,the ,wisdom of the ,east ,series ,,edited ,,by ,l4 ,,cranmer-,,byng ,dr4 ,s4 ,a4 ,,kapadia ,,the ,,bust,n ,,of ,,sadi ,,wisdom ,,of ,,the ,,east ,,the ,,bust,n ,,of ,,sadi ,,translated ,,from ,,the ,,persian ,,with ,,an ,,introduction ,,by ,a4 ,,hart ,,edwards ,illustration ,,london ,,john ,,murray1 ,,albemarle ,,street1 ,w4 #aiaa ,,printed ,,by ,,hazell1 ,,watson ,,and ,,viney1 ,,ld41 ,,london ,,and ,,aylesbury4 ,,contents ,,page ,,introduction ,in the ,name of ,god1 the ,compassionate1 the ,merciful #ai ,on the ,reason for the ,writing of the ,book #ba ,concerning ,atbak ,abu ,bakr1 ,son of ,sd #bb ,,chap4 ,i4 ,,concerning ,,justice1 ,,counsel1 ,,and ,,the ,,administration ,,of ,,government3 ,nushravn's ,counsel to his ,son #bd ,discourse concerning ,travellers #bd ,story illustrating the ,need for ,deliberation #be ,story of the ,king whose ,coat was ,coarse #bh ,story of ,darius and the ,herdsman #bi ,story of ,abdul ,aziz and the ,pearl #cj ,story of how ,tukla was rebuked by a ,devotee #ca ,discourse concerning ,riches and ,poverty #ca ,story of ,qazal ,arsaln and the ,fort #cb ,a ,story of ,damascus #cb ,story of a ,bully #cd ,,ii4 ,,concerning ,,benevolence3 ,story illustrative of doing good to the ,evil #cf ,story concerning ,fasting #cf ,story illustrative of ,practical ,charity #cg ,story of a ,man and a ,thirsty ,dog #ch ,story ,apropos of ,nemesis #ci ,story of a ,fool and a ,fox #dj ,story of a ,devout ,miser #da ,story of ,htim ,tai #db ,story of ,htim and the ,messenger sent to kill him #dc ,discourse concerning ,kindness to ,orphans #dg ,,iii4 ,,concerning ,,love3 ,discourse concerning ,constancy #di ,story of a ,dancer #ej ,story illustrating the ,reality of ,love #ej ,story ,illustrative of ,patience #ea ,story of ,one who was ,assiduous in ,prayer #eb ,story of ,sultan ,mahmd and his ,love for ,ayz #eb ,story of a ,village ,chief #ec ,story of a ,fire-fly #ed ,story of a ,moth and a ,candle #ed ,another ,story on the same ,subject #ee ,,iv4 ,,concerning ,,humility3 ,story of a ,raindrop #ef ,story ,illustrative of ,pious ,men regarding themselves with ,contempt #eg ,story of ,sultan ,byazd and ,bustmi #eg ,discourse on ,conceit #eh ,story of the ,darwesh and the ,proud ,cdi #ei ,story of the ,honey-seller #fb ,story illustrating the ,forbearance of ,good ,men #fc ,story illustrating the ,noble-mindedness of ,men #fd ,story of a ,kind ,master and his ,disobedient ,slave #fd ,story of ,marf ,karchi and the ,sick ,traveller #fe ,story illustrating the ,folly of the ,ignoble #fg ,story of ,one who had a ,little ,knowledge #fh ,story illustrating the ,humility of the ,pious #fh ,story illustrating the ,value of ,soft ,words #fi ,story illustrating the ,wisdom of feigning ,deafness #gj ,story illustrating ,forbearance for the ,sake of ,friends #ga ,story of ,luqman1 the ,sage #gb ,v4 ,,concerning ,,resignation3 ,story of a ,soldier of ,isfahan #gc ,story of the ,doctor and the ,villager #ge ,story of the ,villager and his ,ass #gf ,story illustrating ,luck #gf ,story of ,one who blamed his ,destiny #gf ,story of a ,darwesh and his ,wife #gg ,story of a ,vulture and a ,kite #gg ,story of a ,camel #gh ,discourse concerning ,hypocrisy #gi ,,vi4 ,,concerning ,,contentment3 ,story of the ,king of ,khwarazm #ha ,concerning the ,evils of ,over-eating #ha ,story of a ,glutton #hb ,story of a ,recluse #hb ,story ,illustrating the ,evils of ,avarice #hc ,story of an ,ambitious ,cat #hc ,story of a ,short-sighted ,man and his ,high-minded ,wife #hd ,story of a ,holy ,man who built a ,house #he ,story of a ,sheikh who became ,king #he ,discourse concerning ,riches #hf ,,vii4 ,,concerning ,,education3 ,discourse concerning the ,excellence of ,taciturnity #hi ,story concerning the keeping of ,secrets #ij ,story illustrating the ,fact that ,silence ,is ,best for ,fools #ij ,story illustrating the ,folly of ,impertinence #ia ,discourse on ,slander #ib ,story concerning the same ,subject #ib ,why ,thieving is better than ,slandering #ib ,sadi and his ,envious ,class-friend #ic ,story of ,sadi's ,childhood #ic ,story of a ,sufi's ,rebuke #id ,concerning ,absent ,friends #id ,where ,slander is ,lawful #ie ,tale-bearers worse than ,back-biters #ie ,faridun and his ,wise ,vazier #if ,discourse concerning ,wives #ig ,discourse on the ,training of ,sons #ih ,sadi rebuked for his ,fault-finding #ih ,,viii4 ,,concerning ,,gratitude3 ,a ,mother's ,warning to her ,son #aja ,discourse concerning the ,art of the ,most ,high ,god #ajb ,discourse concerning the ,condition of the ,weak #ajc ,story of ,tughral1 ,king of ,shirz1 and the ,hindu ,watchman #ajc ,story of a ,thief #ajd ,story of ,one who was not what he seemed #aje ,story of a ,sage ,donkey #aje ,story illustrating the ,evils of ,pride #ajf ,story of ,sadi and the ,idolaters #ajf ,,ix4 ,,concerning ,,repentance3 ,an ,old ,man's ,lament #aaj ,advice and ,warning #aaa ,sadi's ,rebuke from a ,camel-driver #aab ,story concerning ,sorrow for the ,dead #aac ,story of a ,pious ,man and a ,gold ,brick #aad ,admonition #aae ,moral from an ,incident in ,sadi's ,childhood #aaf ,story of a ,man who reared a ,wolf #aag ,story of a ,cheat #aag ,a ,recollection of ,childhood #aah ,story of ,one who burned his ,harvest #aah ,discourse on ,repentance #aai ,x4 ,,concerning ,,prayer3 ,a ,worshipper's ,lament #aba ,story of an ,idolater #aba ,,notes #abc ,,editorial ,,note ,the object of the ,editors of this series is a very definite one4 ,they desire above all things that1 in their humble way1 these books shall be the ambassadors of good-will and understanding between ,east and ,west--the old world of ,thought and the new of ,action4 ,in this endeavour1 and in their own sphere1 they are but followers of the highest example in the land4 ,they are confident that a deeper knowledge of the great ideals and lofty philosophy of ,oriental thought may help to a revival of that true spirit of ,charity which neither despises nor fears the nations of another creed and colour4 ,finally1 in thanking press and public for the very cordial reception given to the 8,wisdom of the ,east0 ,series1 they wish to state that no pains have been spared to secure the best specialists for the treatment of the various subjects at hand4 ,l4 ,,cranmer-,,byng4 ,s4 ,a4 ,,kapadia4 ,,northbrook ,,society1 #ba ,cromwell ,road1 ,kensington1 ,s4 ,w4 ,,introduction ,if among the twenty-two works with which ,sadi enriched the literature of his country the ,gulistn rank first in popularity1 the ,bustn 7lit4 8,garden07 may justly claim equal precedence in point of interest and merit4 ,no comprehensive translation of this important classical work has hitherto been placed before the reading public1 but it cannot be doubted that the character of its contents is such as to fully justify the attempt now made to familiarize ,english readers with the entertaining anecdotes and devotional wisdom which the ,sage of ,shiraz embodied in his ,palace of ,wealth4 ,this is the name which he applies to the ,bustn in an introductory chapter1 and it is one which springs from something more than a poet's fancy1 for the ten doors1 or chapters1 with which the edifice is furnished lead into a garden that is indeed rich in the fruits of knowledge gained by a wide experience of life in many lands1 and earnest thought4 ,the ,bustn is written in verse--a fact which adds considerably to the difficulties of translation1 since the invariable rule of ,sadi1 like that of every other ,persian poet we have read1 is to sacrifice sense to the exigencies of rhyme and metre4 ,in not a few cases the meaning is so confused on this account that even the native commentators1 who possess a fund of ingenuity in explaining what they do not properly understand1 have been compelled to pass over numerous couplets through sheer inability to unravel their intricacies and the abstruse ideas of the poet4 ,probably in no other language in the world is poetic license so freely permitted and indulged in as in ,persian4 ,the construction of sentences follows no rule2 the order of words is just that which the individual poet chooses to adopt1 and the idea of time--past1 present1 and future--is ignored in the use of tenses1 that part of a verb being alone employed which