;ee% thysef free from des%i$a#e %ra$ti$es.

*hen thou )it ha&e no need of a $a% of ea&es.

3a&e the uaities of a der&ish and )ear a *atar $a%.

Story 1

A #areheaded and #arefooted %edestrian )ho had arri&ed from ;ufah )ith the 3eja47$ara&an of

%igrims joined us strutted a#out and re$ited-

'0 am neither riding a $ame nor under a oad i+e a $ame.0 am neither a ord of su#je$ts nor the sa&e of a %otentate.

Grief for the %resent or distress for the %ast does not

trou#e me.

0 dra) my #reath in $omfort and thus s%end my ife.'

A $ame7rider shouted to him- '" der&ish )here art thou going, <eturn for thou )it e%ire from

hardshi%s.' 3e %aid no attention #ut entered the desert and mar$hed. When )e rea$hed the station at

the %am7gro&e of 6ahmud the ri$h man )as on the %oint of death and the der&ish a%%roa$hing his

%io) said- 'We ha&e not e%ired from hardshi% #ut thou hast died on a dromedary.'

A man )e%t a night near the head of a %atient.

When the day da)ned he died and the %atient re&i&ed.

6any a feet $harger had faen dead

Whie a ame ass rea$hed the station ai&e.

"ften heathy %ersons )ere in the soi

Buried and the )ounded did not die.

Story 18

A hermit ha&ing #een in&ited #y a %adshah $on$uded that if he )ere to ta+e some medi$ine to ma+e

himsef )ea+ he might %erha%s enhan$e the o%inion of the %adshah regarding his merits. But it is

reated that the medi$ine )as etha so that )hen he %artoo+ of it he died.

Who a%%eared to thee a marro) i+e a %ista$hio

Was #ut s+in u%on s+in i+e an onion.

/e&otees )ith their fa$e to)ards the )ord

Say their %rayers )ith their #a$+ to the 9i#ah.

When a )orshi%%er $as u%on his God

3e must +no) no one #esides God.

Story 1F

41



A $ara&an ha&ing #een %undered in the @unan $ountry and de%ri&ed of #oundess )eath the

mer$hants )e%t and amented #esee$hing God and the %ro%het to inter$ede for them )ith the ro##ers

#ut ineffe$tuay.

When a dar+7minded ro##er is &i$torious

What $ares he for the )ee%ing of the $ara&an,

Loman the %hioso%her #eing among the %eo%e of the $ara&an one of them as+ed him to s%ea+ a

fe) )ords of )isdom and ad&i$e to the ro##ers so that they might %erha%s return some of the %ro%erty

they had %undered #e$ause the oss of so mu$h )eath )oud #e amenta#e. Loman re%ied- '0t

)oud #e amenta#e to utter one )ord of )isdom to them.'

*he rust )hi$h has eaten into iron

Cannot #e remo&ed #y %oishing.

"f )hat use is %rea$hing to a #a$+ heart,An iron nai $annot #e dri&en into a ro$+.

3e% the distressed in the day of %ros%erity

Be$ause $omforting the %oor a&erts e&i from thysef.

When a mendi$ant im%ores thee for a thing

Gi&e it or ese an o%%ressor may ta+e it #y for$e.

Story 2

/es%ite the a#undant admonitions of the most iustrious Shei+h A#ufaraj Ben ?u4i to shun musi$aentertainments and to %refer soitude and retirement the #udding of my youth o&er$ame me my

sensua desires )ere e$ited so that una#e to resist them 0 )a+ed some ste%s $ontrary to the o%inion

of my tutor enjoying mysef in musi$a amusements and $on&i&ia meetings. When the ad&i$e of my

shei+h o$$urred to my mind 0 said-

'0f the a4i )ere sitting )ith us he )oud $a% his hands.

0f the muhtasi# )ere #i##ing )ine he )oud e$use a drun+ard.'

*hus 0 i&ed ti 0 %aid one night a &isit to an assem#y of %eo%e in )hi$h 0 sa) a musi$ian.

*hou )oudst ha&e said he is tearing u% the &ita artery

)ith his fidde7#o).

3is &oi$e )as more un%easant than the )aiing of one )ho

ost his father.

*he audien$e no) sto%%ed their ears )ith their fingers and no) %ut them on their i%s to sien$e him.

We #e$ame e$stati$ #y the sounds of %easing songs #ut thou art su$h a singer that )hen thou art

sient )e are %eased.

o one fees %eased #y thy %erforman$e

E$e%t at the time of de%arture )hen thou %easest.

42



When that har%er #egan to sing

0 said to the host- 'or God's sa+e

=ut mer$ury in my ear that 0 may not hear

"r o%en the door that 0 may go a)ay.'

0n short 0 tried to %ease my friends and su$$eeded after a $onsidera#e strugge in s%ending the )hoe

night there.

*he mue44in shouted the $a to %rayers out of time

ot +no)ing ho) mu$h of the night had ea%sed.

As+ the ength of the night from my eyeids

or see% did not enter my eyes one moment.

0n the morning 0 too+ my tur#an from my head )ith one dinar from my #et #y )ay of gratifi$ation

and %a$ed them #efore the musi$ian )hom 0 em#ra$ed and than+ed. 6y friends )ho sa) that my

a%%re$iation of his merits )as unusua attri#uted it to the e&ity of my intee$t and aughed se$rety."ne of them ho)e&er engthened out his tongue of o#je$tion and #egan to re%roa$h me saying that 0

had $ommitted an a$t re%ugnant to inteigent men #y #esto)ing a %ortion of my %rofessiona dress

u%on a musi$ian )ho had a his ife not a dirhem aid u%on the %am of his hand nor fiings of si&er

or of god %a$ed on his drum.

A musi$ian! ar #e he from this ha%%y a#ode.

o one e&er sa) him t)i$e in the same %a$e.

As soon as the shout rose from his mouth

*he hair on the #odies of the %eo%e stood on end.

*he fo)s of the house terrified #y him fe) a)ayWhist he distra$ted our senses and tore his throat.

0 said- '0t )i #e %ro%er to shorten the tongue of o#je$tion #e$ause his taent has #e$ome e&ident to

me.' 3e then as+ed me to e%ain the uaity of it in order to inform the $om%any so that a might

a%oogi4e for the jo+es they had $ra$+ed a#out me. 0 re%ied- 'Athough my shei+h had often tod me

to a#andon musi$a entertainments and had gi&en me a#undant ad&i$e 0 did not mind it. *his night

my %ro%itious horos$o%e and my august u$+ ha&e guided me to this %a$e )here 0 ha&e on hearing

the %erforman$e of this musi$ian re%ented and &o)ed ne&er again to attend at singing and $on&i&ia

%arties.'

A %easant &oi$e from a s)eet %aate mouth and i%s

Whether em%oyed in singing or not en$hants the heart

But the meodies of o&ers of 0sfahan or of the 3eja4

rom the )ind%i%e of a #ad singer are not ni$e.

Story 21

Loman #eing as+ed from )hom he had earnt $i&iity re%ied- 'rom those )ho had no $i&iity

#e$ause )hat a%%eared to me un#e$oming in them 0 refrained from doing.'

ot a )ord is said e&en in s%ort

Without an inteigent man ta+ing ad&i$e there#y.

43



But if a hundred $ha%ters of )isdom are read to a foo

A stri+e his ear merey as s%ort.

Story 22

0t is reated that a hermit $onsumed during one night ten mann of food and %erused the )hoe 9uran

ti morning. A %ious feo) )ho had heard of this said- '0t )oud ha&e #een more e$eent if he had

eaten haf a oaf and se%t ti the morning.'

;ee% thy interior em%ty of food

*hat thou mayest #ehod therein the ight of marifet.

*hou art em%ty of )isdom for the reason

*hat thou art re%ete )ith food u% to the nose.

Story 2

A man had #y his sins forfeited the di&ine fa&our #ut the am% of gra$e ne&ertheess so shone u%on his

%ath that it guided him into the $ir$e of reigious men and #y the #essing of his asso$iation )ith

der&ishes as )e as #y the eam%e of their righteousness the de%ra&ities of his $hara$ter )ere

transmuted into &irtues and he refrained from ust and %assion. But the tongues of the mae&oent )ere

engthened )ith referen$e to his $hara$ter aeging that it )as the same as it had e&er #een and that

his a#stinen$e and %iety )ere s%urious.

By a%oogy and %eniten$e one may #e sa&ed from the )rath of God

But $annot #e sa&ed from the tongues of men.

3e $oud no onger #ear the re&iing tongues and $om%ained to the %ir of the *ariat. *he shei+h )e%t

and said- '3o) )it thou #e a#e to #e suffi$ienty gratefu for this di&ine fa&our that thou art #etter

than the %eo%e imagine,'

3o) ong )it thou say- '*he mae&oent and en&ious

Are sear$hing out the defe$ts of my hum#e sef.

Sometimes they arise to shed my #ood.

Sometimes they sit do)n to $urse me.'

*o #e good and to #e in s%o+en of #y the %eo%e

0s #etter than to #e #ad and $onsidered good #y them.

Loo+ at me )hom the good o%inion of our $ontem%oraries deems to #e %erfe$t )hereas 0 am

im%erfe$tion itsef.

0f 0 )ere doing )hat 0 s%ea+

0 )oud #e of good $ondu$t and a de&otee.

:eriy 0 am &eied from the eyes of my neigh#ours

But Aah +no)s my se$ret and my o&ert $on$erns.

*he door is o$+ed to the a$$ess of %eo%e

*hat they may not s%read out my fauts.

44



What %rofiteth a $osed door, *he "mnis$ient

;no)s )hat 0 $on$ea or re&ea.

Story 2

0 $om%ained to one of the shei+hs that a $ertain man had fasey a$$used me of as$i&iousness. 3e

re%ied- '=ut him to shame #y thy good $ondu$t.'

Be thou )e #eha&ed that a maigner

6ay not find o$$asion to s%ea+ of thy fauts.

When the har% is in %ro%er tune

3o) $an the hand of the musi$ian $orre$t it,

Story 25

"ne of the shei+hs of Syria #eing as+ed on the true state of the Sufis re%ied- '0n former times they)ere a tri#e in the )ord a%%arenty distressed #ut in reaity $ontented )hereas today they are %eo%e

out)ardy satisfied #ut in)ardy dis$ontented.'

0f my heart roams a)ay from thee e&ery hour

*hou )it find no tranuiity in soitude

But if thou %ossessest %ro%erty dignity fieds and )ares

0f thy heart #e )ith God thou )it #e a re$use.

Story 2D

0 remem#er ha&ing on$e )a+ed a night )ith a $ara&an and then se%t on the edge of the desert. A

distra$ted man )ho had a$$om%anied us on that journey raised a shout ran to)ards the desert and

too+ not a moment's rest. When it )as dayight 0 as+ed him )hat state of his that )as. 3e re%ied- '0

sa) #u#us $ommen$ing to ament on the trees the %artridges on the mountains the frogs in the

)ater and the #easts in the desert so 0 #ethought mysef that it )oud not #e #e$oming for me to see%

in $areessness )hie they a )ere %raising God.'

@esterday at da)n a #ird amented

/e%ri&ing me of sense %atien$e strength and $ons$iousness.

"ne of my intimate friends )ho

3ad %erha%s heard my distressed &oi$e

Said- '0 $oud not #eie&e that thou

Woudst #e so da4ed #y a #ird's $ry.'

0 re%ied- '0t is not #e$oming to humanity

*hat 0 shoud #e sient )hen #irds $hant %raises.'

Story 2

0t on$e ha%%ened that on a journey to the 3eja4 a $om%any of young and %ious men )hose sentiments

harmoni4ed )ith mine )ere my feo)7tra&eers. *hey o$$asionay sung and re$ited s%iritua &erses

#ut )e had )ith us aso an a'#id )ho entertained a #ad o%inion of the #eha&iour of the der&ishes and

)as ignorant of their sufferings. When )e rea$hed the %am7gro&e of the Beni 3aa a #a$+ #oy of

45



the en$am%ment faing into a state of e$itement #ro+e out in a strain )hi$h #rought do)n the #irds

from the s+y. 0 sa) ho)e&er the $ame of the a'#id )hi$h #egan to %ran$e thro)ing him and

running into the desert.

;no)est thou )hat that matutina #u#u said to me,

What man art thou to #e ignorant of o&e,

*he Ara#i$ &erses thre) a $ame into e$stasy and joy.

0f thou hast no taste thou art an i7natured #rute.

When a $ame's head is turned #y the fren4y of joy

And a man does not fee it he must #e an ass.

When the )inds #o) o&er the %ain

*he #ran$hes of the #an7tree #end not hard ro$+s.

Whate&er thou #ehodest $hants his %raises.3e +no)s this )ho has the true %er$e%tion.

ot ony the #u#u on the rose#ush sings %raises

But e&ery #ram#e is a tongue etoing him.

Story 28

*he ife of a +ing )as dra)ing to a $ose and he had no su$$essor. 3e ordered in his ast testament

that the net morning after his death the first %erson entering the gate of the $ity #e %resented )ith the

roya $ro)n and #e entrusted )ith the go&ernment of the ream. 0t so ha%%ened that the first %erson

)ho entered )as a mendi$ant )ho had a his ife su#sisted on the morses he $oe$ted and had se)n %at$h after %at$h u%on his $othes. *he %iars of the state and grandees of the $ourt ee$uted the

injun$tion of the +ing and #esto)ed u%on him the go&ernment and the treasures( )hereon the der&ish

reigned for a )hie unti some amirs of the monar$hy )ithdre) their ne$+s from his o#edien$e and

+ings from e&ery side #egan to rise for hostiities and to %re%are their armies for )ar. At ast his o)n

troo%s and su#je$ts aso re#eed and de%ri&ed him of a %ortion of his dominions. *his e&ent affi$ted

the mind of the der&ish unti one of his od friends )ho had #een his $om%anion )hen he )as yet

himsef a der&ish returned from a journey and seeing him in su$h an eated %osition said- '*han+s

#e to God the most high and gorious that thy rose has thus $ome forth from the thorn and thy thorn

)as etra$ted from thy foot. *hy high u$+ has aided thee and %ros%erity )ith fortune has guided thee

ti thou hast attained this %osition. :eriy hardshi% is foo)ed #y $omfort.'

A fo)er is sometimes #ooming and sometimes )ithering.

A tree is at times nude and at times $othed.

3e re%ied- 'Brother $ondoe )ith me #e$ause there is no o$$asion for $ongratuation. When thou

sa)est me ast 0 )as distressed for #read and no) a )ord of distress has o&er)hemed me.'

0f 0 ha&e no )eath 0 grie&e.

0f 0 ha&e some the o&e of it $a%ti&ates me.

*here is no greater $aamity than )ordy goods.

Both their %ossession and their )ant are griefs.

46



0f thou )ishest for %o)er $o&et nothing

E$e%t $ontentment )hi$h is suffi$ient ha%%iness.

0f a ri$h man %ours god into thy a%

Care not a moment for than+ing him.

Be$ause often 0 heard great men say

*he %atien$e of a der&ish is #etter than the gift of a ri$h man.

Story 2F

A man had a friend )ho hed the offi$e of de&an to the %adshah #ut )hom he had not seen for a ong

time( and a man ha&ing as+ed him for the reason he re%ied- '0 do not )ant to see him.' A de%endent

ho)e&er of the de&an )ho aso ha%%ened to #e %resent ueried- 'What faut has he $ommitted that

thou art un)iing to meet him,' 3e re%ied- '*here is no faut in the matter #ut a friend )ho is a de&an

may #e seen )hen he is remo&ed from offi$e.'

Whist in greatness and in the turmoi of #usines*hey do not i+e to #e trou#ed #y neigh#ours

But )hen they are de%ressed and remo&ed from offi$e

*hey )i ay o%en their heart's grief to friends.

Story

A#u 3arirah may the a%%ro#ation of Aah #e u%on him )as in the ha#it of daiy )aiting u%on the

6ustafa %ea$e on him )ho said- 'A#u 3arira &isit me on aternate days that our o&e may in$rease.'

A man said to a de&otee- 'Beautifu as the sun is 0 ne&er heard that any#ody too+ it for a friend or fe

in o&e )ith it' and he re%ied- '*his is #e$ause it may #e seen daiy e$e%t in )inter )hen it is &eiedand #eo&ed.'

*here is no harm in &isiting %eo%e

But not ti they say- '0t is enough!'

0f thou findest faut )ith thysef

*hou )it not hear others re%roa$hing thee.

Story 1

A man #eing tormented story #y a $ontrary )ind in his #ey and not ha&ing the %o)er to retain it

un)ittingy ao)ed it to es$a%e. 3e said- 'riends 0 had no o%tion in )hat 0 did the faut of it is not

to #e as$ri#ed to me and %ea$e has resuted to my interna %arts. ;indy e$use me.'

*he #ey is a %rison of )ind " )ise man.

o sage retains )ind in $a%ti&ity.

0f )ind t)ists thy #ey et it out

Be$ause )ind in the #ey is a #urden to the heart.

Story 2

3a&ing #e$ome tired of my friends in /amas$us 0 )ent into the desert of ?erusaem and asso$iated

)ith animas ti the time )hen 0 #e$ame a %risoner of the ran+s )ho %ut me to )or+ )ith infides in

47



digging the earth of a moat in *ara%ois )hen one of the $hiefs of Ae%%o )ith )hom 0 had formery

#een a$uainted re$ogni4ed me and said- 'What state is this,' 0 re$ited-

'0 fed from men to mountain and desert

Wishing to attend u%on no one #ut God.

0magine )hat my state at %resent is

When 0 must #e satisfied in a sta#e of )ret$hes.

*he feet in $hains )ith friends

0s #etter than to #e )ith strangers in a garden.'

3e too+ %ity on my state and ransomed me for ten dinars from the $a%ti&ity of the ran+s ta+ing me

to Ae%%o )here he had a daughter and married me to her )ith a do)ry of one hundred dinars. After

some time had ea%sed she turned out to #e i7humoured uarresome diso#edient a#usi&e in her

tongue and em#ittering my ife-

A #ad )ife in a good man's house

0s his he in this )ord aready.

Aas for a #ad $onsort aas!

=reser&e us " Lord from the %unishment of fire.

"n$e she engthened her tongue of re%roa$h and said- 'Art thou not the man )hom my father

%ur$hased from the ran+s for ten dinars,' 0 re%ied- '@es he #ought me for ten dinars and sod me

into thy hands for one hundred dinars.'

0 heard that a shee% had #y a great manBeen res$ued from the ja)s and the %o)er of a )of.

0n the e&ening he stro+ed her throat )ith a +nife

Whereon the sou of the shee% $om%ained thus-

*hou hast snat$hed me a)ay from the $a)s of a )of

But at ast 0 see thou art thysef a )of.'

Story

A %adshah as+ed a hermit- '3o) s%endest thou thy %re$ious time,' 3e re%ied- '0 am a night engaged

in %rayer during the morning in su%%i$ations and the rest of the day in restri$ting my e%enses.' *hen

the +ing ordered a suffi$ient ao)an$e to #e aotted to him so as to reie&e him of the $ares of his

famiy.

" thou )ho art en$um#ered )ith a famiy

*hin+ no more of e&er enjoying freedom.

Cares for $hidren raiment and food

<estrain thee from the hea&eny +ingdom.

E&ery day 0 rene) my determination

*o )ait u%on God unti the night.

0n the night )hie tying the +not of %rayer

0 thin+ )hat my $hidren )i eat on the morro).

48



Story

A man %rofessing to #e a hermit in the desert of Syria attended for years to his de&otions and

su#sisted on the ea&es of trees. A %adshah )ho had gone in that dire$tion #y )ay of %igrimage

a%%roa$hed him and said- '0f thou thin+est %ro%er )e sha %re%are a %a$e for thee in the to)n )here

thou )it enjoy eisure for thy de&otions and others may %rofit #y thy s%iritua ad&i$e as )e as

imitate thy good )or+s.' *he hermit refused $om%ian$e #ut the %iars of the State )ere of o%inion

that in order to %ease the +ing he ought to s%end a fe) days in to)n to as$ertain the state of the

%a$e( so that if he feared that the %urity of his %re$ious time might #e$ome tur#id #y asso$iation )ith

strangers he )oud sti ha&e the o%tion to refuse $om%ian$e. 0t is reated that the hermit entered the

to)n )here a %ri&ate garden7house of the +ing )hi$h )as a heart7e%anding and sou refreshing

o$aity had #een %re%ared to re$ei&e him.

0ts red roses )ere i+e the $hee+s of #ees

0ts hya$inths i+e the ringets of mistresses

=rote$ted from the in$emen$y of mid7)interLi+e su$+ings )ho ha&e not yet tasted the nurse's mi+.

And #ran$hes )ith %omegranates u%on them-

ire sus%ended from the green7trees.

*he +ing immediatey sent him a #eautifu sa&e7gir-

After #ehoding this hermit7de$ei&ing $res$ent7moon

"f the form of an ange and the #eauty of a %ea$o$+

After seeing her it )oud #e im%ossi#e*o an an$horite's nature to remain %atient.

After her he sent i+e)ise a sa&e7#oy of )onderfu #eauty and gra$efu %a$idity-

=eo%e around him are dying )ith thirst

And he )ho oo+s i+e a $u%#earer gi&es no drin+.

*he sight $annot #e satisfied #y seeing him

Li+e the dro%si$a man near the Eu%hrates.

*he hermit #egan to eat dei$ious food to )ear ni$e $othes to enjoy fruit and %erfumed

$onfe$tionery as )e as to $ontem%ate the #eauty of the sa&e7#oy and gir in $onformity )ith the

maim of )ise men )ho ha&e said that the $urs of #ees are fetters to the feet of the intee$t and a

snare to a saga$ious #ird.

0n thy ser&i$e 0 ost my heart and reigion )ith a my earning

0 am indeed the saga$ious #ird and thou the snare.

0n short the ha%%iness of his former time of $ontentedness had $ome to an end as the saying is-

Any faih %ir and murid

"r %ure minded orator

49



/es$ending into the #ase )ord

Sti$+s in the honey i+e a fy.

"n$e the +ing desired to &isit him #ut sa) the hermit $hanged from his former state as he had

#e$ome red )hite and $or%uent. When the +ing entered he #ehed him re$ining on a $ou$h of god

#ro$ade )hist the #oy and the fairy stood near his head )ith a fan of %ea$o$+s' feathers. 3e

e%ressed %easure to #ehod the hermit in so $omforta#e a %osition $on&ersed )ith him on many

to%i$s and said at the $on$usion of the &isit- '0 am afraid of these t)o $asses of men in the )ord-

s$hoars and hermits.' *he &e4ier )ho )as a %hioso%her and e%erien$ed in the affairs of the )ord

#eing %resent said- '" +ing the $onditions of friendshi% reuire thee to do good to #oth $asses.

Besto) god u%on s$hoars that they may read more #ut gi&e nothing to hermits that they may remain

hermits.'

A hermit reuires neither dirhems nor dinars.

0f ie ta+es any find another hermit.

Who has a good #eha&iour and a se$ret )ith God

0s an an$horite )ithout the )af#read or #egged morse.

With a handsome figure and heart7ra&ishing ear7ti%

A gir is a #ee )ithout turuoise7ring or %endants.

A der&ish of good #eha&iour and of ha%%y dis%osition

<euires not the #read of the re#at nor the #egged morse.

A ady endo)ed )ith a #eauteous form and $haste fa$e

<euires no %aint adornment or turuoise7ring.

When 0 ha&e and $o&et more

0t )i not #e %ro%er to $a me an an$horite.

Story 5

0n $onformity )ith the a#o&e sentiments an affair of im%ortan$e emerged to a %adshah )ho thereon

&o)ed that if it terminated a$$ording to his )ishes he )oud %resent de&otees )ith a $ertain sum of

money. 3is )ish ha&ing #een fufied it #e$ame ne$essary to +ee% his %romise. A$$ordingy he ga&e

a %urse of dirhems to one of his $onfidentia ser&ants to distri#ute it among re$uses. 0t is reated that

the sa&e )as inteigent and shre)d. 3e )a+ed a#out a day and returning at nightfa +issed the

dirhems and de%osited them #efore the +ing )ith the remar+ that he had not found any de&otees. *he

+ing rejoined- 'What nonsense is this, As far as 0 +no) there are four hundred de&otees in this to)n.

3e said- 'Lord of the )ord )ho is a de&otee does not a$$e%t money and )ho a$$e%ts it is not a

de&otee.' *he +ing smied and said to his $ourtiers- '/es%ite of my )ishing to do good to this $ass of

)orshi%%ers of God this rogue #ears them emnity and th)arts my )ish #ut truth is on his side.'

0f a de&otee has ta+en dirhems and dinars

ind another )ho is more a de&otee than he.

Story D

50



"ne of the uemma of soid earning ha&ing #een as+ed for his o%inion a#out )af#read ans)ered-

'0f it #e a$$e%ted to insure tranuiity of mind from $ares for food and to o#tain eisure for de&otion it

is a)fu #ut if it #e ta+en for maintenan$e it is for#idden.'

Bread is ta+en for the $orner of de&otion

By %ious men and not the $orner of de&otion for #read.

Story

A der&ish arri&ed in a %a$e the o)ner of )hi$h )as of a no#e dis%osition and had surrounded

himsef )ith a $om%any of distinguished and eouent men ea$h of )hom uttered something eegant

or jo$uar a$$ording to the fashion of )its. *he der&ish )ho had tra&eed through the desert and )as

fatigued had eaten nothing. "ne of the $om%any as+ed him #y )ay of en$ouragement i+e)ise to say

something. *he der&ish re%ied- '0 do not %ossess distin$tion and eouen$e i+e you and ha&e read

nothing so you must #e satisfied )ith one disti$h of mine.' *he $om%any ha&ing agreed )ith %easure

he re$ited-

'0 am hungry and o%%osite to a ta#e of food

Li+e a #a$heor at the door of a #ath of femaes.'

*he $om%any ha&ing thus #een a%%rised of his famished $ondition %rodu$ed a ta#e )ith #read #ut as

he #egan to eat greediy the host said- 'riend at any rate sto% a )hie ti my ser&ants roast some

min$ed meat'( )hereon the der&ish ifted his head and re$ited-

'/o not order %ounded meat for my ta#e.

*o a %ounded man sim%e #read is %ounded meat.'

Story 8

A murid said to his %ir- 'What am 0 to do, 0 am trou#ed #y the %eo%e many of )hom %ay me &isits.

By their $oming and going they en$roa$h u%on my %re$ious time.' 3e re%ied- 'Lend something to

e&ery one of them )ho is %oor and as+ something from e&ery one )ho is ri$h and they )i $ome

round thee no more.'

0f a mendi$ant )ere the eader of the army of 0sam

*he infides )oud for fear of his im%ortunity run as far as China.

Story F

*he son of a faih said to his father- '*hese heart7ra&ishing )ords of moraists ma+e no im%ression

u%on me #e$ause 0 do not see that their a$tions are in $onformity )ith their s%ee$hes.'

*hey tea$h %eo%e to a#andon the )ord

But themse&es a$$umuate si&er and $orn.

A s$hoar )ho ony %rea$hes and nothing more

Wi not im%ress anyone )hen he s%ea+s.

3e is a s$hoar )ho $ommits no e&i

ot he )ho s%ea+s to men #ut a$ts not himsef.

51



Wi you enjoin &irtue to man+ind and forget your o)n sous,

A s$hoar )ho foo)s his usts and %anders to his #ody

0s himsef ost athough he may sho) the )ay.

*he father re%ied- '6y son it is not %ro%er merey on a$$ount of this &ain fan$y to turn a)ay the fa$e

from the instru$tion of ad&isers to tra&e on the road of &anity to a$$use the uemma of a#erration

and )hist sear$hing for an imma$uate s$hoar to remain e$uded from the #enefits of +no)edge

i+e a #ind man )ho one night fe into the mud and shouted- " 6usamans hod a am% on my

%ath. Whereon a $ourtesan )ho heard him as+ed- As thou $anst not see the am% )hat )it thou see

)ith the am%, 0n the same )ay the %rea$hing assem#y is i+e the sho% of a deaer in inen #e$ause

if thou #ringest no money thou $anst o#tain no )ares and if thou #ringest no in$ination to the

assem#y thou )it not get any fei$ity.'

3e said- 'Listen )ith thy sou's ear to a s$hoarAthough his a$tions may not #e i+e his do$trines.'

0n &ain does the gainsayer as+-

'3o) $an a see%er a)a+en a see%er,

A man must re$ei&e into his ears

*he ad&i$e athough it #e )ritten on a )a.'

A %ious man $ame to the door of a $oege from a monastery.

3e #ro+e the $o&enant of the $om%any of those of the *ari.

0 as+ed him )hat the differen$e #et)een a s$hoar and a mon+

amounts to,3e re%ied- '*he former sa&es his #an+et from the )a&es

Whist the atter stri&es to sa&e the dro)ning man.'

Story

A man )as see%ing dead7drun+ on the high)ay and the #ride of s%ontaneity had si%%ed from his

hands. A hermit %assed near him and $onsidered the disgra$efu $ondition he )as in. *he youth raised

his head and re$ited- When they %assed near something $ontem%ti#e they %assed it +indy. When

thou #ehodest a sinner #e $on$eaing and mee+.

*urn not thy fa$e from a sinner " an$horite.

Loo+ u%on him )ith #enignity.

0f 0 am igno#e in my a$tions

=ass me #y i+e a no#e feo).

Story 1

A $om%any of &aga#onds met a der&ish s%o+e insuting )ords to him stru$+ him and other)ise

moested him( )hereon he $om%ained to his su%erior and e%ained the $ase. *he %ir re%ied- '6y

son the %at$hed fro$+ of der&ishes is the garment of resignation and )ho )earing it $annot #ear

injuries is a %retender not entited to the fro$+.'

52



A arge ri&er )i not #e$ome tur#id from stones.

*he Arif )ho fees aggrie&ed is shao) )ater yet.

0f he injures thee #ear it

Be$ause %ardon )i %urify thee from sin.

" #rother as the end is dust #e dust #efore thou art

turned into dust.

Story 2

Listen to this story ho) in Baghdad

A fag and a $urtain fe into dis%ute.

*ra&e stained dusty and fatigued the fag

Said to the $urtain #y )ay of re%roa$h-

'0 and thou )e are #oth feo) ser&ants

Sa&es of the sutan's %aa$e. ot a moment had 0 rest from ser&i$e

0n season and out of season 0 tra&eed a#out.

*hou hast suffered neither toi nor siege

ot from the desert )ind nor dust and dirt.

6y ste% in the mar$h is more ad&an$ing.

*hen )hy is thy honour e$eeding mine,

*hou art u%on moon7fa$ed ser&ants

"r jessamine s$ented sa&e girs.

0 ha&e faen into %renti$e hands.

0 tra&e )ith foot in fetters and head futtering.'*he $urtain said- '6y head is on the threshod

ot i+e thine in the hea&ens.

Who $areessy ifts u% his ne$+

*hro)s himsef u%on his ne$+.'

Story

A %ious man sa) an a$ro#at in great dudgeon fu of )rath and foaming at the mouth. 3e as+ed-

'What is the matter )ith this feo),' A #ystander said- 'Someone has insuted him.' 3e remar+ed-

'*his #ase )ret$h is a#e to ift a thousand mann of stones and has not the %o)er to #ear one )ord.'

A#andon thy $aim to strength and maniness.

*hou art )ea+7minded and #ase )hether thou #e a man or )oman.

0f thou art a#e ma+e a s)eet mouth.

0t is not maniness to stri+e the fist on a mouth.

Athough a#e to tear u% an ee%hant's front

3e is not a man )ho %ossessed no humanity.

A man's nature is of earth.

0f he is not hum#e he is not a man.

Story

53



0 as+ed a good man $on$erning the uaities of the #rethren of %urity. 3e re%ied- '*he east of them is

that they %refer to %ease their friends rather than themse&es( and %hioso%hers ha&e said that a

#rother )ho is fettered #y affairs reating to himsef is neither a #rother nor a reati&e.'

0f thy feo) tra&eer hastens he is not thy feo).

*ie not thy heart to one )hose heart is not tied to thine.

When a +insman %ossesses no &irtue and %iety

*hen se&ering $onne$tion is #etter than o&e of +inshi%.

0 remem#er that an o%%onent o#je$ted to the ast t)o ines saying- 'God the most high and gorious

has in his no#e #oo+ %rohi#ited the se&ering of $onne$tion )ith reati&es and has $ommanded us to

o&e them. What thou hast aeged is $ontrary to it.' 0 re%ied- '*hou art mista+en #e$ause a$$ording to

the 9uran Aah the most high has said- 0f they #oth father and mother stri&e to indu$e thee to

asso$iate )ith me that $on$erning )hi$h thou hast no +no)edge o#ey them not.

A thousand +insmen )ho are strangers to God

Are the sa$rifi$e for one stranger )ho +no)s him.

Story 5

A +ind od man in Baghdad

Ga&e his daughter to a $o##er.

*he $rue itte man so #it her

*hat #ood fo)ed from the daughter's i%s.

et morning the father sa) her thusAnd going to the #ridegroom as+ed him-

'" mean )ret$h )hat teeth are these,

Che)est thou thus her i%s, *hey are not eather.

0 do not say these )ords in jest

Lea&e jo+ing off and enjoy her seriousy.

0f i humour #e$omes fied in a nature

0t )i not ea&e it ti the time of death.'

Story D

A faih had a &ery ugy daughter and )hen she attained %u#erty no one )as in$ined to marry her in

s%ite of her do)ry and )eath.

Bad is the #ro$ade and damas+ $oth

Whi$h is u%on an ugy #ride.

At ast it #e$ame ne$essary to marry her to a #ind man and it is reated that on the said o$$asion a

%hysi$ian arri&ed from Serandi% )ho )as a#e to restore sight to the #ind. *he faih #eing as+ed

)hy he had not %ut his son7in7a) under treatment re%ied- '0 fear that if he is a#e to see he )i

di&or$e my daughter.'

0t is #etter if the hus#and of an ugy )oman is #ind.

54



Story

A %adshah )as $asting a gan$ed of $ontem%t u%on a $om%any of der&ishes and one of them

understanding #y his saga$ity the meaning of it said- '" +ing in this )ord )e are inferior to thee in

dignity #ut more ha%%y in ife. 0n death )e are eua and in the resurre$tion su%erior to thee.'

*hough the master of a $ountry may ha&e enjoyment

And the der&ish may #e in need of #read

0n that hour )hen #oth of them )i die

*hey )i ta+e from the )ord not more than a shroud.

When thou ta+est thy de%arture from the ream

0t )i #e #etter to #e a mendi$ant than a %adshah.

Eternay the der&ish sho)s a %at$hed ro#e and a sha&ed head #ut in reaity his heart is i&ing and his

ust dead.

3e does not sit at the door of %reten$e a)ay from %eo%e

*o fight against them if they o%%ose him

Be$ause )hen a mistone ros from a mountain

3e is not an A'rif )ho gets out of the )ay of the stone.

*he )ay of der&ishes is %raying gratitude ser&i$e o#edien$e amsgi&ing $ontentment %rofessing

the unity of God trust su#mission and %atien$e. Whoe&er %ossesses these uaities is reay a der&ish

athough he may )ear an eegant ro#e )hereas a %ratter )ho nege$ts his orisons is uurious

sensua turns day into night in the #ondage of ust and night into day in the see% of $areessness eats)hate&er he gets and s%ea+s )hate&er $omes u%on his tongue is a %rofigate athough he may )ear

the ha#it of a der&ish.

" thou )hose interior is denuded of %iety

But )earest out)ardy the gar# of hy%o$risy

/o not dis%ay a $urtain of se&en $oours.

*hou hast reed mats inside thy house.

Story 8

0 sa) #ouuets of fresh roses

*ied u%on a $u%oa of grass.

0 as+ed- 'What is des%i$a#e grass

*o sit aso in the ine of the roses,'

*he grass )e%t and said- '3ush!

Com%anionshi% does not o#iterate no#iity.

Athough 0 ha&e no #eauty $oour and %erfume

Am 0 not after a the grass of his garden,

0 am the sa&e of a #ountifu ord

Cherished from od #y his i#eraity.

Whether 0 %ossess &irtue or not

0 ho%e for gra$e from the Lord

55



Athough 0 %ossess no %ro%erty

o $a%ita to offer as o#edien$e.

3e +no)s the remedy for the sa&e

*o )hom no su%%ort remains.

0t is $ustomary that the o)ner gi&es a )rit

"f eman$i%ation to an od sa&e.

" God )ho hast adorned the uni&erse

Be #ountifu to thy od sa&e.'

Sa'di ta+e the road to the ;a'#ah of su#mission.

" man of God foo) the )ay of God.

>nu$+y is he )ho turns his head

A)ay from this door for he )i find no other door.

Story F

A sage ha&ing #een as+ed )hether i#eraity or #ra&ery is #etter re%ied- '3e )ho %ossesses i#eraityneeds no #ra&ery.'

0t is )ritten on the tom# of Behram Gur-

'A i#era hand is #etter than a strong arm.'

3atim *ai has %assed a)ay #ut for e&er

3is high name )i remain $ee#rated for #enefi$en$e.

Set aside the 4e+at from thy %ro%erty #e$ause the eu#erant &ines

When %runed #y the &intner )i yied more gra%es.

56



Chapter III

)n the $%cellence of Contentment

Story 1

A 6aghra#i su%%i$ant said in Ae%%o in the ro) of inen7dra%ers- 'Lords of )eath if you )ere just

and )e $ontented the trade of #egging )oud &anish from the )ord.'

" $ontentment ma+e me ri$h

or #esides thee no other )eath eists.

Loman see$ted the $orner of %atien$e.

Who has no %atien$e has no )isdom.

Story 2

*)o sons of amirs )ere in Egy%t the one a$uiring s$ien$e the other a$$umuating )eath ti the

former #e$ame the uemma of the %eriod and the other the %rin$e of Egy%t( )hereon the ri$h man

oo+ed )ith $ontem%t u%on the faih and said- '0 ha&e rea$hed the sutanate )hist thou hast remained

in %o&erty as #efore.' 3e re%ied- '" #rother 0 am #ound to #e gratefu to the most high Creator for

ha&ing o#tained the inheritan$e of %ro%hets )hist thou hast attained the inheritan$e of =haraoh and of

3aman namey the +ingdom of Egy%t.'

0 am that ant )hi$h is trodden under foot

ot that )as% the %ain of )hose sting $auses ament.

3o) sha 0 gi&e due than+s for the #essing

*hat 0 do not %ossess the strength of injuring man+ind,

Story

0 heard that a der&ish #urning in the fire of %o&erty and se)ing %at$h u%on %at$h said to $omfort his

mind-

'We are $ontented )ith dry #read and a %at$hed ro#e

or it is easier to #ear the oad of one's o)n trou#e

than that of than+s to others.'

Someone said to him- 'Why sittest thou, A $ertain man in this to)n %ossesses a #ene&oent nature is

i#era to a has girded his oins to ser&e the %ious and is ready to $omfort e&ery heart. 0f he #e$omes

a)are of thy $ase he )i $onsider it an o#igation to $omfort the mind of a )orthy %erson.' 3e

re%ied- '3ush! 0t is #etter to die of inanition than to %ead for one's ne$essities #efore any man.'

0t is #etter to %at$h $othes and sit in the $orner of %atien$e

*han to )rite %etitions for ro#es to gentemen.

:eriy it is eua to the %unishment of he*o go to %aradise as a fun+ey to one's neigh#our.

57

http://classics.mit.edu/Sadi/gulistan.5.iv.html



Story

"ne of the +ings of =ersia had sent an a#e %hysi$ian to )ait u%on the 6ustafa the #enedi$tion of

Aah and %ea$e #e on him( and he remained for some years in the Ara# $ountry )ithout anyone

$oming to him to ma+e a tria of his a#iity or desiring to #e treated #y him. 3e )ent to the =ro%het

sautation to him and $om%ained that athough he had #een sent to treat the $om%anions none of

them had u% to this time ta+en noti$e of him or reuired the ser&i$es in$um#ent u%on him. *he

A%oste sautation to him re%ied- '0t is a a) )ith these %eo%e not to eat unti a%%etite o&er%o)ers

them and )hen some of it yet remains they )ithdra) their hands from food.' *he do$tor said- '*his is

the $ause of heath' and +issing the earth of ser&i$e de%arted.

*he sage #egins to s%ea+

"r %oints his fingers to the dish

When sien$e )oud #e dangerous

"r a#stinan$e )oud #ring on death. o dou#t his )isdom is in s%ea+ing

And his eating #ears the fruit of heath.

Story 5

A man often made &o)s of re%entan$e #ut #ro+e them again ti one of the shei+hs said to him- '0 thin+

thou art in the ha#it of eating a great dea and that thy %o)er of restraining a%%etite is more sender

than a hair )hist an a%%etite su$h as thou nourishest )oud ru%ture a $hain and a day may $ome

)hen it )i tear thee u%.'

A man #rought u% a )of's )he%.

When it )as #rought u% it tore him u%.

Story D

0t is narrated in the ife of Ardeshir Ba#e+an that he as+ed an Ara# %hysi$ian ho) mu$h food he must

$onsume daiy. 3e re%ied- '*he )eight of one hundred dirhems )i #e enough.' *he +ing ueried-

'What strength )i this uantity gi&e me,' 3e re%ied- '*his uantity )i $arry thee and )hate&er is

more than that thou )it #e the $arrier of it.'

Eating is for i&ing and %raying.

*hou thin+est i&ing is for eating.

Story

*)o ;horasani der&ishes tra&eed together. "ne of them #eing )ea+ #ro+e his fast e&ery se$ond

night )hist the other )ho )as strong $onsumed e&ery day three meas. 0t ha%%ened that they )ere

$a%tured at the gate of a to)n on sus%i$ion of #eing s%ies( )hereon ea$h of them )as $onfined in a

$oset and the a%erture of it )aed u% )ith mud #ri$+s. After t)o )ee+s it #e$ame +no)n that they

)ere guitess. A$$ordingy the doors )ere o%ened and the strong man )as found to #e dead )hist

the )ea+ feo) had remained ai&e. *he %eo%e )ere astonished #ut a sage a&erred that the $ontrary

)oud ha&e #een astonishing #e$ause one of them ha&ing #een &ora$ious %ossessed no strength to

58



suffer hunger and %erished )hist the other )ho )as a#stemious merey %erse&ered in his ha#it and

remained safe.

When eating itte has #e$ome the nature of a man

3e ta+es it easy )hen a $aamity #efas him

But )hen the #ody #e$omes strong in affuen$e

3e )i die )hen a hardshi% o&erta+es him.

Story 8

"ne of the %hioso%hers for#ade his son to eat mu$h #e$ause re%etion +ee%s %eo%e aiing. *he #oy

re%ied- '" father it is hunger that +is. 3ast thou not heard of the maim of the ingenious that it is

#etter to die satiated than to #ear hunger,' 3e rejoined- 'Be moderate. Eat and drin+ #ut not to e$ess.'

Eat not so mu$h that it $omes u% to thy mouth

or so itte that from )ea+ness thy sou $omes u%.

Athough maintenan$e of ife de%ends u%on food

:i$tuas #ring on disease )hen eaten to e$ess.

0f thou eatest rose7$onfe$tionery )ithout a%%etite it injures thee

But eating dry #read after a ong fast is i+e rose7%reser&e.

Story F

A si$+ man ha&ing #een as+ed )hat his heart desired re%ied- '*hat it may not desire anything.'

When the #o)es are fu and the #ey %ains*here is no use in a other things #eing right.

Story 1

A grain deaer to )hom Sufis )ere o)ing some money as+ed them for it e&ery day in the to)n of

Waset and used harsh anguage to)ards them. *he $om%anions had #e$ome )eary of his re%roa$hes

#ut had no other remedy than to #ear them( and one of them )ho )as a %ious man remar+ed- '0t is

more easy to %a$ify a hungry stoma$h )ith %romises of food than a grain deaer )ith %romises of

money.'

0t is %refera#e to #e )ithout the #ounty of a genteman

*han to #ear the insuts of the gate7+ee%ers.

0t is #etter to die )ishing for meat

*han to endure the e%ostuations of #ut$hers.

Story 11

A #ra&e )arrior )ho had re$ei&ed a dreadfu )ound in the *atar )ar )as informed that a $ertain

mer$hant %ossessed a medi$ine )hi$h he )oud %ro#a#y not refuse to gi&e if as+ed for( #ut it is

reated that the said mer$hant )as aso )e +no)n for his a&ari$e.

0f instead of #read he had the sun in his ta#e7$oth

59



o one $oud see dayight ti the day of resurre$tion.

*he )arrior re%ied- '0f 0 as+ for the medi$ine he )i either gi&e it or refuse it and if he gi&es it may#e

it )i %rofit me and may#e not. At any rate the in$on&enien$e of as+ing it from him is a etha

%oison.'

Whate&er thou o#tainest #y entreaties from #ase men

Wi %rofit thy #ody #ut injure thy sou.

And %hioso%hers ha&e said- '0f for instan$e the )ater of ife )ere to #e e$hanged for a good

re%utation no )ise man )oud %ur$hase it #e$ause it is %refera#e to die )ith honour than to i&e in

disgra$e.'

*o eat $oouinth from the hand of a s)eet7tem%ered man

0s #etter than $onfe$tionery from the hand of an i7humoured

feo).

Story 12

"ne of the uemma had many eaters to %ro&ide for and ony a sender in$ome. *his fa$t he

$ommuni$ated to a great man of )hose $hara$ter he entertained a &ery fa&oura#e o%inion #ut his

e%e$tations )ere disa%%ointed #e$ause the man made a )ry fa$e and a&erred that a$$ording to his

o%inion a%%i$ations from res%e$ta#e %ersons for aid are un#e$oming.

With a fa$e made sad #y misfortune to a dear friend

/o not go #e$ause thou )it em#itter his ife aso.or the needfu for )hi$h thou a%%iest go )ith a fresh and

smiing fa$e.

*he man of joyfu $ountenan$e )i not #e unsu$$essfu in his

affairs.

0t is reated that the great man augmented his sti%end a itte #ut $onsidera#y diminished his

famiiarity to)ards him and )hen he %er$ei&ed after some days that it )as not as usua he re$ited-

'E&i is the food )hi$h the time of degradation a$uires.

*he +ette is indeed %a$ed #ut the dignity is o)ered.'

3e in$reased my #read #ut diminished my honour.

=o&erty is #etter than the degradation of as+ing.

Story 1

A der&ish )anted something and a man tod him that a $ertain indi&idua %ossessed untod )eath

)ho if he )ere made a)are of his )ant )oud not $onsider it %ro%er to fai in su%%ying it forth)ith.

*he der&ish ans)ering that he had no a$uaintan$e )ith him the man %ro%osed to sho) him the

house and )hen the der&ish entered he $aught sight of a %erson )ith hanging i%s and sitting

morosey. 3e returned immediatey and #eing as+ed )hat he had done re%ied- '0 e$used him from

ma+ing me a %resent )hen 0 sa) his fa$e.'

60



Carry not thy ne$essity to a sour7fa$ed feo)

Be$ause his i7humour )i $rush thy ho%es.

0f thou $onfidest thy heart's grief te it to one

Whose fa$e )i $omfort thee i+e ready $ash.

Story 1

A year of dearth set in at Aeandria so that e&en a der&ish ost the reins of %atien$e from his hands

the %ears of hea&en )ere )ithhed from the earth and the amentations of man+ind as$ended to the

firmament.

*here )as no )id #east fo) fish or ant

Whose )aiings %rom%ted #y distress had not rea$hed the s+y.

or a )onder the heart7smo+e of the %eo%e did not $ondense

*o form $ouds and the torrents of their tears rain.

0n su$h a year there )as an herma%hrodite. 0 o)e it to my friends not to des$ri#e him #e$ause it )oud

#e an a#andonment of good manners es%e$iay in the %resen$e of great men. "n the other hand it

)oud i+e)ise #e im%ro%er and in the )ay of negigen$e not to mention anything a#out him #e$ause

$ertain %eo%e )oud im%ute it to the ignoran$e of the narrator. A$$ordingy 0 sha #riefy des$ri#e

him in the foo)ing t)o disti$hs #e$ause a itte indi$ates mu$h and a handfu is a sam%e of a

don+ey oad.

0f a *atar says that herma%hrodite

*he *atar must not #e sain in return.

3o) ong )i he #e i+e the #ridge of Baghdad

With )ater fo)ing #eneath and men on the #a$+,

Su$h a man a %ortion of )hose euogy thou hast no) heard %ossessed in that year #oundess )eath

#esto)ed si&er and god u%on the needy and aid out ta#es for tra&eers. A $om%any of der&ishes

)ho )ere #y the %resen$e of distress on the %oint of star&ation )ere in$ined to a$$e%t of his

hos%itaity and $onsuted me on the su#je$t #ut 0 stru$+ my head #a$+ from assenting and re%ied-

A ion does not eat the haf of )hi$h a dog $onsumed

Athough he may die of hunger in his air.

*hough getting ri$h in )eath and %ro%erty i+e eridun

A )orthess man is to #e $onsidered of no a$$ount.

Story 15

3atim *ai ha&ing #een as+ed )hether he had seen in the )ord anyone of more eated sentiments

than himsef re%ied- '@es one day 0 saughtered forty $ames to entertain Ara# amirs. 0 had o$$asion

to go out on some #usiness into a $orner of the desert )here 0 noti$ed a gatherer of #riars )ho had

a$$umuated a hio$+ of thistes and 0 as+ed him )hy he had not #e$ome a guest of 3atim sin$emany %eo%e had $ome round to his #anuet #ut he re%ied-

61



Who eats #read #y the )or+ of his o)n hand

Wi not #ear to #e o#iged to 3atim *ai.

*hen 0 sa) that his sentiments )ere more eated than mine.'

Story 1D

6oses to )hom #e sautation #ehed a der&ish )ho had on a$$ount of his nudity $on$eaed himsef

in the sand e$aiming- '" 6oses utter a su%%i$ation to God the most high to gi&e me an ao)an$e

#e$ause 0 am on a$$ount of my distress on the %oint of star&ation.' 6oses a$$ordingy %rayed and

de%arted #ut returning a fe) days after)ards he sa) that the der&ish )as a %risoner and surrounded #y

a $ro)d of %eo%e. "n as+ing for the reason he )as informed that the der&ish had drun+ )ine

uarreed sain a man and )as to #e ee$uted in retaiation.

0f the hum#e $at %ossessed )ings3e )oud ro# the )ord of e&ery s%arro)7egg.

0t may ha%%en that )hen a )ea+ man o#tains %o)er

3e arises and t)ists the hands of the )ea+.

And if Aah )ere to #esto) a#undan$e u%on his ser&ants they )oud $ertainy re#e u%on earth.

What has made thee )ade into danger " foo

*i thou hast %erished. Woud that the ant had not #een a#e to fy!

When a #ase feo) o#tains dignity si&er and god3is head ne$essariy demands to #e +no$+ed.

Was not after a this maim uttered #y a sage,

'*hat ant is the #est )hi$h %ossesses no )ings.'

*he hea&eny father has %enty of honey #ut the son has a hot disease.

3e )ho does not ma+e thee ri$h

;no)s #etter )hat is good for thee than thysef.

Story 1

0 noti$ed an Ara# of the desert sitting in a $om%any je)eers at Bosrah and narrating stories to them.

3e said- '0 had on$e ost my road in the desert and $onsumed a my %ro&isions. 0 $onsidered that 0

must %erish )hen 0 suddeny $aught sight of a #ag fu of %ears and 0 sha ne&er forget the joy and

e$stasy 0 fet on thin+ing they might #e %ar$hed grain nor the #itterness and des%air )hen 0 dis$o&ered

them to #e %ears.'

0n a dry desert and among mo&ing sand

0t is the same to a thirsty man )hether he has %ears or shes in his mouth.

When a man has no %ro&isions and his strength is ehausted

0t matters not )hether his girde is adorned )ith %ears or %otsherds.

62



Story 18

An Ara# suffering in the desert from etreme thirst re$ited-

'Woud that #efore my death

0 $oud one day enjoy my )ish

*hat a ri&er's )a&es might stri+e my +nee

And 0 might fi my )ater7#ag.'

0n the same manner another tra&eer ost himsef in an etensi&e region ha&ing neither any strength

nor food eft #ut he %ossessed some money and roamed a#out and the road eading him no)here he

%erished from ehaustion. Some %eo%e after)ards dis$o&ered his $or%se )ith the money in front of it

and the foo)ing )ritten on the ground-

0f %ossessed of a the ?a'feri god

0t )i a&ai nothing to a hungry man.*o a %oor man #urnt in the desert

Boied turni%s are more &aua#e than %ure si&er.

Story 1F

0 ne&er amented a#out the &i$issitudes of time or $om%ained of the turns of fortune e$e%t on the

o$$asion )hen 0 )as #arefooted and una#e to %ro$ure si%%ers. But )hen 0 entered the great mosue

of ;ufah )ith a sore heart and #ehed a man )ithout feet 0 offered than+s to the #ounty of God

$onsoed mysef for my )ant of shoes and re$ited-

'A roast fo) is to the sight of a satiated man

Less &aua#e than a #ade of fresh grass on the ta#e

And to him )ho has no means nor %o)er

A #urnt turni% is a roasted fo).'

Story 2

A +ing )ith some of his $ourtiers had during a hunting %arty and in the )inter season strayed far from

inha#ited %a$es #ut )hen the night set in he %er$ei&ed the house of a dehan and said- 'We sha

s%end the night there to a&oid the injury of the $od.' "ne of the &e4iers ho)e&er o#je$ted aegingthat it )as un)orthy of the high dignity of a %adshah to ta+e refuge in the house of a dehan and that

it )oud #e #est to %it$h tents and to ight fires on the s%ot. *he dehan )ho had #e$ome a)are of

)hat )as ta+ing %a$e %re%ared some food he had ready in his house offered it +issed the ground of

ser&i$e and said- '*he high dignity of the sutan )oud not ha&e #een so mu$h o)ered #ut the

$ourtiers did not )ish the dignity of the dehan to #e$ome high.' *he +ing )ho )as %eased )ith these

)ords mo&ed for the night into the man's house and #esto)ed a dress of honour u%on him the net

morning. When he a$$om%anied the +ing a fe) %a$es at the de%arture he )as heard to say-

'othing )as ost of the sutan's %o)er and %om%

By a$$e%ting the hos%itaity of a dehanBut the $orner of the dehan's $a% rea$hed the sun

63



When a sutan su$h as thou o&ershado)ed his head.'

Story 21

0t is reated that a sutan thus addressed a misery #eggar )ho had a$$umuated great ri$hes- '0t is

e&ident that thou %ossessest #oundess )eath and )e ha&e an affair on hand in )hi$h thou $anst aid

us #y )ay of a oan. When the finan$es of the $ountry are in a fourishing $ondition it )i #e re%aid.'

*he miser re%ied- '0t is not #efitting the %o)er and dignity of a %adshah to soi the hands of his no#e

as%irations )ith the %ro%erty of an indi&idua i+e mysef )ho has $oe$ted it grain #y grain.' *he

+ing re%ied- '0t does not matter #e$ause the money )i #e s%ent u%on infides- *he )i$+ed )omen

shoud #e joined to the )i$+ed men.

0f the )ater of a Christian's )e is im%ure

What matters it if thou )ashest a dead ?e) therein,

*hey said- '*he ime7mortar is not $ean.'We re%ied- 'We sha %ug there)ith the %ri&y hoes.

0 heard that he refused to $om%y )ith the #ehest of the +ing #egan to argue and to oo+ insoenty(

)hereon the +ing ordered the sum in uestion to #e reeased from his gras% #y for$e and )ith a

re%rimand.

0f an affair $annot #e a$$om%ished )ith genteness

3e forsooth turns his head to im%uden$e.

Who has no regard for himsef

0t is %ro%er that no one shoud %ay him any.

Story 22

0 met a trader )ho %ossessed one hundred and fifty $ame oads of mer$handise )ith forty sa&es and

ser&ants. "ne e&ening in the oasis of ;ish he too+ me into his a%artment and ta+ing a night no rest

+e%t u% an in$oherent ga##e saying- '0 ha&e su$h and su$h a )arehouse in *ur+estan su$h and su$h

goods in 3indostan( this is the tite7deed of su$h and su$h an estate and in this affair su$h and su$h a

man is se$urity.' 3e said- '0 intend to go to Aeandria #e$ause it has a good $imate' and $orre$ting

himsef $ontinued- 'o #e$ause the Afri$an sea is #oisterous. " Sa'di 0 ha&e one journey more to

underta+e and after %erforming it 0 sha during the rest of my ife sit in a $orner and enjoy

$ontentment.' 0 as+ed- 'What journey is that,' 3e re%ied- '0 sha $arry =ersian #rimstone to China

#e$ause 0 heard that it fet$hed a high %ri$e. 0 sha aso $arry Chinese %or$eain to <um and <umi

#ro$ade to 0ndia and 0ndian stee to Ae%%o $on&ey gass7)are of Ae%%o to @emen stri%ed $oth of

@emen to =ares. After that 0 sha a#andon trading and sha sit do)n in a sho%.' 3e had ta+ed so

mu$h of this nonsenses that no more strength remained in him so he said- '" Sa'di do thou aso te

me something of )hat thou hast seen and heard.' 0 re$ited-

'*hou mayest ha&e heard that in the %ain of Ghur

"n$e a eader fe do)n from his #east of #urden

Saying- *he narro) eye of a )eathy man

Wi #e fied either #y $ontent or #y the earth

of the tom#.'

64



Story 2

0 heard a#out a )eathy man )ho )as as )e +no)n for his a&ari$e as 3atim *ai for his i#eraity.

"ut)ardy he dis%ayed the a%%earan$e of )eath #ut in)ardy his sordid nature )as so dominant that

he )oud not for his ife gi&e a morse of #read to anyone or #esto) a s$ra% u%on the +itten of A#u

3arirah or thro) a #one to the dog of the $om%anions of the $a&e. 0n short no one had seen the door

of his house o%en or his ta#e7doth s%read.

*he der&ish got nothing of his food e$e%t the sme.

*he fo) %i$+ed u% the $rum#s after his #read7dinner.

0 heard that he )as saiing in the 6editerranean )ith the %ride of =haraoh in his head7a$$ording to the

)ords of the most high >nti dro)ning o&ertoo+ him7)hen a of a sudden a $ontrary )ind #efe the

shi% as it is said-

What $an thy heart do to thy distressed nature for the )ind is not fair,

0t is not at a times suita#e for a shi%.

3e u%ifted the hands of su%%i$ation and #egan to ament in &ain #ut Aah the most high has

$ommanded- When they sai in a shi% they $a u%on Aah sin$erey ehi#iting unto him their

reigion.

"f )hat use is the hand of su%%i$ation to a needy )orshi%%er

Whi$h is u%ifted to God in the time of %rayer #ut in the arm%it in the time of #ounty,

Besto) $omfort )ith god and )ith si&er

And there#y aso %rofit thysef.

As this house of thine )i remain

Buid it )ith a si&er and a god #ri$+.

0t is narrated that he had %oor reations in Egy%t )ho #e$ame ri$h #y the remainder of his )eath

tearing u% their od $oths and $utting ne) ones of si+ and of /amiari. /uring the same )ee+ 0 aso

#ehed one of them riding a feet horse )ith a fairy7fa$ed sa&e #oy at his hees. 0 said-

'Wah! 0f the dead man )ere to return

Among his +insfo+ and $onne$tions

*he refunding of the inheritan$e )oud #e more %ainfu

*o the heirs than the death of their reati&e.'

"n a$$ount of the a$uaintan$e )hi$h had formery su#sisted #et)een us 0 %ued his see&e and

said-

'Eat thou " &irtuous and good man

What that mean feo) gathered and did not eat.'

Story 2

65



Story 28

0t is reated that an athete had #een redu$ed to the greatest distress #y ad&erse fortune. 3is throat

#eing $a%a$ious and his hands una#e to fi it he $om%ained to his father and as+ed him for

%ermission to tra&e as he ho%ed to #e ho%ed to #e a#e to gain a i&eihood #y the strength of his arm.

E$een$e and s+i are ost uness ehi#ited.

Lignum aoes is %a$ed on fire and mus+ ru##ed.

*he father re%ied- '6y son get rid of this &ain idea and %a$e the feet of $ontentment under the s+irt

of safety #e$ause great men ha&e said that ha%%iness does not $onsist in eertion and that the remedy

against )ant is in the moderation of desires.

o one $an gras% the s+irt of u$+ #y for$e.

0t is useess to %ut &asmah on a #ad man's #ro).

0f thou hast t)o hundred a$$om%ishments for ea$h hair of thy head

*hey )i #e of no use if fortune is un%ro%itious.

What $an an athete do )ith ad&erse u$+,

*he arm of u$+ is #etter than the arm of strength.

*he son rejoined- 'ather the ad&antages of tra&e are many su$h as re$reation of the mind entaiing

%rofit seeing of )onderfu and hearing of strange things re$reation in $ities asso$iating )ith friends

a$uisition of dignity ran+ %ro%erty the %o)er of dis$riminating among a$uaintan$es and gaininge%erien$e of the )ord as the tra&eers in the *ariat ha&e said-

As ong as thou )a+est a#out the sho% or the house

*hou )it ne&er #e$ome a man ra) feo).

Go and tra&e in the )ord

Before that day )hen thou goest from the )ord.'

*he father re%ied- '6y son the ad&antages of tra&e su$h as thou hast enumerated them are $ountess

#ut they regard es%e$iay fi&e $asses of men- firsty a mer$hant )ho %ossesses in $onseuen$e of his

)eath and %o)er gra$efu mae and femae sa&es and ui$+7handed assistants aights e&ery day in

another to)n and e&ery night in another %a$e has re$reation e&ery moment and sometimes enjoys the

deights of the )ord.'

A ri$h man is not a stranger in mountain desert or soitude.

Where&er he goes he %it$hes a tent and ma+es a see%ing %a$e(

Whist he )ho is destitute of the goods of this )ord

6ust #e in his o)n $ountry a stranger and un+no)n.

Se$ondy a s$hoar )ho is for the %easantness of his s%ee$h the %o)er of his eouen$e and the fund

of his instru$tion )aited u%on and honoured )here&er he goes.

*he %resen$e of a earned man is i+e %ure god

67



Whose %o)er and %ri$e is +no)n )here&er he goes.

An ignorant feo) of no#e des$ent resem#es Shahrua

Whi$h no#ody a$$e%ts in a foreign $ountry.

*hirdy handsome feo)s )ith )hom the sous of %ious men are in$ined to $omminge #e$ause it

has #een said that a itte #eauty is #etter than mu$h )eath. An attra$ti&e fa$e is aso said to #e a sa&e

to des%ondent hearts and the +ey to o$+ed doors )herefore the so$iety of su$h a %erson is

e&ery)here +no)n to #e &ery a$$e%ta#e-

A #eautifu %erson meets )ith honour and res%e$t e&ery)here

Athough %erha%s dri&en a)ay in anger #y father and mother.

0 ha&e seen a %ea$o$+ feather in the ea&es of the 9uran.

0 said- '0 see thy %osition is higher than thy deserts.'

0t said- '3ush )hoe&er is endo)ed )ith #eauty

Where&er he %a$es his foot hands are hed out to re$ei&e it.'

When a #oy is symmetri$a and heart7ro##ing

0t matters not if his father diso)ns him.

3e is a je)e )hi$h must not remain in a she.

A %re$ious %ear e&eryone desires to #uy.

ourthy one )ith a s)eet &oi$e )ho retains )ith a /a&id7i+e throat )ater from fo)ing and #irds

from soaring. By means of this taent he hods the hearts of %eo%e $a%ti&e and reigious men are

deighted to asso$iate )ith him.

6y audition is intent on the #eautifu meody.Who is that %erforming on the dou#e $hord,

3o) %easant is the gente and mean$hoy ay

*o the ear of the #oon $om%anions )ho uaff the morning draught!

Better than a handsome fa$e is a %easant &oi$e.

*he former is joy to the senses the atter food for the sou.

ifthy the artisan )ho gains a suffi$ient i&eihood #y the strength of his arm so that his re%utation

is not ost in strugging for #read( as )ise men ha&e said-

0f he goes a#road from his o)n to)n

*he %at$her of $othes meets )ith no #ardshi% or trou#e

But if the go&ernment fas into ruin

*he +ing of imru4 )i go to #ed hungry.

*he uaities )hi$h 0 ha&e e%ained my son are in a journey the o$$asion of satisfa$tion to the

mind stimuants to a ha%%y ife #ut he )ho %ossesses none of them goes )ith ide fan$ies into the

)ord and no one )i e&er hear anything a#out his name and fame.

3e )hom the turning )ord is to affi$t

Wi #e guided #y the times against his aim.

A %igeon destined not to see its nest again

68



/esire se)s u% the &ision of a shre)d man.

Greediness #rings fo) and fish into the snare.

As soon as the young man's hand $oud rea$h the #eard and $oar of the #oatman he immediatey

+no$+ed him do)n and a $omrade of the #oatman )ho $ame from the &esse to res$ue him

e%erien$ed the same rough treatment and turned #a$+. *he rest of the %eo%e then thought %ro%er to

%a$ify the young man and to $ondone his %assage money.

When thou seest a uarre #e for#earing

Be$ause gentemen )i shut the door of strife.

>se +indness )hen thou seest $ontention.

A shar% s)ord $annot $ut soft si+.

By a s)eet tongue gra$e and +indiness

*hou )it #e a#e to ead an ee%hant #y a hair.

*hen the %eo%e fe at his feet $ra&ing %ardon for )hat had %assed. *hey im%ressed somehy%o$riti$a +isses u%on his head and his eyes re$ei&ed him into the #oat and started %rogressing ti

they rea$hed a %iar of @unani )or+manshi% standing in the )ater. *he #oatman said- '*he &esse is

in danger. Let one of you )ho is the strongest go to the %iar and ta+e the $a#e of the #oat that )e

may sa&e the &esse.' *he young man in the %ride of #ra&ery )hi$h he had in his head did not thin+

of the offended foe and did not mind the maim of )ise men )ho ha&e said- '0f thou hast gi&en

offen$e to one man and after)ards done him a hundred +indnesses do not #e $onfident that he )i

not a&enge himsef for that one offen$e #e$ause athough the head of a s%ear may $ome out the

memory of an offen$e )i remain in the heart.'

'3o) )e' said @a+tash to ;hitash'3ast thou s$rat$hed a foe, /o not thin+ thou art safe.'

Be not un$on$erned for thou )it #e affi$ted

0f #y thy hand a heart has #een affi$ted.

*hro) not a stone at the ram%art of a fort

Be$ause %ossi#y a stone may $ome from the fort.

As soon as he had ta+en the ro%e of the #oat on his arm he $im#ed to the to% of the %iar )hereon

the #oatman snat$hed it from his gras% and %ushed the #oat off. *he he%ess man )as ama4ed and

s%ent t)o days in misery and distress. "n the third see% too+ hod of his $oar and thre) him into

the )ater. After one night and day he )as $ast on the #an+ )ith some ife sti remaining in him. 3e

#egan to eat ea&es of trees and to %u out roots of grass so that )hen he had gained a itte strength

he turned to)ards the desert and )a+ed ti thirst #egan to torment him. 3e at ast rea$hed a )e and

sa) %eo%e drin+ing )ater for a %ashi4i #ut %ossessing none he as+ed for a $oin and sho)ed his

destitute $ondition. *he %eo%e had ho)e&er no mer$y )ith him )hereon he #egan to insut them

#ut i+e)ise ineffe$tuay. *hen he +no$+ed do)n se&era men #ut )as at ast o&er%o)ered stru$+

and )ounded-

A s)arm of gnats )i o&er%o)er an ee%hant

/es%ite of a his &iriity and #ra&ery.

When the itte ants $om#ine together

*hey tear the s+in of a furious ion.

70



As a matter of ne$essity he agged in the rear of the $ara&an )hi$h rea$hed in the e&ening a o$aity

&ery dangerous on a$$ount of thie&es. *he %eo%e of the $ara&an trem#ed in a their im#s #ut he

said- 'ear nothing #e$ause 0 aone am a#e to $o%e )ith fifty men and the other youths of the $ara&an

)i aid me.' *hese #oastfu )ords $omforted the heart of the $ara&an7%eo%e )ho #e$ame gad of his

$om%any and $onsidered it in$um#ent u%on themse&es to su%%y him )ith food and )ater. *he fire of

the young man's stoma$h ha&ing #a4ed into fames and de%ri&ed his hands of the #ride of enduran$e

hunger made him %arta+e of some morses of food and ta+e a fe) draughts of )ater ti the de& of his

interior )as set at rest and he fe asee%. An e%erien$ed od feo) )ho )as in the $ara&an said- '"

ye %eo%e 0 am more afraid of this guard of yours than of the thie&es #e$ause there is a story that a

stranger had a$$umuated some dirhems #ut $oud not see% in the house for fear of the Luris.

A$$ordingy he in&ited one of his friends to dis%e the terrors of soitude #y his $om%any. 3e s%ent

se&era nights )ith him ti he #e$ame a)are that he had money and too+ it going on a journey after

s%ending it. When the %eo%e sa) the stranger na+ed and )ee%ing the net morning a man as+ed-

What is the matter, =erha%s a thief has stoen those dirhems of mine, 3e re%ied- o #y Aah.

*he guard has stoen them.'

0 ne&er sat se$ure from a ser%ent

*i 0 earnt )hat his $ustom )as.

*he )ound from a foe's tooth is se&ere

Who a%%ears to #e a friend in the eyes of men.

'3o) do you +no) )hether this man is not one of the #and of thie&es and has foo)ed us as a s%y to

inform his $omrades on the %ro%er o$$asion, A$$ording to my o%inion )e ought to de%art and et him

see%.' *he youths a%%ro&ed of the od man's ad&i$e and #e$ame sus%i$ious of the athete too+ u%

their #aggage and de%arted ea&ing him asee%. 3e +ne) this )hen the sun shone u%on his shoudersand %er$ei&ed that the $ara&an had started. 3e roamed a#out a great dea )ithout finding the )ay and

thirsty as )e as dismayed as he )as he sat do)n on the ground )ith his heart ready to %erish

saying-

Who )i s%ea+ to me after the yeo) $ames ha&e de%arted,

A stranger has no $om%anion e$e%t a stranger.

3e uses harshness to)ards strangers

Who has not himsef #een eied enough.

*he %oor man )as s%ea+ing thus )hist the son of a +ing )ho ha%%ened to #e in a hunting %arty

strayed far from the troo%s )as standing o&er his head istening. 3e oo+ed at the figure of the

athete sa) that his out)ard a%%earan$e )as res%e$ta#e #ut his $ondition misera#e. 3e then as+ed

him )hen$e he had $ome and ho) he had faen into this %a$e. *he athete #riefy informed him of

)hat had ta+en %a$e )hereon the roya %rin$e mo&ed #y %ity %resented him )ith a ro#e of honour

and a arge sum of money and sent a $onfidentia man to a$$om%any him ti he again rea$hed his

nati&e to)n. 3is father )as gad to see him and e%ressed gratitude at his safety. 0n the e&ening he

narrated to his father )hat had #efaen him )ith the #oat mentioned the &ioen$e of the #oatman the

harshness of the rusti$s near the )e and the trea$hery of the $ara&an %eo%e on the road. *he father

re%ied- '6y son ha&e not 0 tod thee at thy de%arture that the #ra&e hands of em%ty7handed %ersons

are i+e the #ro+en %a) of a ion,'

71



3o) )e has that em%ty7handed fighter said-

'A grain of god is #etter than fifty mann of strength.'

*he son re%ied- '" father thou )it $ertainy not o#tain a treasure e$e%t #y trou#e )it not

o&er$ome thy foe uness thou ha4ardest thy ife and )it not gather a har&est uness thou s$atterest

seed. =er$ei&est thou not ho) mu$h $omfort 0 gained at the $ost of the sma amount of trou#e 0

under)ent and )hat a uantity of honey 0 ha&e #rought in return for the sting 0 ha&e suffered.

Athough not more $an #e a$uired than fate has de$reed

egigen$e in stri&ing to a$uire is not $ommenda#e.

0f a di&er fears the $ro$odie's throat

3e )i ne&er $at$h the %ear of great %ri$e.

*he nether mistone is immo&a#e and therefore must #ear a hea&y oad.

What )i a fier$e ion de&our at the #ottom of his den,

What food does a faen ha)+ o#tain,

0f thou desirest to $at$h game at home

*hou must ha&e hands and feet i+e a s%ider.

*he father said to his son- '"n this o$$asion hea&en has #een %ro%itious to thee and good u$+ he%fu

so that a roya %erson has met thee has #een #ountifu to thee and has there#y heaed thy #ro+en

$ondition. Su$h $oin$iden$es o$$ur sedom and rare e&ents $annot #e re$+oned u%on.'

*he hunter does not $at$h e&ery time a ja$+a.0t may ha%%en that some day a tiger de&ours him.

*hus it ha%%ened that one of the +ings of =ares )ho %ossessed a ring )ith a $osty #ea4e on$e )ent

out #y )ay of di&ersion )ith some intimate $ourtiers to the 6asaa of Shira4 and ordered his ring to

#e %a$ed on the dome of Asad %romising to #esto) the sea7ring u%on any %erson )ho $oud ma+e

an arro) %ass through it. 0t ha%%ened that e&ery one of the four hundred ar$hers in his ser&i$e missed

the ring e$e%t a itte #oy )ho )as shooting arro)s in s%ort at random and in e&ery dire$tion from

the fat roof of a monastery. *he morning #ree4e $aused his arro) to %ass through the ring )hereon

he o#tained not ony the ring #ut aso a ro#e of honour and a %resent of money. 0t is reated that the

#oy #urnt his #o) and arro)s and on #eing as+ed for the $ause re%ied- '*hat the first s%endour may

#e %ermanent.'

0t sometimes ha%%ens that an enightened sage

0s not su$$essfu in his %ans.

Sometimes it ha%%ens that an ignorant $hid

By mista+e hits the target )ith his arro).

Story 2F

0 heard that a der&ish sitting in a $a&e had $osed the doors u%on the fa$e of the )ord so that no

regard for +ings and ri$h %ersons remained in the eyes of his desire.

72



Who o%ens to himsef a door for #egging

Wi ti he dies remain a needy feo).

A#andon greediness and #e a +ing

Be$ause a ne$+ )ithout desire is high.

"ne of the +ings of that region sent him the information that trusting in the good manners of the

res%e$ted der&ish he ho%ed he )oud %arta+e of #read and sat )ith him. *he shei+h agreed #e$ause it

is a$$ording to the sonna to a$$e%t an in&itation. *he net day the +ing %aid him a &isit the a'#id. ea%t

u% em#ra$ed him $aressed him and %raised him. After the monar$h's de%arture the shei+h )as as+ed

#y one of his $om%anions )hy he had against his $ustom %aid so many attentions to the %adshah the

i+e of )hi$h he had ne&er seen #efore. 3e re%ied- '3ast thou not heard that one of the %ious said-

0n )hose $om%any thou hast #een sitting

*o do him ser&i$e thou must ne$essariy rise.

=ossi#y an ear may during a ifetime ot hear the sound of drum ute or fife.

*he eye may #e )ithout the sight of a garden.

*he #rain may #e )ithout the rose or nasrin.

0f no feather %io) #e at hand

See% may #e had )ith a stone under the head

And if there #e no s)eetheart to see% )ith

*he hand may #e %a$ed on one's o)n #osom

But this disre%uta#e t)isting #ey

Cannot #ear to eist )ithout anything.'

73



Chapter I*

)n the Ad&antages of Silence

Story 1

0 said to a friend that 0 ha&e $hosen rather to #e sient than to s%ea+ #e$ause on most o$$asions good

and #ad )ords are s$attered $on$urrenty #ut enemies %er$ei&e ony the atter. 3e re%ied- '*hat enemy

is the greatest )ho does not see any good.'

*he #rother of enmity %asses not near a good man

E$e%t to $onsider him as a most )i$+ed iar.

:irtue is to the eyes of enmity the greatest faut.Sa'di is a rose #ut to the eye of enemies a thorn.

*he )ord iumining sun and fountain of ight

Loo+ ugy to the eye of the moe.

Story 2

A mer$hant ha&ing suffered oss of a thousand dinars enjoined his son not to re&ea it to anyone. *he

#oy said- '0t is thy order and 0 sha not te it #ut thou must inform me of the utiity of this %ro$eeding

and of the %ro%riety of $on$eament.' 3e re%ied- 'or fear the misfortune )oud #e dou#e( namey

the oss of the money and se$ondy the joy of neigh#ours at our oss.'

<e&ea not thy grief to enemies

Be$ause they )i say 'La hau' #ut rejoi$e.

Story

An inteigent youth %ossessed an a#undant share of a$$om%ishments and dis$reet #eha&iour so that

he )as ao)ed to sit in assem#ies of earned men #ut he refrained from $on&ersing )ith them. 3is

father on$e as+ed him )hy he did not i+e)ise s%ea+ on su#je$ts he )as a$uainted )ith. 3e re%ied-

'0 fear 0 may #e as+ed )hat 0 do not +no) and #e %ut to shame.'

3ast thou heard ho) a Sufi dro&e

A fe) nais under his sandas

And an offi$er ta+ing him #y the see&e

Said to him- 'Come and shoe my horse.'

or )hat thou hast not said no one )i trou#e thee

But )hen thou hast s%o+en #ring the %roof.

Story

74

http://classics.mit.edu/Sadi/gulistan.6.v.html



A s$hoar of note had a $ontro&ersy )ith an un#eie&er #ut #eing una#e to $o%e )ith him in

argument shoo+ his head and retired. Someone as+ed him ho) it $ame to %ass that )ith a his

eouen$e and earning he had #een una#e &anuish an irreigious man. 3e re%ied- '6y earning is

in the 9uran in tradition and in the sayings of shei+hs )hi$h he neither #eie&es in nor istens to.

*hen of )hat use is it to me to hear him #as%heming,'

*o him of )hom thou $anst not rid thysef #y the 9uran and tradition

*he #est re%y is if thou dost not re%y anything.

Story 5

Gaenus sa) a foo hanging on )ith his hands to the $oar of a earned man and insuting him

)hereon he said- '0f he )ere earned he )oud not ha&e $ome to this %ass )ith an ignorant man.'

*)o )ise men do not $ontend and uarre

or does a s$hoar fight )ith a $ontem%ti#e feo).0f an ignorant man in his rudeness s%ea+s harshy

An inteigent man tendery re$on$ies his heart.

*)o %ious men +ee% a hair #et)een them untorn

And so does a mid )ith a headstrong man.

0f ho)e&er #oth sides are foos

0f there #e a $hain they )i sna% it.

An i7humoured man insuted someone.

3e #ore it and re%ied- '" man of ha%%y issue

0 am )orse than thou $anst say that 0 am

Be$ause 0 +no) thou art not a)are of my fauts as 0 am.

Story D

Su#han :ai is $onsidered to ha&e had no eua in rhetori$s #e$ause he had addressed an assem#y

during a year and had not re%eated the same )ord #ut )hen the same meaning ha%%ened to o$$ur he

e%ressed it in another manner and this is one of the a$$om%ishments of $ourtiers and %rin$es.

A )ord if heart7#inding and s)eet

0s )orthy of #eief and of a%%ro#ation.

When thou hast on$e said it do not utter it again

Be$ause s)eets on$e %arta+en of suffi$e.

Story

0 heard a %hioso%her say that no one has e&er made a $onfession of his o)n foy e$e%t he )ho

#egins s%ea+ing )hist another has not yet finished his ta+.

Words ha&e a head " shre)d man and a tai.

/o not insert thy )ords #et)een )ords of others.

*he %ossessor of dei#eration inteigen$e and shre)dness

/oes not say a )ord ti he sees sien$e.

75



Story 8

Se&era offi$ias of Sutan 6ahmud as+ed 3asan 6uimandi one day )hat the sutan had tod him

a#out a $ertain affair. 3e re%ied- '@ou must yourse&es ha&e heard it.' *hey rejoined- 'What he says to

thee he does not thin+ %ro%er to $ommuni$ate to the i+e of us.' 3e ans)ered- 'Be$ause he trusts that 0

sha not re&ea it. *hen )hy do you as+ me to do so,'

A +no)ing man )i not utter e&ery )ord )hi$h o$$urs to him.

0t is not %ro%er to endanger one's head for the +ing's se$ret.

Story F

0 )as hesitating in the $on$usion of a #argain for the %ur$hase of a house )hen a ?e) said- 'Buy it for

0 am one of the andhoders of this )ard. As+ me for a des$ri%tion of the house as it is and it has no

defe$t.' 0 re%ied- 'E$e%t that thou art the neigh#our of it.'

A house )hi$h has a neigh#our i+e thee

0s )orth ten dirhems of a defi$ient standard

But the ho%e must #e entertained

*hat after thy death it )i #e )orth a thousand.

Story 1

A %oet )ent to an amir of ro##ers and re$ited a %anegyri$ #ut he ordered him to #e di&ested of his

ro#e. As the %oor man )as de%arting na+ed in the )ord he )as atta$+ed from #ehind #y dogs

)hereon he intended to snat$h u% a stone #ut it )as fro4en to the ground and #eing una#e to do sohe e$aimed- 'What )hore7sons of men are these, *hey ha&e et oose the dogs and ha&e tied do)n

the stones.' *he amir of the ro##ers )ho heard these )ords from his room aughed and said- '"

%hioso%her as+ something from me.' 3e re%ied- '0 as+ for my ro#e if thou )it ma+e me a %resent of

it.'

We are satisfied of thy gift #y de%arture.

A man )as ho%ing for the gifts of %eo%e.

0 ho%e no gift from thee. /o me no e&i.

*he ro##er $hief too+ %ity u%on him ordered his ro#e to #e restored to him and added to it a

shee%s+in ja$+et )ith some dirhems.

Story 11

An astrooger ha&ing entered his o)n house sa) a stranger and getting angry #egan to insut him

)hereon #oth fe u%on ea$h other and fought so that turmoi and $onfusion ensued. A %ious man )ho

had the s$ene e$aimed-

'3o) +no)est thou )hat is in the 4enith of the s+y

0f thou art not a)are )ho is in thy house,'

76



Story 12

A %rea$her imagined his misera#e &oi$e to #e %easing and raised useess shouts thou )oudst ha&e

said that the $ro) of se%aration had #e$ome the tune of his song( and the &erse7 for the most

detesta#e of &oi$es is surey the &oi$e of asses7 a%%ears to ha&e #een a%%i$a#e to him. *his disti$h

aso $on$erns him-

When the %rea$her A#u77ares #rays

At his &oi$e 0sta+har7ares ua+es.

"n a$$ount of the %osition he o$$u%ied the inha#itants of the o$aity su#mitted to the hardshi% and

did not thin+ %ro%er to moest him. 0n $ourse of time ho)e&er another %rea$her of that region )ho

#ore se$ret enmity to)ards him arri&ed on a &isit and said to him- '0 ha&e dreamt a#out thee may it

end )e!' 'What hast thou dreamt,' '0 dreamt that thy &oi$e had #e$ome %easant and that the %eo%e

)ere $omforta#e during thy sermons.' *he %rea$her meditated a )hie on these )ords and then said-

'*hou hast dreamt a #essed dream #e$ause thou hast made me a)are of my defe$t. 0t has #e$ome+no)n to me that 0 ha&e a disagreea#e &oi$e and that the %eo%e are dis%eased )ith my oud reading.

A$$ordingy 0 ha&e determined hen$eforth not to address them e$e%t in a su#dued &oi$e'-

0 am dis%eased )ith the $om%any of friends

*o )hom my #ad uaities a%%ear to #e good.

*hey fan$y my fauts are &irtues and %erfe$tion.

6y thorns they #eie&e to #e rose and jessamine.

Say+ Where is the #od and ui$+ enemy

*o ma+e me a)are of my defe$ts,

3e )hose fauts are not tod him

0gnoranty thin+s his defe$ts are &irtues.

Story 1

A man used to shout su%erfuous $as to %rayers in the mosue of Sinjar and in a &oi$e )hi$h

dis%eased a )ho heard it. *he o)ner of the mosue )ho )as a just and &irtuous amir not desirous

to gi&e him %ain said- '6y good feo) in this mosue there are od mue44ins' to ea$h of )hom 0 %ay

fi&e dinars monthy #ut to thee 0 sha gi&e ten if thou )it go to another %a$e.' *he man agreed and

)ent a)ay. Some time after)ards ho)e&er he returned to the amir and said- '6y ord thou hast

injured me #y turning me a)ay for ten dinars from this %a$e #e$ause )here 0 net )ent they offered

me t)enty dinars to go to another o$aity #ut 0 refused.' *he amir smied and said- 'By no means

a$$e%t them #e$ause )i gi&e thee e&en fifty dinars.'

o one $an s$ra%e the mud from gra&e )ith an ae

As thy dis$ordant shouting s$ra%es the heart.

Story 1

A feo) )ith a disagreea#e &oi$e ha%%ened to #e reading the 9uran )hen a %ious man %assed near

and as+ed him )hat his monthy saary )as. 3e re%ied- 'othing.' 3e further inuired- '*hen )hy

ta+est thou this trou#e,' 3e re%ied- '0 am reading for God's sa+e.' 3e re%ied- 'or God's sa+e do not

77



read.'

0f thou readest the 9uran thus

*hou )it de%ri&e the reigion of s%endour.

78



Chapter *

)n ,o&e and -outh

Story 1

3asan 6aimundi )as as+ed that as the Sutan 6ahmud %ossesses so many #eautifu sa&es ea$h of

)hom is a mar&e in the )ord ho) it ha%%ens that he manifests to)ards none of them so mu$h

in$ination and o&e as to 0ya4 athough he is not more handsome than the others. 3e re%ied-

'Whate&er des$ends into the heart a%%ears good to the eye.'

3e )hose murid' the sutan is

0f he does e&erything #ad it )i #e good.

But he )hom the %adshah thro)s a)ayWi not #e $ared for #y anyone in the househod.

0f anyone oo+s )ith an unfa&oura#e eye

E&en the figure of ?ose%h )i indi$ate uginess

And if he oo+s )ith the eye of desire on a demon

3e )i a%%ear an ange a $heru# in his sighJ.

Story 2

0t is said that a genteman %ossessed a sa&e of euisite #eauty )hom he regarded )ith o&e and

affe$tion. 3e ne&ertheess said to a friend- 'Woud that this sa&e of mine )ith a the #eauty and good

uaities he %ossesses had not a ong and un$i&i tongue!' 3e re%ied- 'Brother do not e%e$t ser&i$e

after %rofessing friendshi%( #e$ause )hen reations #et)een o&er and #eo&ed $ome in the reations

#et)een master and ser&ant are su%erseded'-

When a master )ith a fairy7fa$ed sa&e

Begins to %ay and to augh

What )onder if the atter $ouets i+e the master

And the genteman #ears it i+e a sa&e,

A sa&e is to dra) )ater and ma+e #ri$+s.

A %am%ered sa&e )i stri+e )ith the fist.

Story

0 sa) a reigious man )ho had faen in o&e )ith a feo) to su$h a degree that he had neither

strength to remain %atient nor to #ear the ta+ of the %eo%e #ut )oud not reinuish his atta$hment

des%ite of the re%roa$hes he suffered and the grief he #ore saying-

0 sha not et go my hod of thy s+irt

E&en if thou stri+e me )ith a shar% s)ord.After thee 0 ha&e no refuge nor asyum.

79

http://classics.mit.edu/Sadi/gulistan.7.vi.html



*o thee aone 0 sha fee if 0 fee.

0 on$e re%roa$hed him as+ing him )hat had #e$ome of his euisite intee$t so that it had #een

o&er$ome #y his #ase %ro$i&ity. 3e meditated a )hie and then said-

'Where&er o&e has #e$ome sutan

=iety's arm has no strength eft.

3o) $an a he%ess feo) i&e %urey

Who has sun+ u% to his ne$+ in im%urity,'

Story

"ne had ost his heart and #idden fare)e to his ife #e$ause the target )hi$h he aimed at )as in a

dangerous o$aity %ortending destru$tion and no $han$e %romising a morse easiy $oming to the

%aate nor a #ird faing into the tra%.

When thy s)eetheart's eye has no regard for god

6ud and god are of eua &aue to thee.

0 on$e ad&ised him to a#andon his as%iration to a fan$y im%ossi#e of reai4ation #e$ause many

%ersons are ensa&ed #y the same %assion i+e himsef the feet of their hearts #eing in $hains. 3e

amented and said-

'*e my friends not to gi&e me ad&i$e

Be$ause my eyes are fied on her )ishes.

By the strength of fist and shouders )arriorsSay enemies #ut s)eethearts a friend.'

0t is against the reuirements of o&e to renoun$e affe$tion to our s)eethearts for fear of osing our

i&es.

*hou )ho art a sa&e to thy sefishness

Art menda$ious in the game of o&e.

0f there #e no )ay to rea$h the friend

riendshi% demands to die in %ursuit of it.

0 rise as no other sour$e is eft to me

*hough the foe may smite me )ith arro) and s)ord.

0f $han$e ser&es me 0 sha ta+e hod of her see&e.

"r ese 0 sha go and die on her threshod.

3is friends )ho $onsidered his %osition %itied his state ga&e him ad&i$e and at ast $onfined him #ut

a to no %ur%ose.

Aas that the %hysi$ian shoud %res$ri#e %atien$e

Whereas this greedy ust reuires sugar.

3ast thou heard that the mistress se$rety

80



*od him )ho had ost his heart-

'As ong as thou %ossessest thy o)n dignity

What )i mine amount to in thy eyes,'

0t is reated that the roya %rin$e )ho )as the o#je$t of his affe$tion had #een informed to the effe$t

that a good7natured and s)eet7s%o+en youth )as $onstanty attending on the %ain uttering gra$efu

)ords( and strange taes ha&ing #een heard of him it a%%eared that his heart is infamed and that he

has a tou$h of insanity in his head. *he #oy +ne) that his heart had #e$ome atta$hed to him and that

he had raised this dust of $aamity. A$$ordingy he gao%ed to)ards him. When the youth %er$ei&ed

the %rin$e a%%roa$hing him he )e and said-

'3e )ho has sain me has $ome #a$+ again.

0t seems his heart #urns for him )hom he has sain.'

Athough he a$$osted the youth gra$iousy as+ing him )hen$e he $ame and )hat his o$$u%ation )as

he )as so %unged in the de%ths of the o$ean of o&e that he $oud not #reathe-

0f thou re$itest the se&en %ortions of the esson #y heart

When thou art demented #y o&e thou +no)est not the A B C.

*he %rin$e said- 'Why s%ea+est thou not to me, 0 aso #eong to the $ir$e of der&ishes( nay 0 am e&en

in their ser&i$e.' 0n $onseuen$e of the for$e of the friendy ad&an$es of his #eo&ed he raised his

head from the dashing )a&es of o&e and said-

'0t is a mar&e that )ith thy eisten$e mine remains

*hat )hen thou s%ea+est )ords to me remain.'

Saying these )ords he uttered a shout and surrendered his ife.

0t )oud not #e strange if he had #een sain at his tent door

But it )oud #e strange that if ai&e he shoud es$a%e safe.

Story 5

A s$hoo#oy )as so %erfe$ty #eautifu and s)eet7&oi$ed that the tea$her in a$$ordan$e )ith human

nature $on$ei&ed su$h an affe$tion to)ards him that' he often re$ited the foo)ing &erses-

0 am not so itte o$$u%ied )ith thee " hea&eny fa$e

*hat remem#ran$e of mysef o$$urs to my mind.

rom thy sight 0 am una#e to )ithdra) my eyes

Athough )hen 0 am o%%osite 0 may see that an arro) $omes.

"n$e the #oy said to him- 'As thou stri&est to dire$t my studies dire$t aso my #eha&iour. 0f thou

%er$ei&est anything re%ro&a#e in my $ondu$t athough it may seem a%%ro&a#e to me inform me

thereof that 0 may endea&our to $hange it.' 3e re%ied- '" #oy ma+e that reuest to someone ese

#e$ause the eyes )ith )hi$h 0 oo+ u%on thee #ehod nothing #ut &irtues.'

81



*he i7)ishing eye #e it torn out

Sees ony defe$ts in his &irtue.

But if thou %ossessest one &irtue and se&enty fauts

A friend sees nothing e$e%t that &irtue.

Story D

0 remem#er that one night a dear friend of mine entered )hen 0 jum%ed u% in su$h a heedess )ay that

the am% )as etinguished #y my see&e. A &ision a%%eared in the night and #y its a%%earan$e the

dar+ness )as iuminated.

0 )as ama4ed at my u$+ e$aiming )hen$e this fei$ity,

3e too+ a seat and #egan re%ro&ing me saying that )hen 0 #ehed him 0 etinguished the am%. 0 said-

'0 thought the sun had risen and )its ha&e said-

When an ugy %erson $omes #efore the am%

Arise to him and %u him into the assem#y

But if it #e a sugar7smied s)eet7i%%ed one

=u him #y the see&e and etinguish the am%.'

Story

"ne )ho had for a $onsidera#e time not seen his friend as+ed him )here he had #een and said he had

#een onging. 3e re%ied- '*o #e onging is #etter than to #e satisfied.'

*hou hast $ome ate " intoi$ated ido

We sha not soon et go thy s+irt from the hand.

3e )ho sees his s)eetheart at ong inter&as

0s after a #etter off than if he sees too mu$h of her.

When thou $omest )ith friends to &isit me

Athough thou $omest in %ea$e thou art atta$+ing.

0f my s)eetheart asso$iates one moment )ith strangers

0t )ants #ut itte and 0 die of jeaousy.

She said smiing- '0 am the am% of the assem#y " Sa'di

What is it to me if a moth +is itsef,'

Story 8

0 remem#er ho) in former times 0 and another friend +e%t $om%any )ith ea$h other i+e t)o amond

+ernes in one s+in. Suddeny a se%aration too+ %a$e #ut after a time )hen my $om%anion returned

he $ommen$ed to #ame me for not ha&ing sent him a messenger during it. 0 re%ied- '0 thought it

)oud #e a %ity that the eyes of a messenger shoud #e #rightened #y thy #eauty and 0 de%ri&ed

thereof.'

*e my od friend not to gi&e me ad&i$e )ith the tongue

82



Be$ause e&en a s)ord )i not $om%e me to re%ent.

0 am jeaous that anyone shoud see thee to satiety.

Again 0 say that no one )i #e satiated.

Story F

0 +ne) a earned man )ho had faen in o&e )ith someone #ut his se$ret ha&ing faen from the &ei

of $on$eament into %u#i$ity he endured a#undant %erse$ution and dis%ayed #oundess %atien$e. 0

said on$e to him #y )ay of $onsoation- '0 +no) thou entertainest no )ordy moti&e nor in$ination

for #aseness. 0t is ne&ertheess un#e$oming the dignity of a s$hoar to e%ose himsef to sus%i$ions

and to #ear the %erse$utions of manneress %ersons.' 3e re%ied- '" friend ta+e off the hand of

re%roa$h from my s+irt #e$ause 0 ha&e often meditated on the o%inion )hi$h thou entertainest #ut

ha&e found it easier to #ear %erse$ution for his sa+e than not to see him( and %hioso%hers ha&e said

that it is easier to a$$ustom the heart to strife than to turn a)ay the eye from seeing the #eo&ed.

Who has his heart )ith a heart7ra&isher3as his #eard in another's hand.

A ga4ee )ith a hater on the ne$+

0s not a#e to )a+ of its o)n a$$ord.

0f he )ithout )hom one $annot a#ide

Be$omes insoent it must #e endured.

0 one day tod him to #e)are of his friend

But 0 often as+ed %ardon for that day.

A friend does not a#andon a friend.

0 su#mit my heart to )hat he )is.

Whether he +indy $as me to himsef"r dri&es me a)ay in anger he +no)s #est.

Story 1

0n the eu#eran$e of youth as it usuay ha%%ens and as thou +no)est 0 )as on the $osest terms of

intima$y )ith a s)eetheart )ho had a meodious &oi$e and a form #eautifu i+e the moon just rising.

3e the do)n of )hose $hee+ drin+s the )ater of immortaity

Whoe&er oo+s at his sugar i%s eats s)eetmeats.

0 ha%%ened to noti$e something in his #eha&iour )hi$h )as $ontrary to nature and not a%%ro&ed of #y

me. A$$ordingy 0 gathered u% my s+irt from him and %i$+ing u% the %ie$es of the $hess7game of

friendshi% re$ited-

'Go and do as thou istest.

*hou hast not our head( foo) thine.'

0 heard him saying )hen he )ent a)ay-

'0f the #at desires not union )ith the sun

*he #eauty of the sun )i not de$rease.'

83



Saying this he de%arted and his distress too+ effe$t on me-

0 ost the time of union and man is ignorant

"f the &aue of deightfu ife #efore ad&ersity.

Return+ Say me. or to die in thy %resen$e

0s more s)eet than to i&e after thee.

*han+s #e to the #ounty of God he returned some time after)ards #ut his meodious &oi$e had

$hanged his ?ose%h i+e #eauty had faded on the a%%e of his s+in dust had setted as u%on a uin$e

so that the s%endour of his #eauty had de%arted. 3e )anted me to em#ra$e him. 0 $om%ied and said-

'"n the day )hen thou hadst a #eauteous in$i%ient #eard

*hou dro&est him )ho desired the sight from thy sight.

*oday thou $amest to ma+e %ea$e )ith him

But hast ehi#ited athah and ammah.

3is fresh s%ring is gone and he has #e$ome yeo).

Bring not the +ette #e$ause our fire is etinguished.

3o) ong )it thou strut a#out sho)ing arrogan$e

0magining fei$ity )hi$h has ea%sed,

Go to him )ho )i %ur$hase thee.

Couet )ith him )ho as+s for thee.

*hey said- :erdure in the garden is %easing.

3e +no)s it )ho utters these )ords. amey heartfet affe$tion for that green ine

as$inates the hearts of o&ers more and more.

*hy garden is a #ed of ee+s.

*he more thou )eedest it the more they gro).

Whether thou %u$+est out thy #eard or not

*his ha%%iness of youthfu days must end.

3ad 0 the %o)er of ife as thou of the #eard

0 )oud not et it end ti resurre$tion7day.

0 as+ed and said- What has #efaen the #eauty of thy fa$e

*hat ants are $ra)ing round the moon,

3e re%ied smiing- 0 +no) not )hat is the matter )ith my fa$e.

=erha%s it )ears #a$+ as mourning for my #eauty.'

Story 11

0 as+ed one of the %eo%e of Baghdad )hat he thought of #eardess youths. 3e re%ied- '*here is no

good in them for )hen one of them is yet dei$ate and )anted he is insoent( #ut )hen he #e$omes

rough and is not )anted he is affa#e.'

When a #eardess youth is #eautifu and s)eet

84



3is s%ee$h is #itter his tem%er hasty.

When his #eard gro)s and he attains %u#erty

3e asso$iates )ith men and see+s affe$tion.

Story 12

"ne of the uemma had #een as+ed that su%%osing one sits )ith a moon7fa$ed #eauty in a %ri&ate

a%artment the doors #eing $osed $om%anions asee% %assion infamed and ust raging as the Ara#

says the date is ri%e and its guardian not for#idding )hether he thought the %o)er of a#stinen$e

)oud $ause the man to remain in safety. 3e re%ied- '0f he remains in safety from the moon7fa$ed

one he )i not remain safe from e&i s%ea+ers.'

0f a man es$a%es from his o)n #ad ust

3e )i not es$a%e from the #ad sus%i$ions of a$$users.

0t is %ro%er to sit do)n to one's o)n )or+But it is im%ossi#e to #ind the tongues of men.

Story 1

A %arrot ha&ing #een im%risoned in a $age )ith a $ro) )as &eed #y the sight and said- 'What a

oathsome as%e$t is this! What an odious figure! What $ursed o#je$t )ith rude ha#its! $ro) of

se%aration )oud that the distan$e of the east from the )est )ere #et)een us.'

Whoe&er #ehods thee )hen he rises in the morning

*he morn of a day of safety #e$omes e&ening to him.An i7omened one i+e thysef is fit to +ee% thee $om%any

But )here in the )ord is one i+e thee,

6ore strange sti the $ro) )as simiary distressed #y the %roimity of the %arrot and ha&ing

#e$ome disgusted )as shouting 'La hau' and amenting the &i$issitudes of time. 3e ru##ed the $a)s

of sorro) against ea$h other and said- 'What i7u$+ is this, What #ase destiny and $hameeoni+e

times, 0t )as #efitting my dignity to strut a#out on a garden7)a in the so$iety of another $ro).

'0t is suffi$ient im%risonment for a de&ote

*o #e in the same sta#e )ith %rofigates.

'What sin ha&e 0 $ommitted that 0 ha&e aready in this ife as a %unishment for it faen into the #onds

of this $aamity in $om%any )ith su$h a $on$eited un$ongenia and heedess foo,'

o one )i a%%roa$h the foot of the )a

>%on )hi$h they %aint thy %ortrait.

0f thy %a$e )ere in %aradise

"thers )oud see$t. he.

0 ha&e added this %ara#e to et thee +no) that no matter ho) mu$h a earned man may hate an

ignorant man the atter hates him euay.

85



A hermit )as among %rofigates

When one of them a Ba+hi #eauty said-

'0f thou art tired of us sit not sour

or thou art thysef #itter in our midst.'

An assem#y joined together i+e roses and tui%s!

*hou art )ithered )ood gro)ing in its midst

Li+e a $ontrary )ind and un%easant frost

Li+e sno) inert i+e i$e #ound fast.

Story 1

0 had a $om%anion )ith )hom 0 had tra&eed for years and eaten sat. Boundess intima$y su#sisted

#et)een us ti at ast he suffered my mind to #e grie&ed for the sa+e of some %atry gain and our

friendshi% $osed. /es%ite of an this ho)e&er mutua atta$hment of heart sti su#sisted #et)een us

#e$ause 0 heard him one day re$iting in an assem#y the foo)ing t)o disti$hs of my $om%osition-

When my s)eetheart enters s)eety smiing

She adds more sat to my #eeding )ound.

3o) )oud it #e if the ti% of her $urs fe into my hand

Li+e the see&e of the #ountifu into the hands of der&ishes,

Some friends #ore )itness not so mu$h to the gra$efuness of these &erses as to the #eauty of my

$ondu$t )hi$h they a%%ro&ed( and among the rest the said friend i+e)ise added his share of %raise

regretting the oss of our former $om%anionshi% and $onfessing his faut so that his affe$tion #e$ame

+no)n. A$$ordingy 0 sent the foo)ing disti$hs and made %ea$e-

Was not there a $o&enant of friendshi% #et)een us,

*hou hast #een $rue and not o&ing.

0 on$e tied my heart to thee disregarding the )ord.

ot +no)ing thou )oudst turn #a$+ so soon.

0f thou yet desirest $on$iiation return

Be$ause thou )it #e more #eo&ed than #efore.

Story 15

*he #eautifu )ife of a man died #ut her mother a de$re%it od hag remained in the house on a$$ount

of the do)ry. *he man sa) no means of es$a%ing from $onta$t )ith her unti a $om%any of friends

%aid him a &isit of $ondoen$e and one of them as+ed him ho) he #ore the oss of his #eo&ed. 3e

re%ied- '0t is not as %ainfu not to see my )ife as to see the mother of my )ife.'

*he rose has #een destroyed and the thorn remained.

*he treasure has #een ta+en and the ser%ent eft.

0t is #etter that one's eye #e fied on a s%ear7head

*han that it shoud #ehod the fa$e of an enemy.

0t is in$um#ent to se&er $onne$tion )ith a thousand friends

<ather than to #ehod a singe foe.

86



Story 1D

0 remem#er ha&ing in the days of my youth %assed through a street intending to see a moon7fa$ed

#eauty. 0t )as in *emu4 )hose heat dried u% the sai&a in the mouth and )hose simum #oied the

marro) in my #ones. 6y )ea+ human nature #eing una#e to endure the s$or$hing sun 0 too+ refuge

in the shado) of a )a )ishing someone might reie&e me from the summer heat and uen$h my fire

)ith some )ater( and o a of a sudden from the dar+ness of the %or$h of a house a ight shone forth

namey a #eauty the gra$e of )hi$h the tongue of eouen$e is una#e to des$ri#e. She $ame out i+e

the rising da)n after an o#s$ure night or the )ater of immortaity gushing from a dar+ $a&ern

$arrying in her hand a #o) of sno)7)ater into )hi$h sugar had #een %oured and essen$e of roses

mied. 0 +ne) not )hether she had %erfumed it )ith rose7)ater or )hether a fe) dro%s from her rosy

fa$e had faen into it. 0n short 0 too+ the #e&erage from her #eautifu hands dran+ it and #egan to

i&e again.

*he thirst of my heart $annot #e uen$hed

By si%%ing im%id )ater e&en if 0 drin+ o$eans of it.

Bessed is the man of ha%%y destiny )hose eye

Aights e&ery morning on su$h a $ountenan$e.

"ne drun+ of )ine a)a+ens at midnight

"ne drun+ of the $u%#earer on the morn of resurre$tion.

Story 1

0n the year )hen 6uhammad ;ho&are4m Shah $on$uded %ea$e )ith the +ing of ;hata to suit his

o)n %ur%ose 0 entered the $athedra mosue of ;ashgar and sa) an etremey handsome gra$efu #oy as des$ri#ed in the simie-

*hy master has taught thee to $ouet and to ra&ish hearts

0nstru$ted thee to o%%ose to day to #ame and to #e se&ere.

A %erson of su$h figure tem%er stature and gait

0 ha&e not seen( %erha%s he earnt these tri$+s from a fairy.

3e )as hoding in his hand the introdu$tion to ama+sharni's Ara#i$ synta and re$iting- aid stru$+

Amru and )as the injurer of Amru. 0 said- 'Boy! ;ho&are4m and ;hata ha&e $on$uded %ea$e and the

uarre #et)een aid and Amru sti su#sists!' 3e smied and as+ed for my #irth%a$e. 0 re%ied- '*he

soi of Shira4.' 3e $ontinued- 'What remem#erest thou of the $om%ositions of Sa'di,' 0 re$ited-

'0 am tired #y a nah&i )ho ma+es a furious atta$+

>%on me i+e aid in his o%%osition to Amru.

When aid su#mits he does not raise his head

And ho) $an ee&ation su#sist )hen su#mission is the regent,

3e $onsidered a)hie and then said- '6ost of his %oetry $urrent in this $ountry is in the =ersian

anguage. 0f thou )it re$ite some it )i #e more easiy understood.' *hen 0 said-

'When thy nature has enti$ed thee )ith synta

0t #otted out the form of intee$t from our heart.

87



Aas the hearts of o&ers are $a%ti&e in thy snare.

We are o$$u%ied )ith thee #ut thou )ith Amru and aid.'

*he net morning )hen 0 )as a#out to de%art some %eo%e tod him that 0 )as Sa'di )hereon he

$ame running to me and %oitey e%ressed his regret that 0 had not re&eaed my identity #efore so that

he might ha&e girded his oins to ser&e me in to+en of the gratitude due to the %resen$e of a great man.

0n s%ite of thy %resen$e no &oi$e $ame to say- 0 am he.

3e aso said- 'What )oud it #e if thou )ert to s%end in this $ountry some days in re%ose that )e

might deri&e ad&antage #y ser&ing thee,' 0 re%ied- '0 $annot on a$$ount of the foo)ing ad&enture

)hi$h o$$urred to me-

0 #ehed an iustrious man in a mountain region

Who had $ontentedy retired from the )ord into a $a&e.Why said 0 $omest thou not into the $ity

or on$e to rea the #onds of thy heart,

3e re%ied- 'airy7fa$ed maidens are there.

When $ay is %entifu ee%hants )i stum#e.'

*his 0 said. *hen )e +issed ea$h other's heads and fa$es and too+ ea&e of ea$h other.

What %rofits it to +iss a friend's fa$e

And at the same time to ta+e ea&e of him,

*hou )oudst say that he )ho %arts from friends is an a%%e."ne haf of his fa$e is red and the other yeo).

0f 0 die not of grief on the day of se%aration

<e$+on me not faithfu in friendshi%.

Story 18

A man in %at$hed garments' a$$om%anied us in a $ara&an to the 3eja4 and one of the Ara# amirs

%resented him )ith a hundred dinars to s%end u%on his famiy #ut ro##ers of the ;ufat$ha tri#e

suddeny fe u%on the $ara&an and ro##ed it $ean of e&erything. *he mer$hants #egan to )ai and to

$ry uttering &ain shouts and amentations.

Whether thou im%orest or $om%ainest

*he ro##er )i not return the god again.

*he der&ish aone had not ost his euanimity and sho)ed no $hange. 0 as+ed- '=erha%s they ha&e not

ta+en thy money,' 3e re%ied- '@es they ha&e #ut 0 )as not so mu$h a$$ustomed to that money that

se%aration therefrom $oud grie&e my heart'-

*he heart must not #e tied to any thing or %erson

Be$ause to ta+e off the heart is a diffi$ut affair.

88



0 re%ied- 'What thou hast said resem#es my $ase #e$ause )hen 0 )as young my intima$y )ith a

young man and my friendshi% for him )ere su$h that his #eauty )as the 9i#ah of my eye and the

$hief joy of my ife union )ith him'-

=erha%s an ange in hea&en #ut no morta

Can #e on earth eua in #eauty of form to him.

0 s)ear #y the amity after )hi$h $om%anionshi% is ii$it

o human s%erm )i e&er #e$ome a man i+e him.

A of a sudden the foot of his ife san+ into the mire of non7eisten$e. *he smo+e of se%aration arose

from his famiy. 0 +e%t him $om%any on his gra&e for many days and one of my $om%ositions on his

oss is as foo)s-

Woud that on the day )hen the thorn of fate entered thy foot

*he hand of hea&en had stru$+ a s)ord on my head(

So that this day my eye $oud not see the )ord )ithout thee.3ere 0 am on thy gra&e )oud that it )ere o&er my head.

3e )ho $oud ta+e neither rest nor see%

Before he had first s$attered roses and nar$issi.

*he turns of hea&en ha&e stre)n the roses of his fa$e.

*horns and #ram#es are gro)ing on his tom#.

After se%aration from him 0 reso&ed and firmy determined to fod u% the $ar%et of %easure during

the rest of my ife and to retire from miing in so$iety-

Last night 0 strutted a#out i+e a %ea$o$+ in the garden of union

But today through se%aration from my friend 0 t)ist my head i+e a sna+e.

*he %rofit of the sea )oud #e good if there )ere no fear of )a&es.

*he $om%any of the rose )oud #e s)eet if there )ere no %ain from thorns.

Story 1F

A +ing of the Ara#s ha&ing #een informed of the reations su#sisting #et)een Laia and 6ejnun )ith

an a$$ount of the atter's insanity to the effe$t that he had in s%ite of his great a$$om%ishments and

eouen$e $hosen to roam a#out in the desert and to et go the reins of sef7$ontro from his hands( he

ordered him to #e #rought to his %resen$e and this ha&ing #een done he #egan to re%ro&e him and to

as+ him )hat defe$t he had dis$o&ered in the no#iity of the human sou that he ado%ted the ha#its of

#easts and a#andoned the so$iety of man+ind. 6ejnun re%ied-

'6any friends ha&e #amed me for o&ing her.

Wi they not see her one day and understand my e$use,'

Woud that those )ho are re%ro&ing me

Coud see thy fa$e " ra&isher of hearts

*hat instead of a emon in thy %resen$e

*hey might heedessy $ut their hands.

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*hat the truth may #ear )itness to the assertion- *his is he for )hose sa+e ye #amed me.

*he +ing e%ressed a )ish to see the #eauty of Laia in order to as$ertain the $ause of so mu$h

distress. A$$ordingy he ordered her to #e sear$hed for. *he en$am%ments of &arious Ara# famiies

ha&ing #een &isited she )as found $on&eyed to the +ing and ed into the $ourtyard of the %aa$e. *he

+ing oo+ed at her out)ard form for some time and she a%%eared des%i$a#e in his sight #e$ause the

meanest handmaids of his harem e$eed her in #eauty and attra$tions. 6ejnun )ho shre)dy

understood the thoughts of the +ing said- '0t )oud ha&e #een ne$essary to oo+ from the )indo) of

6ejnun's eye at the #eauty of Laia )hen the mystery of her as%e$t )oud ha&e #een re&eaed to thee.'

0f the re$ord of the gade )hi$h entered my ears

3ad #een heard #y the ea&es of the gade they )oud ha&e amented )ith me.

" $om%any of friends say to him )ho is un$on$erned

'Woud that thou +ne)est )hat is in a %ining heart

Who are heathy ha&e no %ain from )ounds.

0 sha te my grief to no one #ut a sym%athi4er.

0t is useess to s%ea+ of #ees to one

Who ne&er in his ife fet their sting.

As ong as thy state is not i+e mine

6y state )i #e #ut an ide tae to thee.

Story 2

0t is reated that the a4i of 3amdan ha&ing $on$ei&ed affe$tion to)ards a farrier7#oy and thehorseshoe of his heart #eing on fire he sought for some time to meet him roaming a#out and see+ing

for o%%ortunities a$$ording to the saying of $hroni$ers-

*hat straight ta $y%ress my eyes #ehed

0t ro##ed me of my heart and thre) me do)n.

*hose )anton eyes ha&e ta+en my heart )ith a asso.

0f thou desirest to %reser&e thy heart shut thy eyes.

0 )as informed that the #oy )ho had heard something of the a4i's %assion ha%%ening to meet him in

a thoroughfare manifested immense )rath assaied the a4i )ith disres%e$tfu and insuting )ords

snat$hed u% a stone and eft no injury untried. *he a4i said to an uemma of re%ute )ho ha%%ened to

#e of the same o%inion )ith him-

'Loo+ at that s)eetheart and his getting angry

And that #itter +not of his s)eet eye#ro).'

*he Ara# says- 'A sa% from a o&er is a raisin.

A #o) from the hand on the mouth

0s s)eeter than eating #read )ith one's o)n hand.

0n the same )ay the #oy's im%uden$e might #e indi$ating +indness as %adshahs utter hard )ords

90



)hist they se$rety )ish for %ea$e-

Gra%es yet unri%e are sour.

Wait t)o or three days they )i #e$ome s)eet.

After saying these )ords he returned to his $ourt of justi$e )here some res%e$ta#e men $onne$ted

)ith him +issed the ground of ser&i$e and said- 'With thy %ermission )e sha doing o#eisan$e s%ea+

some )ords to thee athough they may #e $ontrary to %oiteness #e$ause iustrious men ha&e said-

0t is not %ermissi#e to argue on e&ery to%i$.

*o find faut )ith great men is )rong.

'But as in $onseuen$e of fa&ours $onferred #y thy ordshi% in former times u%on thy ser&ants it

)oud #e a +ind of trea$hery to )ithhod the o%inion they entertain they inform thee that the %ro%er

)ay is not to yied to thy in$inations $on$erning this #oy #ut to fod u% the $ar%et of as$i&ious

desires #e$ause thy dignity as a4i is high and must not #e %outed #y a #ase $rime. *he $om%anionthou hast seen is this and our )ords thou hast heard are these-

"ne )ho has done many disre%uta#e things

Cares nothing for the re%utation of anyone.

6any a good name of fifty years

Was trodden under foot #y one #ad name.

*he a4i a%%ro&ed of the unanimous ad&i$e of his friends and a%%re$iated their good o%inion as )e

as their steadfast fideity saying that the &ie) ta+en #y his #eo&ed friends on the arrangement of his

$ase )as %erfe$ty right and their arguments admitting of no $ontradi$tion. e&ertheess-

Athough o&e $eases in $onseuen$e of re%ro&a

0 heard that just men sometimes $on$o$t fasehoods.

Bame me as mu$h as thou istest

Be$ause #a$+ness $annot #e )ashed off from a negro.

othing $an #ot out my remem#ran$e of thee.

0 am a sna+e )ith #ro+en head and $annot turn.

*hese )ords he said and sent some %ersons to ma+e inuiries a#out him s%ending #oundess money

#e$ause it is said that )hoe&er has god in his hand %ossesses strength of arm and he )ho has no

)ordy goods has no friends in the )hoe )ord-

Whoe&er has seen god droo%s his head

Athough he may #e hard to #end i+e iron7#a$+ed s$aes.

0n short one night he o#tained %ri&a$y #ut during that night the %oi$e o#tained information that the

a4i is s%ending the )hoe of it )ith )ine in his hand and a s)eetheart on his #osom enjoying

himsef not see%ing and singing-

3as this $o$+ %erha%s not $ro)ed at the %ro%er time this night

91



And ha&e the o&ers not had their fi of em#ra$e and +iss

Whist aas for ony a moment the eye of $onfusion is asee%,

<emain a)a+e that ife may not ea%se in &ain

*i thou hearest the morning $a from the riday7mosue

"r the noise of +ette7drums on Ata#e+'s %aa$e7gate.

Li%s against i%s i+e the $o$+'s eye

Are not to %art at the $ro)ing of a siy $o$+.

Whist the a4i )as in this state one of his de%endants entered and said- 'Arise and run as far as thy

feet )i $arry thee #e$ause the en&ious ha&e not ony o#tained a hande for &eation #ut ha&e s%o+en

the truth. We may )hist the fire of $onfusion is yet #urning o) %er$han$e etinguish it )ith the

)ater of stratagem #ut )hen it #a4es u% high it may destroy a )ord.' *he a4i ho)e&er re%ied-

'When the ion has his $a)s on the game

What #oots it if a ja$+a ma+es his a%%earan$e,

;ee% thy fa$e on the fa$e of the friend and ea&e*he foe to $he) the #a$+ of his o)n hand in rage.'

*he same night information )as aso #rought to the +ing that in his ream su$h a )i$+edness had #een

%er%etrated and he )as as+ed )hat he thought of it. 3e re%ied- '0 +no) that he is one of the most

earned men and 0 a$$ount him to #e the %aragon of our age. As it is %ossi#e that enemies ha&e

de&ised a %ot against him 0 gi&e no $redit to this a$$usation uness 0 o#tain o$uar e&iden$e #e$ause

%hioso%hers ha&e said-

3e )ho gras%s the s)ord in haste

Wi re%enting $arry the #a$+ of his hand to his teeth and #ite it.'

0 heard that at da)n the +ing )ith some of his $ourtiers arri&ed at the %io) of the a4i sa) a am%

standing the s)eetheart sitting the )ine s%ied the go#et #ro+en and the a4i %unged in the see%

of drun+enness una)are of the ream of eisten$e. *he +ing a)a+ened him genty and said- 'Get u%

for the sun has risen.' *he a4i )ho %er$ei&ed the state of affairs as+ed- 'rom )hat dire$tion,' *he

sutan )as astonished and re%ied- 'rom the east as usua.' *he a4i e$aimed- '=raise #e to Aah!

*he door of re%entan$e is yet o%en #e$ause a$$ording to tradition the gate "f re%entan$e )i not #e

o$+ed against )orshi%%ers ti the sun rises in its setting %a$e.'

*hese t)o things im%eed me to sin-

6y i7u$+ and my im%erfe$t understanding.

0f thou gi&est me %unishment 0 deser&e it

And if thou forgi&est %ardon is #etter than re&enge.

*he +ing re%ied- 'As thou +no)est that thou must suffer $a%ita %unishment it is of no use to re%ent.

But their faith a&aied them not after they had #ehoden our &engean$e.

'What is the use to %romise to forego thie&ing

When a asso $annot #e thro)n u% to the %aa$e,

Say to the ta man- /o not %u$+ the fruit

or he )ho is short $annot rea$h the #ran$h.

92



'or thee )ho hast $ommitted su$h )i$+edness there is no )ay of es$a%e.' After the +ing had uttered

these )ords the men a%%ointed for the ee$ution too+ hod of him )hereon he said- '0 ha&e one )ord

more to s%ea+ in the ser&i$e of the sutan.' *he +ing )ho heard him as+ed- 'What is it,' And he

re$ited-

'*hou )ho sha+est the see&e of dis%easure u%on me

E%e$t not that 0 sha )ithdra) my hand from thy s+irt.

0f es$a%e #e im%ossi#e from this $rime )hi$h 0 $ommitted

0 trust to the $emen$y )hi$h thou %ossessest.'

*he +ing re%ied- '*hou hast addu$ed this )onderfu say and hast enoun$ed a strange maim #ut it is

im%ossi#e a$$ording to reason and $ontrary to usage that thy a$$om%ishments and eouen$e shoud

this day sa&e thee from the %unishment )hi$h 0 ha&e de$reed( and 0 $onsider it %ro%er to thro) thee

headong from the $aste that others may ta+e an eam%e.' 3e $ontinued- '" ord of the )ord 0 ha&e

#een nourished #y the #ounty of this dynasty and this $rime )as not $ommitted ony #y me in the

)ord. *hro) another man headong that 0 may ta+e the eam%e.' *he +ing #urst out aughing %ardoned his $rime and said to his de%endents )ho desired the a4i to #e sain-

'E&eryone of you )ho are #earers of your o)n fauts

"ught not to #ame others for their defe$ts.'

Story 21

A &irtuous and #eauteous youth

Was %edged to a $haste maiden.

0 read that in the great sea*hey fe into a &orte together.

When a saior $ame to ta+e his hand

Lest he might die in that $ondition

3e said in anguish from the )a&es-

'Lea&e me. *a+e the hand of my o&e.'

Whist saying this he des%aired of ife.

0n his agony he )as heard to e$aim-

'Learn not the tae of o&e from the )ret$h

Who forgets his #eo&ed in distress.'

*hus the i&es of the o&ers terminated.

Learn from )hat has o$$urred that thou mayest +no)

Be$ause Sa'di is of the )ays and means of o&e affairs

We a)are in the Ara#ian $ity of Baghdad.

*ie thy heart to the heart7$harmer thou %ossessest

And shut thy eye to a the rest of the )ord.

0f 6ejnun and Laia )ere to $ome to ife again

*hey might indite a tae of o&e on this o$$urren$e.

93



Chapter *I

)n .eaness and )ld Age

Story 1

0 )as hoding a dis%utation )ith a $om%any of earned men in the $athedra mosue of /amas$us

)hen a youth ste%%ed among us as+ing )hether anyone +ne) =ersian )hereon most of them %ointed

to me. 0 as+ed him )hat the matter )as and he said that an od man aged one hundred and fifty years

)as in the agony of death #ut saying something in =ersian )hi$h no#ody $oud understand and that if

0 )ere +indy to go and see him 0 might o#tain the information )hether he )as %erha%s desirous of

ma+ing his ast )i. When 0 a%%roa$hed his %io) he said-

'A )hie ago 0 said 0 sha ta+e some restBut aas the )ay of my #reath is $ho+ed.

Aas that from the &ariegated #anuet of ife

We )ere eating a )hie and tod it is enough.'

0 inter%reted these )ords in the Ara#i$ anguage to the /amas$enes and they )ere astonished that

des%ite of his ong ife he regretted the termination of it so mu$h. 0 as+ed him ho) he fet and he

re%ied- 'What sha 0 say,'

3ast thou not seen )hat misery he fees

*he teeth of )hose mouth are #eing etra$ted,

Consider )hat his state )i #e at the hour

When ife so %re$ious to him a#andons his #ody.

0 tod him not to )orry his imagination )ith the idea of death and not to ao) a hau$ination to

o#tain dominion o&er his nature #e$ause 0onian %hioso%hers ha&e said that athough the $onstitution

may #e good no reian$e is to #e %a$ed on its %ermanen$e and athough a maady may #e %erious it

does not im%y a fu indi$ation of death. 0 as+ed- '0f thou art )iing 0 sha $a a %hysi$ian to treat

thee,' 3e ifted his eyes and said smiing-

'*he s+ied do$tor stri+es his hands together

"n #ehoding a ri&a %rostrate i+e a %otsherd.

A genteman is engaged in adorning his ha )ith %aintings

Whist the &ery foundation of the house is ruined.

An aged man )as amenting in his ast agony

Whist his od s%ouse )as ru##ing him )ith sanda.

When the euii#rium of the $onstitution is destroyed

either in$antations nor medi$ines are of any a&ai.'

Story 2

0t is reated that an od man ha&ing married a gir )as sitting )ith her %ri&atey in an a%artment

94

http://classics.mit.edu/Sadi/gulistan.8.vii.html



adorned )ith roses fiing his eyes and heart u%on her. 3e did not see% during ong nights #ut s%ent

them in teing her jo+es and )itty stories ho%ing to gain her affe$tion and to $onuer her shyness.

"ne night ho)e&er he informed her that u$+ had #een friendy to her and the eye of fortune a)a+e

#e$ause she had #e$ome the $om%anion of an od man )ho is ri%e edu$ated e%erien$ed in the

)ord of a uiet dis%osition )ho had fet $od and )arm had tried good and #ad )ho +no)s the

diities of $om%anionshi% is ready to fufi the $onditions of o&e is #ene&oent +ind good7natured

and s)eet7tongued.

As far as 0 am a#e 0 sha hod thy heart

And if injured 0 sha not injure in return.

*hough sugar may #e thy food as of a %arrot

0 sha sa$rifi$e s)eet ife to thy su%%ort.

*hou hast not faen into the hands of a giddy youth fun of )hims headstrong fi$+e minded

running a#out e&ery moment in sear$h of another %easure and entertaining another o%inion see%ing

e&ery night in another %a$e and ta+ing e&ery day another friend.

@oung men are joyous and of handsome $ountenan$e

But in$onstant in fideity to anyone.

E%e$t not faithfuness from nightingaes

Who sing e&ery moment to another rose.

Contrary to aged men )ho s%end their i&es a$$ording to )isdom and %ro%riety( not a$$ording to the

im%uses of foy and youth.

ind one #etter than thysef and $onsider it fortunateBe$ause )ith one i+e thysef thou )it #e disa%%ointed.

*he od man said- '0 $ontinued in this strain thin+ing that 0 had $a%ti&ated her heart and that it had

#e$ome my %rey.' She dre) ho)e&er a dee% sigh from her grief7fied heart and said- 'A the )ords

thou hast uttered )eighed in the s$aes of my understanding are not eui&aent to the maim 0 on$e

heard enoun$ed in my tri#e- An arro) in the side of a young )oman is #etter than an od man.'

When she %er$ei&ed in the hands of her hus#and

Something %endant i+e the nether i% of a fasting man

She said- '*his feo) has a $or%se )ith him

But in$antations are for see%ers not for $or%ses.'

A )oman )ho arises )ithout satisfa$tion from a man

Wi raise many a uarre and $ontention.

An od man )ho is una#e to rise from his %a$e

E$e%t #y the aid of a sti$+ ho) $an his o)n sti$+ rise,

0n short there #eing no %ossi#iity of harmony a se%aration at ast too+ %a$e. When the time of the

ady's uddat had terminated she )as gi&en in marriage to a young man )ho )as &ioent i7humoured

and em%ty7handed. She suffered mu$h from his #ad tem%er and tyranni$a #eha&iour and e%erien$ed

the miseries of %enury. She ne&ertheess said- '=raise #e to Aah for ha&ing #een dei&ered from that

)ret$hed torment and attained this %ermanent #essing.'

95



/es%ite of a this &ioen$e and hasty nature

0 sha try to %ease thee #e$ause thou art #eauteous.

*o #e )ith thee in he #urning is for me

Better than to #e )ith the other in %aradise.

*he sme of an onion from the mouth of a %retty fa$e

0s indeed #etter than a rose from an ugy hand.

A ni$e fa$e and a go)n of god #ro$ade

Essen$e of roses fragrant aoes %aint %erfume and ust-

A these are ornaments of )omen.

*a+e a man( and his testi$es are a suffi$ient ornament.

Story

0 )as in /iar#e+r the guest of an od man )ho %ossessed a#undant )eath and a #eautifu son. "ne

night he narrated to me that he had a his ife no other son #ut this #oy teing me that in the o$aity %eo%e resorted to a $ertain tree in a &aey to offer %etitions and that he had during many nights

%rayed at the foot of the said tree ti the Amighty granted him this son. 0 o&erheard the #oy

)his%ering to his $om%anion- '3o) good it )oud #e if 0 +ne) )here that tree is that 0 might %ray for

my father to die.' 6ora- *he genteman is deighted that his son is inteigent and the #oy $om%ains

that his father is a dotard.

@ears ea%se )ithout thy &isiting

*he tom# of thy father.

What good hast thou done to him

*o e%e$t the same from thy son,

Story

"ne day in the %ride of youth 0 had tra&eed hard and arri&ed %erfe$ty ehausted in the e&ening at

the foot of an a$$i&ity. A )ea+ od man )ho had i+e)ise #een foo)ing the $ara&an $ame and

as+ed me )hy 0 )as see%ing this not #eing the %a$e for it. 0 re%ied- '3o) am 0 to tra&e ha&ing ost

the use of my feet,' 3e said- '3ast thou not heard that it is #etter to )a+ genty and to hat no) and

then than to run and to #e$ome ehausted,'

" thou )ho desirest to rea$h the station

*a+e my ad&i$e and earn %atien$e.

An Ara# horse gao%s t)i$e in a ra$e.

A $ame am#es genty night and day.

Story 5

*he a$ti&e gra$efu smiing s)eet7tongued youth ha%%ened on$e to #e in the $ir$e of our assem#y.

3is heart had #een entered #y no +ind of grief and his i%s )ere s$ar$ey e&er $osed from aughter.

After some time had ea%sed 0 a$$identay met him again and 0 earned that he had married a )ife

and #egotten $hidren #ut 0 sa) that the root of merriment had #een $ut and the roses of his

$ountenan$e )ere )ithered. 0 as+ed him ho) he fet and )hat his $ir$umstan$es )ere. 3e re%ied-

'When 0 had o#tained $hidren 0 eft off $hidishness.'

96



Where is youth )hen age has $hanged my ringets,

And the $hange of time is a suffi$ient monitor.

When thou art od a#stain from %ueriity.

Lea&e %ay and jo+es to youths.

See+ not a youth's hiarity in an od man

or the )ater gone from the #roo+ returns no more.

When the har&est7time of a fied arri&es

0t )i no onger )a&e in the #ree4e i+e a young $ro%.

*he %eriod of youth has de%arted.

Aas for those heart7en$hanting times.

*he for$e of the ion's $a)s is gone.

o) )e are satisfied )ith $heese E+e a eo%ard.

An od hag had dyed her hair #a$+.

0 said to her- '" itte mother of an$ient days

*hou hast $unningy dyed thy hair #ut $onsider

*hat thy #ent #a$+ )i ne&er #e straight.'

Story D

0n the foy of youth 0 one day shouted at my mother )ho then sat do)n )ith a grie&ed heart in a

$orner and said )ee%ing- '3ast thou forgotten thy infan$y that thou art harsh to)ards me,'

3o) s)eety said the od )oman to her son

When she sa) him o&erthro) a tiger and ee%hant7#odied-

'0f thou hadst remem#ered the time of thy infan$y

3o) he%ess thou )ast in my arms

*hou )oud'st this day not ha&e #een harsh

or thou art a ion7i+e man and 0 an od )oman.'

Story

*he son of a )eathy #ut a&ari$ious od man ha&ing faen si$+ his )e7)ishers ad&ised him that it

)oud #e %ro%er to get the )hoe 9uran re$ited or ese to offer a sa$rifi$e. 3e meditated a )hie and

then said- '0t is %refera#e to read the 9uran #e$ause the fo$+ is at a distan$e.' A hoy man )ho had

heard this after)ards remar+ed- '3e see$ted the reading of the 9uran #e$ause it is at the ti% of the

tongue #ut the money at the #ottom of the heart.'

0t is usefu to #end the ne$+ in %rayers

0f they are to #e a$$om%anied #y amsgi&ing.

or one dinar he )oud remain sti$+ing in mud i+e an ass

But if thou as+est for Ahamdu he )i re$ite it a hundred times.

Story 8

97



An od man ha&ing #een as+ed )hy he did not marry re%ied that he $oud not #e ha%%y )ith an aged

)oman and on #eing tod that as he )as a man of %ro%erty he might ta+e a young one he said- '0

#eing an od man and un)iing to asso$iate )ith an od )oman ho) $oud a young one $on$ei&e

friendshi% for me )ho am aged,'

Let not a man of se&enty years ma+e o&e.

*hou art $onfessedy #ind +iss her and see%.

*he ady )ants strength not god.

"ne %assage is %refera#e to her than ten mann of fesh.

Story F

0 ha&e heard that in these days a de$re%it aged man

*oo+ the fan$y in his od head to get a s%ouse.

3e married a #eauteous itte gir ?e)e #y nameWhen he had $on$eaed his $as+et of je)es from the eyes of men

A s%e$ta$e too+ %a$e as is $ustomary in )eddings.

But in the first onsaught the organ of the shei+h fe asee%.

3e s%anned the #o) #ut hit not the target( it #eing

im%ossi#e to se)

A tight $oarse ro#e e$e%t )ith a neede of stee.

3e $om%ained to his friends and sho)ed %roofs

*hat his furniture had #een uttery destroyed #y her im%uden$e.

Su$h fighting and $ontention arose #et)een man and )ife

*hat the affair $ame #efore the a4i( and Sa'di said-'After a this re%roa$h and &iainy the faut is not the gir's.

*hou )hose hand trem#es ho) $anst thou #ore a ?e)e,'

98



Chapter *II

)n the $ffects of $ducation

Story 1

A &e4ier )ho had a stu%id son ga&e him in $harge of a s$hoar to instru$t him and if %ossi#e to ma+e

him inteigent. 3a&ing #een some time under instru$tion #ut ineffe$tuay the earned man sent one

to his father )ith the )ords- '*he #oy is not #e$oming inteigent and has made a foo of me.'

When a nature is originay re$e%ti&e

0nstru$tion )i ta+e effe$t thereon.

o +ind of %oishing )i im%ro&e iron

Whose essen$e is originay #ad.Wash a dog in the se&en o$eans

3e )i #e ony dirtier )hen he gets )et.

0f the ass of ?esus #e ta+en to 6e++ah

3e )i on his return sti #e an ass.

Story 2

A sage instru$ting #oys said to them- '" darings of your fathers earn a trade #e$ause %ro%erty and

ri$hes of the )ord are not to #e reied u%on( aso si&er and god are an o$$asion of danger #e$ause

either a thief may stea them at on$e or the o)ner s%end them graduay( #ut a %rofession is a i&ing

fountain and %ermanent )eath( and athough a %rofessiona man may ose ri$hes it does not matter

#e$ause a %rofession is itsef )eath and )here&er he goes he )i enjoy res%e$t and sit in high %a$es

)hereas he )ho has no trade )i gean $rum#s and see hardshi%s-

0t is diffi$ut to o#ey after osing dignity

And to #ear &ioen$e from men after #eing $aressed.

"n$e $onfusion arose in /amas$us.

E&eryone eft his snug $orner.

Learned sons of %easants

Be$ame the &e4iers of %adshahs.

0m#e$ie sons of the &e4iers

Went as mendi$ants to %easants.

0f you )anted thy father's inheritan$e a$uire his +no)edge

Be$ause this %ro%erty of his may #e s%ent in ten days.

Story

An iustrious s$hoar )ho )as the tutor of a roya %rin$e had the ha#it of stri+ing him

un$eremoniousy and treating him se&erey. *he #oy )ho $oud no onger #ear this &ioen$e )ent to

his father to $om%ain and )hen he had ta+en off his $oat the father's heart )as mo&ed )ith %ity.A$$ordingy he $aed for the tutor and said- '*hou dost not %ermit thysef to induge in so mu$h

99

http://classics.mit.edu/Sadi/gulistan.9.viii.html



$ruety to)ards the $hidren of my su#je$ts as thou infi$test u%on my son. What is the reason,' 3e

re%ied- '0t is in$um#ent u%on a %ersons in genera to $on&erse in a sedate manner and to #eha&e in a

auda#e )ay #ut more es%e$iay u%on %adshahs #e$ause )hate&er they say or do is $ommented on

#y e&ery#ody the utteran$es or a$ts of $ommon %eo%e #eing of no su$h $onseuen$e.

'0f a hundred un)orthy things are $ommitted #y a der&ish

3is $om%anions do not +no) one in a hundred.

But if a %adshah utters ony one jest

0t is #orne from $ountry to $ountry.

'0t is the duty of a roya %rin$e's tutor to train u% the sons of his ord in refinement of moras7and Aah

$aused her to gro) u% as a #eautifu %ant7more diigenty than the sons of $ommon %eo%e.'

3e )hom thou hast not %unished )hen a $hid

Wi not %ros%er )hen he #e$omes a man.

Whie a sti$+ is green thou $anst #end it as thou istest.When it is dry fire aone $an ma+e it straight.

*he +ing #eing %eased )ith the a%%ro%riate dis$i%ine of the tutor and )ith his e%anatory re%y

#esto)ed u%on him a ro#e of honour )ith other gifts and raised him to a higher %osition.

Story

0 sa) a s$hoomaster in the 6aghri# $ountry )ho )as sour7fa$ed of un$outh s%ee$h i7humoured

trou#esome to the %eo%e of a #eggary nature and )ithout sef7restraint so that the &ery sight of him

disgusted the 6usamans and )hen reading the 9uran he distressed the hearts of the %eo%e. Anum#er of inno$ent #oys and itte maidens suffered from the hand of his tyranny &enturing neither to

augh nor to s%ea+ #e$ause he )oud sa% the si&er7$hee+s of some and %ut the $rysta egs of others

into the sto$+s. 0n short 0 heard that )hen his #eha&iour had attained some notoriety he )as e%eed

from the s$hoo and another instaed as $orre$tor )ho ha%%ened to #e a reigious mee+ good and

)ise man. 3e s%o+e ony )hen ne$essary and found no o$$asion to dea harshy )ith anyone so that

the $hidren ost the fear they had entertained for their first master and ta+ing ad&antage of the

angei$ manners of the se$ond they a$ted i+e demons to)ards ea$h other and trusting in his

genteness nege$ted their studies s%ending most of their time in %ay and #rea+ing on the heads of

ea$h other the ta#ets' of their unfinished tas+s.

0f the s$hoomaster ha%%ens to #e enient

*he $hidren )i %ay ea%frog in the #a4ar.

*)o )ee+s after)ards 0 ha%%ened to %ass near that same mosue )here 0 again sa) the first master

)hom the %eo%e had made gad #y re$on$iiation and had reinstaed in his %ost. 0 )as dis%eased

e$aimed 'La hau' and as+ed )hy they had again made 0#is the tea$her of anges. An od man

e%erien$ed in the )ord )ho had heard me smied and said- '3ast thou not heard the maim,

A %adshah %a$ed his son in a s$hoo

=utting in his a% a si&er ta#et

With this ins$ri%tion in goden etters-

*he se&erity of a tea$her is #etter than the o&e of a father.'

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Story 5

*he son of a %ious man inherited great )eath eft him #y some un$es )hereon he %unged into

dissi%ation and %rofiga$y #e$ame a s%endthrift and in short eft no heinous transgression

un%er%etrated and no intoi$ant untasted. 0 ad&ised him and said- '6y son in$ome is a fo)ing )ater

and e%ense a turning mi( that is to say ony he )ho has a fied re&enue is entited to induge in

a#undant e%enses.

'0f thou hast no in$ome s%end #ut frugay

Be$ause the saiors $hant this song-

0f there #e no rain in the mountains

*he #ed of the *igris )i #e dry in one year.

'oo) )isdom and %ro%riety a#andon %ay and s%ort #e$ause thy )eath )i #e ehausted )hereon

thou )it fa into trou#e and )i re%ent.' *he youth )as %re&ented #y the deights of the fute and ofdrin+ from a$$e%ting my admonition #ut found faut there)ith saying that it is $ontrary to the o%inion

of inteigent men to em#itter %resent tranuiity #y $ares $on$erning the future-

Why shoud %ossessors of enjoyment and u$+

Bear sorro) for fear of distress,

Go #e merry my heart7rejoi$ing friend.

*he %ain of tomorro) must not #e eaten today.

And ho) $oud 0 restrain mysef )ho am o$$u%ying the highest seat of i#eraity ha&e #ound the +not

of generosity and the fame of )hose #enefi$en$e has #e$ome the to%i$ of genera $on&ersation,

Who has #e$ome +no)n for his i#eraity and generosity

6ust not %ut a o$+ u%on his dirhems.

When the name of a good feo) has s%read in a o$aity

*he door $annot #e dosed against it.

When 0 %er$ei&ed that he did not a$$e%t my ad&i$e and that my )arm #reath )as not ta+ing effe$t

u%on his $od iron 0 eft off admonishing him and turned a)ay my fa$e from his $om%anionshi%

a$ting a$$ording to the )ords of %hioso%hers )ho said- 0m%art to them )hat thou hast and if they

re$ei&e it not it is not thy faut.

Athough thou +no)est thou )it not #e heard say

Whate&er thou +no)est of good )ishes and ad&i$e.

0t may soon ha%%en that thou )it #ehod a siy feo)

With #oth his feet faen into $a%ti&ity

Stri+ing his hands together and saying- 'Aas

0 ha&e not istened to the ad&i$e of a s$hoar.'

After some time 0 sa) the $onseuen$es of his dissoute #eha&iour7)hi$h 0 a%%rehended7reai4ed.

When 0 #ehed him se)ing %at$h u%on %at$h and gathering $rum# after $rum# my heart )as mo&ed

)ith %ity for his destitute $ondition in )hi$h 0 did not $onsider it humane to s$rat$h his interna

)ounds )ith re%roa$hes or to s%rin+e sat u%on them. A$$ordingy 0 said to mysef-

101



A fooish feo) in the height of intoi$ation

Cares not for the $oming day of distress.

*he tree )hi$h sheds its foiage in s%ring

Wi $ertainy ha&e no ea&es remaining in )inter.

Story D

A %adshah entrusted a tutor )ith the $are of his son saying- '*his is thy son. Edu$ate him as if he

)ere one of thy o)n $hidren.' 3e +e%t the %rin$e for some years and stro&e to instru$t him #ut $oud

effe$t nothing )hist the sons of the tutor made the greatest %rogress in a$$om%ishments and

eouen$e. *he +ing re%ro&ed and threatened the earned man )ith %unishment teing him that he

had a$ted $ontrary to his %romise and had #een unfaithfu. 3e re%ied- '" +ing the instru$tion is the

same #ut the natures are different.'

Athough #oth si&er and god $ome from stonesA stones do not $ontain si&er and god.

Cano%us is shining u%on the )hoe )ord

But %rodu$es in some %a$es sa$+7eather and in others adim.

Story

0 heard a %ir7instru$tor say to his murid- '*he mind of man is so mu$h o$$u%ied )ith thoughts a#out

maintenan$e that he )oud sur%ass the %osition of anges if he )ere to de&ote as many of them to the

gi&er of maintenan$e.'

@a4ed has not forgotten thee at the time

When thou )ast s%erm #uried insensi#e.

3e ga&e thee a sou nature intee$t and %er$e%tion

Beauty s%ee$h o%inion meditation and a$uteness.

3e arranged fi&e fingers on thy fist.

3e fied t)o arms to thy shouders.

" thou )hose as%irations are #ase thin+est he )i no)

orget to %ro&ide thee )ith a maintenan$e,

Story 8

0 sa) an Ara# of the desert )ho said to his #oy- '" son on the day of resurre$tion thou )it #e as+ed

)hat thou hast gained and not from )hom thou art des$ended that is to say thou )it #e as+ed )hat

thy merit is and not )ho thy father )as.'

*he $o&ering of the ;a'#ah )hi$h is +issed

3as not #een enno#ed #y the si+)orm.

0t )as some days in $om%any )ith a &enera#e man

Wherefore it #e$ame res%e$ted i+e himsef.

Story F

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0t is narrated in the $om%ositions of %hioso%hers that s$or%ions are not #orn in the same manner i+e

other i&ing #eings #ut that they de&our the #o)es of their mother and after gna)ing through the

#ey #eta+e themse&es to the desert. *he s+ins )hi$h may #e seen in the nests of s$or%ions are the

e&iden$e of this. 0 narrated this story to an iustrious man )ho then tod me that his o)n heart #ore

)itness to the truth of it for the $ase $oud not #e other)ise inasmu$h as they ha&ing in their infan$y

deat thus )ith their fathers and mothers they )ere #eo&ed and res%e$ted in the same manner )hen

they gro) od.

A father thus admonished his son-

" no#e feo) remem#er this ad&i$e.

'Whoe&er is not faithfu to his origin

Wi not #e$ome the $om%anion of ha%%iness.'

A s$or%ion ha&ing #een as+ed )hy he did not go out in )inter re%ied- 'What honour do 0 enjoy in

summer that 0 shoud $ome out aso in )inter,'

Story 1

*he )ife of a der&ish had #e$ome en$einte and )hen the time of her $onfinement )as at hand the

der&ish )ho had no $hid during a his ife said- '0f God the most high and gorious %resents me )ith

a son 0 sha #esto) e&erything 0 %ossess as ams u%on der&ishes e$e%t this %at$hed garment of

mine )hi$h 0 am )earing.' 0t ha%%ened that the infant )as a son. 3e rejoi$ed and ga&e a #anuet to

the der&ishes as he had %romised. Some years after)ards )hen 0 returned from a journey to Syria 0

%assed near the o$aity of the der&ish and as+ed a#out his $ir$umstan$es #ut )as tod that he had

#een %ut in %rison #y the %oi$e. As+ing for the $ause 0 )as tod that his son ha&ing #e$ome drun+

uarreed and ha&ing shed the #ood of a man had fed( )hereon his father )as instead of him oaded)ith a $hain on his ne$+ and hea&y fetters on his egs. 0 re%ied- '3e had himsef as+ed God the most

high and gorious for this $aamity.'

0f %regnant )omen " man of intee$t

Bring forth ser%ents at the time of #irth

0t is #etter in the o%inion of the )ise

*han to gi&e #irth to a )i$+ed %rogeny.

Story 11

When 0 )as a $hid 0 as+ed an iustrious man a#out %u#erty. 3e re%ied- '0t is re$orded in #oo+s that it

has three signs. irst the age of fifteen years( se$ondy no$turna %outions( and thirdy s%routing of

hair on the %udenda( #ut in reaity there is ony one sign )hi$h is suffi$ient that thou shoudst see+ the

a%%ro#ation of the most high and gorious rather than to #e in the #ondage of sensua %easures( and

)hoe&er does not entertain this dis%osition is #y erudite men $onsidered not to ha&e attained %u#erty.'

*he form of man )as attained #y a dro% of )ater

Whi$h remained forty days in the )om#.

0f in forty years it has not attained sense and %ro%riety

0t $an in reaity not #e $aed a man.

:iriity $onsists in i#eraity and amia#eness.

*hin+ not that it is ony in the materia figure.

103



:irtue is ne$essary #e$ause the form may #e %ainted

0n has )ith &ermiion or &erdigris.

0f a man %ossesses not e$een$e and goodness

What is the differen$e #et)een him and a %i$ture on the )a,

0t is no &irtue to gain the )hoe )ord.

Gain the heart of one %erson if thou $anst.

Story 12

"ne year dis$ord had arisen in a $ara&an among the )a+ing %ortion and 0 aso tra&eed on foot. *o

o#tain justi$e )e atta$+ed ea$h other's heads and fa$es gi&ing fu &ent to %ugna$ity and $ontention. 0

sa) a man sitting in a $ame itter and saying to his $om%anion- '3o) )onderfu! A %a)n of i&ory

tra&es a$ross the $hess7#oard and #e$omes a far4in and the footmen of the 3aj tra&eed a$ross the

)hoe desert ony to #e$ome )orse.'

*e on my %art to the man7#iting 3ajiWho tears the s+ins of %eo%e )ith torments-

*hou art not a 3aji #ut a $ame is one

Be$ause %oor #rute it feeds on thorns and #ears oads.

Story 1

An 0ndian )ho )as earning ho) to thro) na%htha )as thus re%ro&ed #y a sage- '*his is not a %ay for

thee )hose house is made of reeds.'

S%ea+ not uness thou +no)est it is %erfe$ty %ro%erAnd as+ not )hat thou +no)est )i not ei$it a good re%y.

Story 1

A itte man )ith a %ain in his eyes )ent to a farrier to #e treated #y him. *he farrier a%%ied to his

eyes )hat he used to %ut in those of uadru%eds so that the man #e$ame #ind and odged a $om%aint

)ith the judge )ho ho)e&er refrained from %unishing the farrier saying- '3ad this man not #een an

ass he )oud not ha&e gone to a farrier.' *he mora of this story is to et thee +no) that )hoe&er

entrusts an ine%erien$ed man )ith an im%ortant #usiness and after)ards re%ents is #y inteigent

%ersons hed to suffer from e&ity of intee$t.

A shre)d and enightened man )i not gi&e

Affairs of im%ortan$e to a #ase feo) to transa$t.

A mat7ma+er athough em%oyed in )ea&ing

0s not set to )or+ in a si+7fa$tory.

Story 15

An iustrious man had a )orthy son )ho died. Being as+ed )hat he desired to #e )ritten u%on the

sar$o%hagus of the tom# he re%ied- '*he &erses of the gorious #oo+' are deser&ing of more honour

than to #e )ritten on su$h a s%ot )here they )oud #e injured #y the a%se of time )oud #e )a+ed

u%on #y %ersons %assing #y and urinated u%on #y dogs. 0f anything is ne$essariy to #e )ritten et

104



)hat foo)s suffi$e-

Wah! 3o)7e&ery time the %ants in the garden

S%routed7gad #e$ame my heart.

=ass #y " friend that in the s%ring

*hou mayest see %ants s%routing from my oam.'

Story 1D

A %ious man ha%%ened to %ass near a ri$h feo) )ho had a sa&e and )as just $hastising him after

ha&ing tied his feet and hands. 3e said- '6y son God the most high and gorious has gi&en a $reature

i+e thysef into thy %o)er and has #esto)ed u%on thee su%eriority o&er him. Gi&e than+s to the

Amighty and do not induge in so mu$h &ioen$e to)ards the man #e$ause it is not meet that in the

morn of resurre$tion he shoud #e #etter than thysef and %ut thee to shame.'

Be not mu$h in$ensed against a sa&e."%%ress him not grie&e not his heart.

*hou hast %ur$hased him for ten dirhems

And hast not after a $reated him #y thy %o)er.

3o) ong is this $ommand %ride and %o)er to ast,

*here is a 6aster more eated than thou.

" thou o)ner of Arsan and of Aghosh

/o not forget him )ho is thy $ommander.

*here is a tradition that the %rin$e of the )ord u%on )hom #e the #enedi$tion of Aah and %ea$e

has said- '0t )i o$$asion the greatest sorro) on the day of resurre$tion )hen a %ious )orshi%%er is$on&eyed to %aradise and a ord of %rofiga$y to he.'

>%on the sa&e su#je$t to thy ser&i$e

:ent not #oundess anger #ut treat him genty

Be$ause on the day of re$+oning it )i #e a shame

*o see the sa&e free and his o)ner in $hains.

Story 1

"ne year 0 tra&eed from Ba+h )ith /amas$enes and the road #eing fu of danger on a$$ount of

ro##ers a young man a$$om%anied us as an es$ort. 3e )as e%ert )ith the shied and the #o)

handed e&ery )ea%on and so strong that ten men )ere not a#e to s%an his #o)7string. 6oreo&er the

athetes of the fa$e of the earth $oud not #end his #a$+ do)n to the ground. 3e )as ho)e&er ri$h

#rought u% in the shade )ithout e%erien$e in the )ord the drum7sounds of )arriors ne&er ha&ing

rea$hed his ears nor the ightning of the s)ords of horsemen da44ed his eyes.

3e had not faen %risoner into the hands of a foe.

o sho)er of arro)s had rained around him.

0 ha%%ened to #e running together )ith this youth )ho thre) do)n #y the for$e of his arm e&ery )a

that $ame in his )ay and %ued u% #y the strength of his fist e&ery #ig tree he sa) e$aiming

#oastingy-

105



Where is the ee%hant that he may see the shouders of the heroes,

Where is the ion that he may see the fists of men,

"n that o$$asion t)o 0ndians sho)ed their heads from #ehind a ro$+ desirous to atta$+ us. "ne of

them had a $u# in his hand )hist the other sho)ed a sing under his arm. 0 as+ed our youth )hat he

)as )aiting for.

Sho) )hat thou hast of #ra&ery and strength

or here is the foe $oming on his o)n feet to the gra&e.

0 sa) the arro) and #o) faing from the hands of the young man and his #ones trem#ing-

ot e&eryone )ho s%its a hair )ith a $uirass7%ier$ing arro)

Can on the day of atta$+ #y )arriors etri$ate his feet.

We sa) no other remedy #ut to a#andon our #aggage arms and $othes )here#y )e sa&ed our i&es.

Em%oy an e%erien$ed man in im%ortant affairs

Who is a#e to ensnare a fier$e ion )ith his asso.

A youth though he may ha&e a strong arm and ee%hant7#ody

3is joints )i sna% asunder for fear in $onta$t )ith a foe.

*he issue of a #atte is +no)n #y a tried man #efore the $ontest

Li+e the soution of a ega uestion to a earned man.

Story 18

0 noti$ed the son of a ri$h man sitting on the gra&e of his father and uarreing )ith a der&ish7#oy

saying- '*he sar$o%hagus of my father's tom# is of stone and its e%ita%h is eegant. *he %a&ement is of

mar#e tesseated )ith turuois7i+e #ri$+s. But )hat resem#es thy father's gra&e, 0t $onsists of t)o

$ontiguous #ri$+s )ith t)o handfus of mud thro)n o&er it.' *he der&ish7#oy istened to a this and

then o#ser&ed- 'By the time thy father is a#e to sha+e off those hea&y stones )hi$h $o&er him mine

)i ha&e rea$hed %aradise.'

An ass )ith a ight #urden

o dou#t )a+s easiy.

A der&ish )ho $arries ony the oad of %o&erty

Wi aso arri&e ighty #urdened at the gate of death

Whist he )ho i&ed in ha%%iness )eath and ease

Wi undou#tedy on a these a$$ounts die hard.

At a e&ents a %risoner )ho es$a%es from a his #onds

0s to #e $onsidered more ha%%y than an amir ta+en %risoner.

Story 1F

0 as+ed an iustrious man for the reason of the tradition- A$$ount as an enemy the %assion )hi$h is

#et)een thy t)o oins. 3e re%ied- '*he reason is #e$ause )hate&er enemy thou %ro%itiatest #e$omes

106



thy friend )hereas the more thou indugest in a %assion the more it )i o%%ose thee.'

6an attains angei$ nature #y eating s%aringy

But if he #e &ora$ious i+e #easts he fas i+e a stone.

3e )hose )ishes thou fufiest )i o#ey thy $ommand

Contrary to %assion )hi$h )i $ommand )hen o#eyed.

Story 2

Contention of Sa'di )ith a /is%utant $on$erning Weath and =o&erty

0 sa) a man in the form #ut not )ith the $hara$ter of a der&ish sitting in an assem#y )ho had #egun

a uarre( and ha&ing o%ened the re$ord of $om%aints re&ied )eathy men aeging at ast that the

hand of %o)er of der&ishes to do good )as tied and that the foot of the intention of )eathy men to do

good )as #ro+en.

*he i#era ha&e no money.

*he )eathy ha&e no i#eraity.

0 )ho had #een $herished #y the )eath of great men $onsidered these )ords offensi&e and said- '6y

good friend the ri$h are the in$ome of the destitute and the hoarded store of re$uses the o#je$ts of

%igrims the refuge of tra&eers the #earers of hea&y oads for the reief of others. *hey gi&e re%asts

and %arta+e of them to feed their de%endants and ser&ants the sur%us of their i#eraities #eing

etended to )ido)s aged %ersons reati&es and neigh#ours.'

*he ri$h must s%end for %ious uses &o)s and hos%itaity*ithes offerings manumissions gifts and sa$rifi$es.

3o) $anst thou attain their %o)er of doing good )ho art a#e

*o %erform ony the %rayer7fe$tions and these )ith a hundred distra$tions,

0f there #e effi$a$y in the %o)er to #e i#era and in the a#iity of %erforming reigious duties the ri$h

$an attain it #etter #e$ause they %ossess money to gi&e ams their garments are %ure their re%utation

is guarded their hearts are at eisure. 0nasmu$h as the %o)er of o#edien$e de%ends u%on ni$e morses

and $orre$t )orshi% u%on eegant $othes it is e&ident that hungry #o)es ha&e #ut itte strength an

em%ty hand $an afford no i#eraity sha$+ed feet $annot )a+ and no good $an $ome from a hungry

#ey.

3e see%s trou#ed in the night

Who has no su%%ort for the morro).

*he ant $oe$ts in summer a su#sisten$e

or s%ending the )inter in ease.

reedom from $are and destitution are not joined together and $omfort in %o&erty is an im%ossi#iity.

A man )ho is ri$h is engaged in his e&ening de&otions )hist another )ho is %oor is oo+ing for his

e&ening mea. 3o) $an they resem#e ea$h other,

3e )ho %ossesses means is engaged in )orshi%.

Whose means are s$attered his heart is distra$ted.

107



*he )orshi% of those )ho are $omforta#e is more i+ey to meet )ith a$$e%tan$e their minds #eing

more attenti&e and not distra$ted or s$attered. 3a&ing a se$ure in$ome they may attend to de&otion.

*he Ara# says- '0 ta+e refuge )ith Aah against #ase %o&erty and neigh#ours )hom 0 do not o&e.

*here is aso a tradition- =o&erty is #a$+ness of fa$e in #oth )ords.'

3e retorted #y as+ing me )hether 0 had heard the =ro%het's saying- =o&erty is my gory. 0 re%ied-

'3ush! *he %rin$e of the )ord auded to the %o&erty of )arriors in the #attefied of a$uies$en$e

and of su#mission to the arro) of destiny( not to those )ho don the %at$hed gar# of righteousness #ut

se the does of food gi&en them as ams.'

" drum of high sound and nothing )ithin

What )it thou do )ithout means )hen the strugge $omes,

*urn a)ay the fa$e of greed from %eo%e if thou art a man.

*rust not the rosary of one thousand #eads in thy hand.

A der&ish )ithout di&ine +no)edge rests not unti his %o&erty $uminates in un#eief( for %o&erty is

amost infideity #e$ause a nude %erson $annot #e $othed )ithout money nor a %risoner i#erated.

3o) $an the i+e of us attain their high %osition and ho) does the #esto)ing resem#e the re$ei&ing

hand, ;no)est thou not that God the most high and gorious mentions in his re&eaed )ord the

=easures of %aradise7*hey sha ha&e a $ertain %ro&ision in %aradise7to inform thee that those )ho are

o$$u%ied )ith $ares for a su#sisten$e are e$uded from the fei$ity of %iety and that the ream of

eisure is under the ring of the $ertain %ro&ision.

*he thirsty oo+ in their see%

"n the )hoe )ord as a s%ring of )ater.

Where&er thou #ehodest one )ho has e%erien$ed destitution and tasted #itterness thro)ing himsef

)i$+edy into fearfu ad&entures and not a&oiding their $onseuen$es he fears not the %unishment of

@a4ed and does not dis$riminate #et)een )hat is i$it or ii$it.

*he dog )hose head is tou$hed #y a $od of earth

Lea%s for joy imagining it to #e a #one.

And )hen t)o men ta+e a $or%se on their shouders

A greedy feo) su%%oses it to #e a ta#e )ith food.

But the %ossessor of )eath is regarded )ith a fa&oura#e eye #y the Amighty for the a)fu a$ts he

has done and %reser&ed from the una)fu a$ts he might $ommit. Athough 0 ha&e not fuy e%ained

this matter nor addu$ed arguments 0 rey on thy sense of justi$e to te me )hether thou hast e&er seen

a mendi$ant )ith his hands tied u% to his shouders or a %oor feo) sitting in %rison or a &ei of

inno$en$e rent or a guity hand am%utated e$e%t in $onseuen$e of %o&erty, Lion7hearted men )ere

on a$$ount of their ne$essities $a%tured in mines )hi$h they had dug to ro# houses and their hees

)ere %erforated. 0t is aso %ossi#e that a der&ish im%eed #y the $ra&ings of his ust and una#e to

restrain it may $ommit sin #e$ause the stoma$h and the seua organs are t)ins that is to say they

are the t)o $hidren of one #ey and as ong as one of these is $ontented the other )i i+e)ise #e

satisfied. 0 heard that a der&ish had #een seen $ommitting a )i$+ed a$t )ith a youth and athough he

had #een %ut to shame he )as aso in danger of #eing stoned. 3e said- '" 6usamans 0 ha&e no

%o)er to marry a )ife and no %atien$e to restrain mysef. What am 0 to do, *here is no monasti$ism

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in 0sam. Among the num#er of $auses %rodu$ing interna tranuiity and $omfort in )eathy %eo%e

the fa$t may #e re$+oned that they ta+e e&ery night a s)eetheart in their arms and may e&ery day

$ontem%ate a youth )hose #rightness e$es that of the shining morn and $auses the feet of )a+ing

$y%resses to $on$ea themse&es a#ashed.

=unging the fist into the #ood of #eo&ed %ersons

/ying the finger7ti%s )ith the $oour of the juju#e7fruit.

0t is im%ossi#e that )ith his #eauteous stature he shoud %ro) around %rohi#ited things or entertain

intentions of ruin to himsef.

3o) $oud he )ho too+ as #ooty a 3uri of %aradise

*a+e any noti$e of the #enes of @aghma,

Who has #efore him fresh dates )hi$h he o&es

3as no need to thro) stones on $usters u%on trees.

6osty em%ty handed %ersons %oute the s+irt of modesty #y transgression and those )ho are hungry

stea #read.

When a fero$ious dog has found meat

3e as+s not )hether it is of the $ame of Saeh or the ass of /ujja.

What a num#er of modest )omen ha&e on a$$ount of %o&erty faen into $om%ete %rofiga$y

thro)ing a)ay their %re$ious re%utation to the )ind of dishonour!

With hunger the %o)er of a#stinen$e $annot a#ide.

=o&erty snat$hes the reins from the hands of %iety.

Whist 0 )as uttering these )ords the der&ish ost the #ride of %atien$e from his hands dre) forth

the s)ord of his tongue $aused the steed of eouen$e to $a%er in the %ain of re%roa$h and said-

'*hou hast #een so %rofuse in this %anegyri$ of )eathy men and hast ta+ed so mu$h nonsense that

they might #e su%%osed to #e the antidote to %o&erty or the +ey to the storehouse of %ro&isions(

)hereas they are a handfu of %roud arrogant $on$eited and a#omina#e feo)s intent u%on

a$$umuating %ro%erty and money and so thirsting for dignity and a#undan$e that they do not s%ea+

to %oor %eo%e e$e%t )ith insoen$e and oo+ u%on them )ith $ontem%t. *hey $onsider s$hoars to

#e mendi$ants and insut %oor men on a$$ount of the )eath )hi$h they themse&es %ossess and the

gory of dignity )hi$h they imagine is inherent in them. *hey sit in the highest %a$es and #eie&e

they are #etter than anyone ese. *hey ne&er sho) +indness to any#ody and are ignorant of the maim

of sages that he )ho is inferior to others in %iety #ut su%erior in ri$hes is out)ardy %o)erfu #ut in

reaity a destitute man.

0f a )ret$h on a$$ount of his )eath is %roud to a sage

Consider him to #e the %ode of an ass though he may #e a %erfumed o.'

0 said- '/o not thin+ it ao)a#e to insut them for they are %ossessors of generosity.' 3e rejoined-

'*hou art mista+en. *hey are sa&es of money. "f )hat use is it that they are i+e #u+y $ouds and

rain not i+e the fountain of ight the sun and shine u%on no one, *hey are mounted on the steed of

109



a#iity #ut do not use it( they )oud not stir a ste% for God's sa+e nor s%end one dirhem )ithout

im%osing o#igation and insut. *hey a$$umuate %ro%erty )ith diffi$uty guard it )ith meanness and

a#andon it )ith reu$tan$e a$$ording to the saying of iustrious men that the si&er of an a&ari$ious

man )i $ome u% from the ground )hen he goes into the ground.

"ne man gathers )eath )ith trou#e and a#our

And if another $omes he ta+es it )ithout either.'

0 retorted- '*hou hast not #e$ome a)are of the %arsimony of )eathy men e$e%t #y reason of

mendi$an$y or ese to him )ho has aid aside $o&etousness a i#era and an a&ari$ious man )oud

a%%ear to #e the same. *he tou$hstone +no)s )hat god is and the #eggar +no)s him )ho is stingy.'

3e rejoined- '0 am s%ea+ing from e%erien$e )hen 0 say that they station rude and insoent men at

their gates to +ee% off )orthy %ersons to %a$e &ioent hands u%on men of %iety and dis$retion

saying- o#ody is here and &eriy they ha&e s%o+en the truth.'

"f him )ho has no sense intention %an or o%inion*he gate+ee%er has #eautifuy said- 'o one is in the house.'

0 said this is e$usa#e #e$ause they are teased out of their i&es #y %eo%e e%e$ting fa&ours and

dri&en to amentation #y %etitions of mendi$ants( it #eing a$$ording to $ommon sense an im%ossi#iity

to satisfy #eggars e&en if the sand of the desert )ere to #e transmuted into %ears.

*he eye of greediness the )eathy of the )ord

Can no more fi than de) $an re%enish a )e.

3atim *ai d)et in the desert( had he #een in a to)n he )oud ha&e #een he%ess against the assautsof #eggars and they )oud ha&e torn to %ie$es his u%%er garments as it is re$orded in the *ayi#at-

Loo+ not at me that others may not $on$ei&e ho%es

Be$ause there is no re)ard to #e got from #eggars.

3e said- 'o. 0 ta+e %ity on their state.' 0 re%ied- 'o. *hou en&iest them their )eath.' We )ere thus

$ontending )ith ea$h other e&ery %a)n he %ut for)ard 0 endea&oured to re%e and e&ery time he

announ$ed $he$+ to my +ing 0 $o&ered him )ith my ueen unti he had gam#ed a)ay a his ready

$ash and had shot off a the arro)s of his ui&er in arguing.

3a&e a $are( do not thro) a)ay the shied )hen atta$+ed #y an orator

Who has nothing e$e%t #orro)ed eouen$e to sho)

=ra$tise thou reigion and marifet #e$ause a Suja7s%ea+ing orator

/is%ays )ea%ons at the gate #ut no one is in the fort.

At ast no arguments remained to him and ha&ing #een defeated he $ommen$ed to s%ea+ nonsense as

is the $ustom of ignorant men )ho )hen they $an no more address %roofs against their o%%onent

sha+e the $hain of enmity i+e the ido7$ar&er A4er )ho #eing una#e to o&er$ome his son in argument

#egan to uarre )ith him saying if thou for#earest not 0 )i surey stone thee. *he man insuted me. 0

s%o+e harshy to him. 3e tore my $oar and 0 $aught hod of his $hin7$ase.

3e faing u%on me and 0 on him

110



Cro)ds running after us and aughing

*he finger of astonishment of a )ord

"n the teeth( from )hat )as said and heard #y us.

0n short )e $arried our dis%ute to the a4i and agreed to a#ide #y a just de$ision of the judge of

6usamans )ho )oud in&estigate the affair and te the differen$e #et)een the ri$h and the %oor.

When the a4i had seen our state and heard our ogi$ he %unged his head into his $oar and after

meditating for a )hie s%o+e as foo)s- '" thou )ho hast auded the )eathy and hast induged in

&ioent anguage to)ards der&ishes thou art to +no) that )here&er a rose eists there aso thorns

o$$ur( that )ine is foo)ed #y intoi$ation that a treasure is guarded #y a ser%ent and that )here&er

roya %ears are found men7de&ouring shar+s must aso #e. *he sting of death is the seue of the

deights of ife and a $unning demon #ars the enjoyment of %aradise.

'What )i the &ioen$e of a foe do if it $annot tou$h the see+er of the riend,

*reasure ser%ent( rose thorn( grief and %easure are a in+ed together.

'=er$ei&est thou not that in a garden there are mus+7)io)s as )e as )ithered sti$+s, And i+e)ise

in the $ro)d of the ri$h there are gratefu and im%ious men as aso in the $ir$e of der&ishes some are

for#earing and some are im%atient.

'0f e&ery dro% of de) )ere to #e$ome a %ear

*he #a4ar )oud #e fu of them as of ass7shes.

'*hose near to the %resen$e of the most high and gorious are ri$h men )ith the dis%osition of

der&ishes and der&ishes )ith the in$ination of the ri$h. *he greatest of ri$h men is he )ho

sym%athi4es )ith der&ishes and the #est of der&ishes is he )ho oo+s #ut itte to)ards ri$h men. Whotrusts in Aah he )i #e his suffi$ient su%%ort.'

After this the a4i turned the fa$e of re%roof from me to the der&ish and said- '" thou )ho hast aeged

that the )eathy are engaged in )i$+edness and intoi$ated )ith %easure some $ertainy are of the

+ind thou hast des$ri#ed( of defe$ti&e as%irations and ungratefu for #enefits re$ei&ed. Sometimes

they a$$umuate and %ut #y eat and gi&e not( if for instan$e the rain )ere to fai or a deuge )ere to

distress the )ord they trusting in their o)n %o)er )oud not $are for the misery of der&ishes )oud

not fear God and )oud say-

0f another %erishes for )ant of food

0 ha&e some( )hat $ares a du$+ for the deuge,

*he )omen riding on $ames in their ho)dahs

*a+e no noti$e of him )ho sin+s in the sana.

*he #ase )hen they ha&e sa&ed their o)n #an+ets

Say- What #oots it if a man+ind %erishes,

'*here are %eo%e of the +ind thou hast heard of and other %ersons )ho +ee% the ta#e of #enefi$en$e

s%read out the hand of i#eraity o%en see+ing a good name and %ardon from God. *hey are the

%ossessors of this )ord and of the net i+e the sa&es of 3is 6ajesty =adshah of the )ord )ho is

aided #y de&ine gra$e $onueror %ossessor of authority among nations defender of the frontiers of

111



0sam heir of the ream of Soomon the most righteous of the +ings of the %eriod 6u4affar7ud7dunia

)a uddin Ata#e+ A#u Be+r Ben Sa'd Ben an+i may Aah %roong his days and aid his #anners.

'A father ne&er sho)s the +indness to his son

Whi$h the hand of thy i#eraity has #esto)ed on man+ind.

God desired to &ou$hsafe a #essing to the )ord

And in his mer$y made thee %adshah of the )ord.'

When the a4i had thus far %rotra$ted his remar+s and had $aused the horse of his eouen$e to roam

#eyond the imits of our e%e$tation )e su#mitted to his judi$ia de$ision $ondoned to ea$h other

)hat had %assed #et)een us too+ the %ath of re$on$iiation %a$ed our heads on ea$h other's feet #y

)ay of a%oogy +issed ea$h other's head and fa$e terminating the dis$ussion )ith the foo)ing t)o

disti$hs-

Com%ain not of the turning of the s%heres " der&ish

Be$ause thou )it #e u$+ess if thou diest in this frame of mind." )eathy man sin$e thy heart and hand are su$$essfu

Eat and #e i#era for thou hast $onuered this )ord and the net.

112



Chapter *III

)n Rules for Conduct in ,ife

6aim 1

=ro%erty is for the $omfort of ife not for the a$$umuation of )eath. A sage ha&ing #een as+ed )ho

is u$+y and )ho is not re%ied- '3e is u$+y )ho has eaten and so)ed #ut he is unu$+y )ho has died

and not enjoyed.'

=ray not for the no#ody )ho has done nothing

Who s%ent his ife in a$$umuating %ro%erty #ut has not enjoyed it.

6oses u%on )hom #e %ea$e thus ad&ised 9uran- '/o thou good as Aah has done unto thee.' But he

)oud not isten and thou hast heard of his end-

Who has not a$$umuated good )ith dirhems and dinars

3as sta+ed his end u%on his dirhems and dinars.

0f thou desirest to %rofit #y ri$hes of the )ord

Be i#era to man+ind as God has #een i#era to thee.

*he Ara# says- Be i#era )ithout im%osing o#igations and &eriy the %rofit )i return to thee.

Where&er the tree of #enefi$en$e has ta+en root

0ts taness and #ran$hes %ass #eyond the s+y.

0f thou art desirous to eat the fruit thereof

/o not %ut a sa) to its foot #y im%osing o#igations.

*han+ God that thou hast #een di&iney aided

And not e$uded from his gifts and #ounty.

*hin+ not thou $onferrest an o#igation on the sutan #y ser&ing him

But #e o#iged to him for ha&ing +e%t thee in his ser&i$e.

6aim 2

*)o men too+ useess trou#e and stro&e )ithout any %rofit )hen one of them a$$umuated %ro%erty

)ithout enjoying it and the other earnt )ithout %ra$tising )hat he had earnt.

3o)e&er mu$h s$ien$e thou mayest a$uire

*hou art ignorant )hen there is no %ra$ti$e in thee.

either dee%y earned nor a s$hoar )i #e

A uadru%ed oaded )ith some #oo+s.

What information or +no)edge does the siy #east %osses

Whether it is $arrying a oad of )ood or of #oo+s,

6aim

;no)edge is for the $herishing of reigion not for amassing )eath.

Who sod a#stinen$e +no)edge and %iety

ied a granary #ut #urnt it $ean a)ay.

113



*o anyone( saying )hat is to remain unsaid.

" sim%eton sto% the sour$e of the s%ring.

When it #e$omes fu the #roo+ $annot #e sto%%ed.

6aim 8

A )ea+ foe )ho %rofesses su#mission and sho)s friendshi% has no other o#je$t than to #e$ome a

strong enemy. 0t has #een said that as the friendshi% of friends is unreia#e )hat trust $an #e %ut in

the fattery of enemies,

Admonition

Who des%ises an insignifi$ant enemy resem#es him )ho is $areess a#out fire.

Etinguish it today )hie it may #e uen$hed

Be$ause )hen fire is high it #urns the )ord.

Ao) not the #o) to #e s%anned

By a foe #e$ause an arro) may %ier$e.

Admonition 5

S%ea+ so #et)een t)o enemies that thou mayest not #e %ut to shame if they #e$ome friends.

Bet)een t)o men $ontention is i+e fire

*he i7starred #a$+7#iter #eing the )ood7$arrier.

When #oth of them #e$ome friends again

3e )i among them #e unha%%y and ashamed.

*o +inde fire #et)een t)o men

0s not )ise #ut is to #urn onesef therein.

Con&erse in )his%ers )ith thy friends

Lest thy sanguinary foe may hear thee.

*a+e $are of )hat thou sayest in front of a )a

Be$ause an ear may #e #ehind the )a.

Admonition D

Whoe&er ma+es %ea$e )ith the enemies of his friends greaty injures his friends.

Wash thy hands " )ise man from a friend

Who is sitting together )ith thy foes.

Admonition

When thou art un$ertain in transa$ting an affair see$t that %ortion of it )hi$h )i entai no danger to

thee.

S%ea+ not harshy to a man of gente s%ee$h.

See+ not to fight )ith him )ho +no$+s at the door of %ea$e.

Admonition 8

As ong as an affair $an #e arranged )ith god it is not %ro%er to endanger ife.

When the hand is foied in e&ery stratagem

115



0t is i$it to %ut the hand to the s)ord.

Admonition F

/o not %ity the )ea+ness of a foe #e$ause )hen he gains strength he )i not s%are thee.

Boast not of thy mousta$hes )hen thou seest thy foe is )ea+.

*here is marro) in e&ery #one a man in e&ery $oat.

6aim F

Whoe&er says a #ad feo) sa&es man+ind from a $aamity and him from the )rath of God.

Condonation is auda#e #ut ne&ertheess

A%%y no sa&e to the )ound of an o%%ressor of the %eo%e.

3e )ho had mer$y u%on a ser%ent

;ne) not that it )as an injury to the sons of Adam.

6aim 1

0t is a mista+e to a$$e%t ad&i$e from an enemy #ut %ermissi#e to hear it( and to a$t $ontrary to it is

%erfe$ty $orre$t.

Be $autious of )hat a foe tes thee to do

Lest thou stri+e thy +nee )ith the hand of %ain.

0f he %oints thy )ay to the right i+e an arro)

/efe$t therefrom and ta+e that to the eft hand.

Admonition 1

Wrath #eyond measure %rodu$es estrangement and untimey +indness destroys authority. Be neither

so harsh as to disgust the %eo%e )ith thee nor so mid as to em#oden them.

Se&erity and midness together are #est

Li+e a #eeder )ho is a surgeon and aso a%%ies a sa&e.

A )ise man uses neither se&erity to e$ess

or midness( for it essens his authority.

3e neither eats himsef too mu$h

or e%oses himsef at on$e to $ontem%t.

A youth said to his father- '" )ise man

Gi&e me for instru$tion one ad&i$e i+e an aged %erson.'3e said- 'Be +ind #ut not to su$h a degree

*hat a shar%7toothed )of may #e$ome auda$ious.'

6aim 11

6ay that %rin$e ne&er go&ern a +ingdom

Who is not an o#edient sa&e to God.

Admonition 11

0t is in$um#ent u%on a %adshah to gi&e )ay to anger to)ards his sa&es ony so far as to retain the

$onfiden$e of his friends. *he fire of anger first #urns him )ho has gi&en $ause for it and after)ards

the fame may or may not rea$h the foe.

116



0t is not %ro%er for sons of Adam #orn of earth

*o infate their heads )ith %ride &ioen$e and )ind.

*hou )ho dis%ayest so mu$h heat and o#stina$y

6ust #e 0 thin+ not of earth #ut of fire.

0 &isited a hermit in the $ountry of Bian

And reuested him to %urge me of ignoran$e #y instru$tion.

3e re%ied- 'Be %atient i+e earth " a)yer

"r ese #ury under the earth a thy earning.'

6aim 12

An i7humoured man is $a%ti&e in the hands of a foe from the gras% of )hose %unishment he $annot

#e dei&ered )here&er he may go.

0f from the hand of $aamity an i7natured man es$a%es into the s+y

*he e&i dis%osition of his o)n nature retains him in $aamity.

Admonition 12

When thou %er$ei&est that dis$ord is in the army of the foe #e thou at ease( #ut if they are united #e

a%%rehensi&e of thy o)n distress.

Go and sit in re%ose )ith thy friends

When thou seest )ar among the enemies(

But if thou %er$ei&est that they a agree

S%an thy #o) and $arry stones u%on the ram%art.

6aim 1

When a the artifi$es of an enemy ha&e faied he sha+es the $hain of friendshi% and thereon %erforms

a$ts of friendshi% )hi$h no enemy is a#e to do.

Admonition 1

Stri+e the head of a ser%ent )ith the hand of a foe #e$ause one of t)o ad&antages )i resut. 0f the

enemy su$$eeds thou hast +ied the sna+e and if the atter thou hast #een dei&ered from a foe.

Ad&i$e

0f thou art a)are of ne)s )hi$h )i grie&e a heart remain sient that others may $on&ey it.

ightingae #ring tidings of s%ring.

Lea&e #ad ne)s to the o).

Caution

Gi&e not information to a %adshah of the trea$hery of anyone uness thou art sure he )i a$$e%t it(

ese thou )it ony #e %re%aring thy o)n destru$tion.

=re%are to s%ea+ ony )hen

*hy )ords are i+ey to ha&e effe$t.

S%ee$h is a %erfe$tion in the sou of man

But do not ruin thysef #y s%ea+ing.

117



6aim 1

Whoe&er gi&es ad&i$e to a sef7)ied man stands himsef in need of ad&i$e.

Admonition 1

S)ao) not the de$e%tion of a foe. =ur$hase not $on$eit from a %anegyrist. *he one has aid out a

snare for %ro&isions and the other has o%ened the ja)s of $o&etousness.

6aim 15

A foo is %eased #y fattery i+e the infated hee of a $or%se that has the a%%earan$e of fatness.

*a+e $are not to isten to the &oi$e of a fatterer

Who e%e$ts $hea%y to deri&e %rofit from thee.

0f one day thou faiest to satisfy his )ishes

3e enumerates t)o hundred fauts of thine.

6aim 1D

>ness an orator's defe$ts are mentioned #y someone his good %oints )i not #e %raised.

Be not %roud of the #eauty of thy s%ee$h

"f the a%%ro#ation of an ignoramus and of thy o)n o%inion.

6aim 1

E&eryone thin+s himsef %erfe$t in intee$t and his $hid in #eauty.

A ?e) )as de#ating )ith a 6usaman*i 0 shoo+ )ith aughter at their dis%ute.

*he 6osem said in anger- '0f this deed of mine

0s not $orre$t may God $ause me to die a ?e).'

*he ?e) said- '0 s)ear #y the =entateu$h

*hat if my oath is fase 0 sha die a 6osem i+e thee.'

Shoud from the surfa$e of the earth )isdom disa%%ear

Sti no one )i a$+no)edge his o)n ignoran$e.

6aim 18

*en men eat at a ta#e #ut t)o dogs )i $ontend for one %ie$e of $arrion. A greedy %erson )i stir #e

hungry )ith the )hoe )ord )hist a $ontented man )i #e satisfied )ith one #read. Wise men ha&esaid that %o&erty )ith $ontent is #etter than )eath and not a#undan$e.

arro) intestines may #e fied )ith dry #read

But the )eath of the surfa$e of the )ord )i not fi a greedy

eye.

When the term of my father's ife had $ome to an end

3e ga&e me this one ad&i$e and %assed a)ay-

Lust is fire a#stain therefrom

6a+e not the fire of he shar% for thee.

0n that fire the #urning thou )it not #e a#e to #ear

9uen$h this fire )ith )ater today.

118



Admonition 15

Whoe&er does no good in the time of a#iity )i see distress in the time of ina#iity.

o one is more unu$+y than an o%%ressor of men

Be$ause in the day of $aamity no one is his friend.

6aim 1F

Life is in the +ee%ing of a singe #reath and the )ord is an eisten$e #et)een t)o annihiations.

*hose )ho se the reigion for the )ord 'are asses' they se ?ose%h #ut )hat do 'they #uy', /id 0 not

$ommand you " sons of Adam that ye shoud not )orshi% Satan,

"n the )ord of a foe thou hast #ro+en faith )ith a friend.

See from )hom thou hast $ut thysef off and to )hom united.

6aim 2

Satan $annot $onuer the righteous and the sutan the %oor.

Lend nothing to a %rayeress man

Athough his mouth may gas% from %enury(

Be$ause he )ho nege$ts the $ommands of God

Wi aso not $are for )hat he may #e inde#ted to thee.

6aim 21

Whate&er ta+es %a$e ui$+y is not %ermanent.

0 ha&e heard that eastern oam is made0n forty days into a %or$eain $u%.

A hundred are daiy made in Baghdad.

3en$e thou seest aso their %ri$e is &ie.

A itte fo) issues from the egg and see+s food

Whist man's %rogeny has no +no)edge sense or dis$ernment.

e&ertheess the former attains nothing )hen gro)n u%

Whist the atter sur%asses a #eings in dignity and e$een$e.

Gass is e&ery)here and therefore of no a$$ount

But a ru#y diffi$ut to get and therefore %re$ious.

6aim 22

Affairs su$$eed #y %atien$e and a hasty man fais.

0 sa) )ith my eyes in the desert

*hat a so) man o&ertoo+ a fast one.

A gao%ing horse feet i+e the )ind fe #a$+

Whist the $ame7man $ontinued so)y his %rogress.

6aim 2

othing is #etter for an ignorant man than sien$e and if he )ere to $onsider it to #e suita#e he

)oud not #e ignorant.

119



0f thou %ossessest not the %erfe$tion of e$een$e

0t is #est to +ee% thy tongue )ithin thy mouth.

/isgra$e is #rought on a man #y his tongue.

A )anut ha&ing no +erne )i #e ight.

A foo )as trying to tea$h a don+ey

S%ending a his time and efforts in the tas+.

A sage o#ser&ed- '" ignorant man )hat sayest thou,

ear #ame from the $ensorious in this &ain attem%t.

A #rute $annot earn s%ee$h from thee.

Learn thou sien$e from a #rute.'

Who does not refe$t )hat he is to ans)er

Wi mosty s%ea+ im%ro%ery.

Come+ Either arrange thy )ords i+e a )ise man

"r remain sitting sient i+e a #rute.

Admonition 1D

Whene&er a man dis%utes )ith one )ho is more earned than himsef to ma+e %eo%e +no) of his

earning they )i +no) that he is ignorant.

0f one #etter than thysef #egins to s%ea+

Athough thou mayest +no) #etter $ontradi$t him not.

6aim 2

Whoe&er asso$iates )ith #ad %eo%e )i see no good.

0f an ange asso$iates )ith a demon3e )i earn from him fear fraud and hy%o$risy.

"f the )i$+ed thou $anst earn ony )i$+edness.

A )of )i not ta+e to se)ing ja$+ets.

Admonition 1

<e&ea not the se$ret fauts of men #e$ause thou )it %ut them to shame and )it forfeit thy o)n

$onfiden$e.

6aim 25

Who a$uires s$ien$e and does not %ra$tise it resem#es him )ho %ossesses an o #ut does not usehim to %ough or to so) seed.

6aim 2D

rom a #ody )ithout a heart o#edien$e does not arise and a hus+ )ithout a +erne is no sto$+ in trade.

ot e&eryone )ho is #ris+ in dis%ute is $orre$t in #usiness.

6any a stature $on$eaed #y a sheet

0f re&eaed a%%ears to #e the mother of one's mother.

6aim 2

120



0f e&ery night )ere to #e the night of 9adr the night of 9adr )oud #e )ithout 9adr.

0f a stones )ere ru#ies of Bada+hshan

*he %ri$e of ru#ies and of stones )oud #e the same.

6aim 28

ot e&eryone )ho is handsome in form %ossesses a good $hara$ter( the uaities are inside not u%on

the s+in.

0t is %ossi#e in one day to +no) from a man's uaities

What degree of s$ien$e he has rea$hed.

Be ho)e&er not sure of his mind nor de$ei&ed.

A )i$+ed s%irit is not dete$ted sometimes for years.

Caution 2

Who uarres )ith great men sheds his o)n #ood.

"ne )ho thin+s that he is great

0s truy said to #e suinting.

*hou )it soon see thy forehead #ro+en

0f thou #uttest it in %ay against a ram.

6aim 2F

*o stri+e one's fist on a ion and to gras% the shar% edge of a s)ord )ith the hand is not the %art of an

inteigent man.

/o not fight or try thy strength )ith a furious man.3ide thy hands in thy arm7%its to a&oid his finger7nais.

Caution

A )ea+ man trying to sho) his %ro)ess off against a strong one ony aids his foe to en$om%ass his

o)n destru$tion.

What strength has one #rought u% in the shade

*o go against $ham%ions in a fight,

A man )ith )ea+ arms in his foy thro)s

3is fist u%on a man )ith iron $a)s.

6aim

Whoe&er does not isten to ad&i$e )i ha&e o$$asion to hear re%roof.

0f admonition enters not thy ear

Be sient )hen 0 #ame thee.

Eegant saying 1

6en &oid of a$$om%ishments $annot #ehod those )ho %ossess some )ithout #ar+ing i+e the $urs

of the #a4ar on seeing a hunting dog #ut dare not $ome for)ard( that is to say )hen a #ase feo) is

una#e to &ie )ith an a$$om%ished man he sets a#out sandering him a$$ording to his o)n

)i$+edness.

121



*he en&ious mean feo) )i $ertainy sander

Whose tongue of s%ee$h is dum# )hen fa$e to fa$e.

6aim 1

0f there )ere no $ra&ing of the stoma$h no #ird )oud enter the snare of the fo)er( nay he )oud not

e&en set the snare.

6aim 2

Sages eat so) de&otees haf satisfy their a%%etite re$uses ony eat to %reser&e ife youths unti the

dishes are remo&ed od men ti they #egin to %ers%ire #ut aandars ti no room remains in the

#o)es for dra)ing #reath and no food on the ta#e for any#ody.

A sa&e to $onsti%ation s%ends t)o see%ess nights

"ne night from re%etion and another from distress.

6aim

*o $onsut )omen #rings on ruin and to #e i#era to re#eious men $rime.

*o ha&e mer$y on shar%7toothed tigers

0s to #e tyranni$a to)ards shee%.

Admonition 18

Who has %o)er o&er his foe and does not say him is his o)n enemy.

With a stone in the hand and a sna+e on a stone0t is foy to $onsider and to deay.

"thers ho)e&er enoun$e a $ontrary o%inion and say that it is %refera#e to res%ite $a%ti&es #e$ause

the o%tion of +iing or not +iing remains( #ut if they #e sain )ithout deay it is %ossi#e that some

ad&antage may #e ost the i+e of )hi$h $annot #e again o#tained.

0t is uite easy to de%ri&e a man of ife.

When he is sain he $annot #e resus$itaied again.

0t is a $ondition of )isdom in the ar$her to #e %atient

Be$ause )hen the arro) ea&es the #o) it returns no more.

6aim

When a sage $omes in $onta$t )ith foos he must not e%e$t to #e honoured and if an ignorant man

o&er$omes a sage in an oratori$a $ontest it is no )onder #e$ause e&en a stone #rea+s a je)e.

What )onder is there that the song

"f a nightingae $eases )hen im%risoned )ith a $ro)

"r that a &irtuous man under the tyranny of &aga#onds

ees affi$tion in his heart and is irate.

Athough a #ase stone may #rea+ a goden &ase

*he %ri$e of the stone is not enhan$ed nor of the god ost.

6aim 5

122



Be not astonished )hen a )ise man $eases to s%ea+ in $om%any of &ie %ersons sin$e the meody of a

har% $annot o&er$ome the noise of a drum and the %erfume of am#ergris must su$$um# to the sten$h

of rotten gari$.

A #atant ignoramus %roudy ifted his ne$+

Be$ause he had o&er$ome a s$hoar #y his im%uden$e.

;no)est thou not that the 3eja4i musi$a tune

Su$$um#s to the roar of the drum of )ar,

6aim D

E&en after faing into mud a je)e retains its $ostiness and dust athough it may rise into the s+y is

as $ontem%ti#e as #efore. Ca%a$ity )ithout edu$ation is de%ora#e and edu$ation )ithout $a%a$ity is

thro)n a)ay. Ashes are of high origin #e$ause the nature of fire is su%erior #ut as they ha&e no &aue

of their o)n they are simiar to earth and the %ri$e of sugar arises not from. the $ane #ut from its o)n

uaity.

*he and of Canaan ha&ing no natura e$een$e*he #irth of a %ro%het therein $oud not enhan$e its )orth.

/is%ay thy &irtue if thou hast any not thy origin.

*he rose is the offs%ring of thorns and A#raham of A4er.

6aim

6us+ is +no)n #y its %erfume and not #y )hat the druggist says. A s$hoar is sient i+e the

%erfumer's $as+et #ut dis%ays a$$om%ishments )hist an ignoramus is oud7&oi$ed and intrinsi$ay

em%ty i+e a )ar7drum.

A earned man among #o$+heads

HSo says the %ara#e of our friendsI0s i+e a s)eetheart among the #ind

"r a 9uran among un#eie&ers.

6aim 8

A friend )hom %eo%e ha&e #een $herishing during a ifetime they must not suddeny insut.

0t ta+es a stone many a year to #e$ome a ru#y.

Be)are not to #rea+ it in a moment )ith a stone.

6aim F

0ntee$t may #e$ome $a%ti&e to ust i+e a )ea+ man in the hands of an artfu )oman.

Bid fare)e to %easure in a house

Where the shouting of a )oman is oud.

6aim

A design )ithout strength to ee$ute it is fraud and de$e%tion and a%%i$ation of strength )ithout a

design is ignoran$e and una$y.

/is$ernment is ne$essary. Arrangement and intee$t then a ream(

or ream and )eath )ith an ignorant man are )ea%ons against himsef.

123



6aim 1

A i#era man )ho eats and #esto)s is #etter than a de&ote )ho fasts and hoards.

6aim 2

Who has renoun$ed a%%etites for the sa+e of a%%ro#ation #y men has faen from i$it into ii$it

a%%etites.

A de&otee )ho sits in a $orner not for God's sa+e

0s he%ess. What $an he see in a dar+ mirror,

Litte #y itte #e$omes mu$h and dro% #y dro% )i #e a torrent( that is to say he )ho has no %o)er

gathers sma stones that he may at the %ro%er o%%ortunity annihiate the %ride of his foe.

/ro% u%on dro% $oe$ted )i ma+e a ri&er.

<i&ers u%on ri&ers $oe$ted )i ma+e a sea.

Litte and itte together )i #e$ome mu$h.*he granary is #ut grain u%on grain.

6aim

A s$hoar is not mee+y to o&eroo+ the foy of a $ommon %erson #e$ause thus #oth %arties are

injured( the dignity of the former #eing essened and the ignoran$e of the atter $onfirmed.

S%ea+ gra$efuy and +indy to a o) feo)

3is %ride and o#stina$y )i augment.

6aim

*ransgression #y )homsoe&er $ommitted is #ama#e #ut more so in earned men #e$ause earning is

a )ea%on for $om#ating Satan and )hen the %ossessor of a )ea%on is made %risoner his shame )i

#e greater.

0t is #etter to #e an ignorant %oor feo)

*hen a earned man )ho is not a#stemious(

Be$ause the former oses the )ay #y his #indness

Whie the atter fas into a )e )ith #oth eyes o%en.

6aim 5

Whose #read is not eaten #y others )hie he is ai&e he )i not #e remem#ered )hen he is dead. A)ido) +no)s the deight of gra%es and not the ord of fruits. ?ose%h the just sautation to him ne&er

ate to satiety in the Egy%tian dearth for fear he might forget the hungry %eo%e.

3o) $an he )ho i&es in $omfort and a#undan$e

;no) )hat the state of the famished is,

3e is a)are of the $ondition of the %oor

Who has himsef faen into a state of distress.

" thou )ho art riding a feet horse $onsider

*hat the %oor thorn7$arrying ass is in )ater and mud.

As+ not for fire from thy %oor neigh#our's house

Be$ause )hat %asses out of his )indo) is the smo+e of his heart.

124



Who re%ied- '" feo) if thou art unu$+y

What guit is there in u$+y men,'

or#ear to )ish e&i to an en&ious man

Be$ause the i7starred feo) is an e&i to himsef.

What needest thou to sho) enmity to him

Who has su$h a foe on the na%e of his ne$+,

6aim 5

A dis$i%e )ithout intention is a o&er )ithout money( a tra&eer )ithout +no)edge is a #ird )ithout

)ings( a s$hoar )ithout %ra$ti$e is a tree )ithout fruit and a de&otee )ithout s$ien$e is a house

)ithout a door. *he 9uran )as re&eaed for the a$uisition of a good $hara$ter not for $hanting

)ritten $ha%ters. A %ious unettered man is i+e one )ho tra&es on foot )hist a negigent s$hoar is

i+e a see%ing rider. A sinner )ho ifts his hands in su%%i$ation is #etter than a de&otee )ho +ee%s

them %roudy on his head.

A good humoured and %easant miitary offi$er0s su%erior to a theoogian )ho injures men.

"ne #eing as+ed )hat a earned man )ithout %ra$ti$e resem#ed re%ied- 'A #ee )ithout honey.'

Say to the rude and un+ind #ee

'At east for#ear to sting if thou gi&est no honey.'

6aim 51

A man )ithout &iriity is a )oman and an a&ari$ious de&ote is a high)ay ro##er.

" thou )ho hast %ut on a )hite ro#e for a sho)*o #e a%%ro&ed of men )hist the #oo+ of thy a$ts is #a$+.

*he hand is to #e restrained from the )ord

o matter )hether the see&e #e short or ong.

6aim 52

<egret )i not ea&e the hearts of t)o %ersons and their feet of $ontention )i not emerge from the

mire- a mer$hant )ith a )re$+ed shi% and a youth sitting )ith aandars.

/er&ishes )i $onsider it i$it to shed thy #ood

0f they $an ha&e no a$$ess to thy %ro%erty.

Either asso$iate not )ith a friend )ho dons the #ue gar#"r #id fare)e to a thy %ro%erty.

Either ma+e no friends )ith ee%hant7+ee%ers

"r #uid a house suita#e for ee%hants.

6aim 5

Athough a sutan's garment of honour is dear yet one's o)n od ro#e is more dear( and though the

food of a great man may #e dei$ious the #ro+en $rum#s of one's o)n sa$+ are more dei$ious.

:inegar #y one's o)n a#our and &egeta#es

Are #etter than #read re$ei&ed as ams and &ea.

6aim 5

126



Be$ause a soft fie $annot $ean off in&eterate rust.

6aim 58

Who interru%ts the $on&ersation of others that they may +no) his e$een$e they )i #e$ome

a$uainted ony )ith the degree of his foy.

An inteigent man )i not gi&e a re%y

>ness he #e as+ed a uestion.

Be$ause though his )ords may #e #ased on truth

3is $aim to &era$ity may #e deemed im%ossi#e.

6aim 5F

0 had a )ound under my ro#e and a shei+h as+ed me daiy ho) #ut not )here it is and 0 earned that

he refrained #e$ause it is not admissi#e to mention e&ery mem#er( and )ise men ha&e aso said that

)hoe&er does not %onder his uestion )i #e grie&ed #y the ans)er.

>nti thou +no)est thy )ords to #e %erfe$ty suita#e

*hou must not o%en thy mouth in s%ee$h.

0f thou s%ea+est truth and remainest in $a%ti&ity

0t is #etter than that thy menda$ity dei&er thee therefrom.

6aim D

6enda$ity resem#es a &ioent #o) the s$ar of )hi$h remains though the )ound may #e heaed.

Seest thou not ho) the #rothers of ?ose%h #e$ame noted for fasehood and no trust in their &era$ity

remained as Aah the most high has said- ay #ut ye yourse&es ha&e $ontri&ed the thing for your

o)n sa+e.

"ne ha#ituay s%ea+ing the truth

0s %ardoned )hen he on$e ma+es a si%

But if he #e$omes noted for ying

=eo%e do not #eie&e him e&en )hen s%ea+ing truth.

6aim D1

*he no#est of #eings is e&identy man and the meanest a dog #ut inteigent %ersons agree that a

gratefu dog is #etter than an ungratefu man.

A dog ne&er forgets a morse re$ei&ed

*hough thou thro)est a stone at him a hundred times.But if thou $herishest a #ase feo) a ifetime

3e )i for a trife suddeny fight )ith thee.

6aim D2

Who %anders to his %assions )i not $uti&ate a$$om%ishments and )ho %ossesses none is not

suita#e for a high %osition.

3a&e no mer$y on a &ora$ious o

Who see%s a great dea and eats mu$h.

0f thou )antest to ha&e fatness i+e an o

@ied thy #ody to the tyranny of %eo%e i+e an ass.

128



6aim D

0t is )ritten in the E&ange- '" son of Adam if 0 gi&e thee ri$hes thou )it turn a)ay from me )ith

mundane $ares and if 0 ma+e thee %oor thou )it sit do)n )ith a sad heart( then )here )it thou

enjoy the s)eetness of adoring me and )hen )it thou hasten to ser&e me,'

Sometimes thou art made haughty and $areess #y )eath

Sometimes art in distress from ehaustion and %enury.

0f thy state #e su$h in joy and in distress

0 +no) not )hen thou )it turn to God from thysef.

6aim D

*he )i of the 0ns$ruta#e #rings do)n one from the roya throne and %rote$ts the other in the #ey

of a fish.

3a%%y is the time of the man

Who s%ends it in adoring thee.

6aim D5

When God dra)s the s)ord of )rath %ro%hets and saints dra) in their heads #ut if he $asts a oo+ of

gra$e he $on&erts )i$+ed into &irtuous men.

0f at the resurre$tion he addresses us in anger

What $han$e of %ardon )i e&en %ro%hets ha&e,

Say- '<emo&e the &ei from the fa$e of mer$y

Be$ause sinners entertain ho%es of %ardon.'

6aim DD

Whoe&er does not #eta+e himsef to the %ath of re$titude in $onseuen$e of the $astigations of this

)ord )i fa under eterna %unishment in the net. Aah the most high has said- And )e )i $ause

them to taste the nearer %unishment of this )ord #esides the more grie&ous %unishment of the net.

Admonition is the address of su%eriors and then fetters.

0f they gi&e ad&i$e and thou istenest not they %ut thee in

fetters.

6aim D

ortunate men are admonished #y the ad&entures and simies of those )ho ha&e %re$eded them #efore those )ho foo) them $an use the e&ent as a %ro&er# i+e thie&es )ho shorten their hands

est their hands #e $ut off.

*he #ird does not go to the grain dis%ayed

When it #ehods another fo) in the tra%.

*a+e ad&i$e #y the misfortunes of others

*hat others may not ta+e ad&i$e from thee.

6aim D8

3o) $an he hear )hose organ of audition has #een $reated du and ho) $an he a&oid %rogressing

u%on )hom the noose of ha%%iness has #een fung,

129



*o the friends of God a dar+ night

Shines i+e the #riiant day.

*his fei$ity is not #y strength of arm

>ness God the gi&er #esto)s it.

*o )hom sha 0 $om%ain of thee, *here is no other judge

And there is no other hand su%erior to thine.

Whom thou guidest 7no one $an ead astray.

Whom thou $astest off no one $an guide.

6aim DF

*he earth re$ei&es sho)ers from hea&en and gi&es to it ony dust. E&ery &esse eudes )hat it

$ontains.

0f my humour a%%ears to thee un#e$oming

Lose not thy o)n good humour.

6aim

A mendi$ant )ith a good end is #etter than a %adshah )ith a #ad end.

*he grief thou sufferest #efore the joy

0s #etter than the grief endured after joy.

6aim 1

*he 6ost 3igh sees a faut and $on$eas it and a neigh#our sees it not #ut shouts.

Let us ta+e refuge )ith Aah.0f %eo%e +ne) our fauts

o one $oud ha&e rest from interferen$e #y others.

6aim 2

God is o#tained from a mine #y digging it #ut from a miser #y digging the sou.

:ie men s%end not #ut %reser&e.

*hey say ho%e of s%ending is #etter than s%ending.

"ne day thou seest the )ish of the foe fufied

*he god remaining and the &ie man dead.

6aim

Who has no mer$y u%on inferiors )i suffer from the tyranny of su%eriors.

ot e&ery arm )hi$h $ontains strength

Brea+s the hand of the )ea+ for sho)ing #ra&ery.

0njure not the heart of the he%ess

or thou )it su$$um# to the for$e of a strong man.

6aim

When a )ise man en$ounters o#sta$es he ea%s a)ay and $asts an$hor at the %ro%er o%%ortunity for

thus he )i #e in the former instan$e safe on shore and in the atter he )i enjoy himsef.

130



6aim 5

*he gam#er reuires three sies and ony three a$es turn u%.

*he %asture is a thousand times more %easant than the ra$e$ourse

But the steed has not the #ride at its o%tion.

Story 1

A der&ish %rayed thus- '" Lord ha&e mer$y u%on the )i$+ed #e$ause thou hast aready had mer$y

u%on good men #y $reating them to #e good.'

6aim D

*he first so&ereign )ho aid stress on $ostume and )ore rings on his eft hand )as ?amshid( and #eing

as+ed )hy he had adorned his eft )hereas e$een$e resides in the right hand he re%ied- '*he right

hand is fuy ornamented #y its o)n re$titude.'

eridun ordered Chinese em#roiderers

*o )rite around the #orders of his tent-

';ee% the )i$+ed )e " inteigent man

Be$ause the good are in themse&es great and fortunate.'

Story 2

A great man ha&ing #een as+ed )hy he )ore his sea7ring on his eft hand )hereas the right %ossesses

so mu$h e$een$e re%ied- ';no)est thou not that the meritorious are a)ays nege$ted,'

3e )ho has $reated joy and distressA%%ortions either e$een$e or u$+.

6aim

3e may freey )arn )ho neither fears to ose his ife nor ho%es for god.

=our either god at the feet of a monotheist

"r %a$e an 0ndian sa#re to his head.

3e entertains no ho%e nor fear from anyone

And this is a suffi$ient #asis of monotheism.

6aim 8

*he %adshah is to remo&e o%%ressors( the %oi$e murderers( and the a4i to hear $om%aints a#out

thie&es( #ut t)o enemies )iing to agree to )hat is right )i not a%%y to him.

When thou seest that it must #e gi&en )hat is right

=ay it rather )ith gra$e than fighting and distressed.

0f a man %ays not his ta of his o)n a$$ord

*he offi$er's man )i ta+e it #y for$e.

6aim F

*he teeth of a men are #unted #y sourness #ut those of the a4i #y s)eetness.

131



*he a4i )hom thou #ri#est )ith fi&e $u$um#ers

Wi %ro&e that ten meon7fieds are due to thee.

6aim 8

What $an an od %rostitute do #ut &o) to #e$ome $haste and an %oi$eman not to $ommit o%%ression

u%on men,

A youth )ho sits in a $orner is a hero in the %ath of God

Be$ause an od man is una#e to rise from his $orner.

A youth must #e strong minded to a#stain from ust

Be$ause e&en the seua too of an od man of suggish desire

rises not.

6aim 81

A sage )as as+ed- '"f so many nota#e high and fertie trees )hi$h God the most high has $reatednot one is $aed free e$e%t the $y%ress )hi$h #ears no fruit. What is the reason of this,' 3e re%ied-

'E&ery tree has its a%%ro%riate season of fruit so that it is sometimes fourishing there)ith and oo+s

sometimes )ithered #y its a#sen$e( )ith the $y%ress ho)e&er neither is the $ase it #eing fresh at a

times and this is the uaity of those )ho are free.'

=a$e not thy heart on )hat %asses a)ay( for the *igris

Wi fo) after the ;haifs ha&e %assed a)ay in Baghdad.

0f thou art a#e #e i#era i+e the date tree

And if thy hand $annot afford it #e i#era i+e the $y%ress.

6aim 82

*)o men died #earing a)ay their grief "ne had %ossessed )eath and not enjoyed it the other

+no)edge and not %ra$tised it.

o one sees an e$eent #ut a&ari$ious man

Without %u#ishing his defe$t

But if a i#era man has a hundred fauts

3is generosity $o&ers his im%erfe$tions.

Con$usion of the Boo+

*he #oo+ of the Guistan has #een $om%eted and Aah had #een in&o+ed for aid! By the gra$e of the

Amighty may his name #e honoured throughout the )or+ the $ustom of authors to insert &ersesfrom an$ient )riters #y )ay of oan has not #een foo)ed.

*o adorn onesef )ith one's o)n rag

0s #etter than to as+ for the oan of a ro#e.

6ost of the utteran$es of Sa'di #eing ehiarant and mied )ith %easantry shortsighted %ersons ha&e

on this a$$ount engthened the tongue of #ame aeging that it is not the %art of inteigent men to

s%end in &ain the +erne of their #rain and to eat )ithout %rofit the smo+e of the am%( it is ho)e&er

not $on$eaed from enightened men )ho are a#e to dis$ern the tenden$y of )ords that %ears of

$urati&e admonition are strung u%on the thread of e%anation and that the #itter medi$ine of ad&i$e is

$omminged )ith the honey of )it in order that the reader's mind shoud not #e fatigued and there#y

e$uded from the #enefit of a$$e%tan$e( and %raise #e to the Lord of #oth )ords.

132



We ga&e ad&i$e in its %ro%er %a$e

S%ending a ifetime in the tas+.

0f it shoud not tou$h anyone's ear of desire

*he messenger tod his tae( it is enough.

" thou )ho oo+est into it as+ Aah to ha&e mer$y

"n the author and to %ardon the o)ner of it.

As+ for thysef )hate&er #enefit thou mayest desire

And after that %ardon for the )riter of it.

0f 0 had on the day of resurre$tion an o%%ortunity

ear the Com%assionate one 0 shoud say- '" Lord

0 am the sinner and thou the #enefi$ent master

or a the i 0 ha&e done 0 $ra&e for thy #ounty.'

Gratitude is due from me to God that this #oo+ is ended Before my ife has rea$hed its termination.

T/$ $N(

rosegarden saadi tr3 en

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