rhymes the best4 ,notwithstanding idiosyncrasies of this kind1 the ,bustn is written in a style that is delightfully pure and admirably adapted to the subject4 ,the devout spirit by which ,sadi was characterized throughout his chequered life is revealed in every page of the book4 ,in the ,gulistn he gave free rein to the quaint humour which for many centuries has been the delight of the ,eastern peoples1 and which an ever-increasing body of ,english readers is learning to appreciate and admire4 ,in the ,bustn the humour is more restrained2 its place is taken by a more sober reasoning of the duties of mankind towards the ,deity and towards their fellow-men4 ,devotion to ,god and the inflexibility of ,fate are the underlying texts of every poem1 and the ideality of the one and the stern reality of the other are portrayed in language the beauty of which1 it is to be feared1 the ,english rendering does not always adequately convey4 ,the poems abound in metaphor1 a figure of style which ,eastern writers employ to a degree that is always exaggerated1 and sometimes tedious2 but for the purpose of this translation1 which aims at a happy medium between literal accuracy and the freedom requisite in order to render ,oriental phraseology into polite ,english1 numerous of the more far-fetched allusions have been discarded1 to the benefit of the text4 ,although a memoir of ,sadi's life is included in another volume of this series1 it may not be out of place to give here a brief outline of the poet's career1 especially as the ,bustn contains several references to his childhood and travels4 ,sheikh ,muslih-ud-din ,sdi was born in ,shiraz1 in ,persia1 ,a4,d4 #aage2 that is to say1 #ega years after the flight of ,muhammad from ,mecca to ,medina4 ,he was the son of one ,abdu'llah 7servant of ,god71 who held a ,government office under the ,diwn of that time4 ,sadi was a child when his father died1 as is made clear from the pathetic poem in the second chapter1 ending with these words3 ,well do ,i know the orphan's sorrow1 ,for my father departed in my childhood4 ,but poorly endowed with earthly riches1 ,sadi endured many hardships in consequence of this bereavement1 and was eventually obliged to live1 together with his mother1 under the protection of a ,saracen chief4 ,how long he remained there it is impossible to say1 for the reason that his biographers are the reverse of informing4 ,this much is1 however1 known1 that being imbued from early childhood with an insatiable thirst for knowledge1 he eventually journeyed to ,baghdad1 then at the zenith of its intellectual fame1 and was enabled to enter a private school there through the generosity of a wealthy native gentleman4 ,making full use of the opportunity so favourably presented1 the young aspirant progressed rapidly along the path of learning1 and at the age of twenty-one made his first essays in authorship4 ,some fragmentary poems which he submitted with a long dedication to ,shams-ud-din1 the ,professor of ,literature at the ,nizmiah ,college of ,baghdad1 so pleased that able and discerning man that he at once fixed upon ,sadi a liberal allowance from his own private purse1 with the promise of every further assistance in his power4 ,soon after this1 ,sadi was admitted into the college1 and ultimately gained an ,idrr1 or fellowship4 ,in the seventh chapter of the ,bustn he narrates an instructive story reminiscent of his studies at ,nizmiah1 and1 prone to conceit though he often is1 he tells the story against himself4 ,his scholastic life did not terminate until he had reached the age of thirty4 ,of the value of this prolonged period of study he himself was fully cognisant4 8,dost thou not know10 he asks in the seventh chapter1 8how ,sadi attained to rank8 ,neither did he traverse the plains nor journey across the seas4 ,in his youth he lived under the yoke of the wise3 ,god granted him distinction in after-life4 ,and it is not long before he who is submissive in obedience exercises command40 ,no better example of the truth of this passage could be cited than that afforded by his own case4 ,on leaving ,baghdad1 he went in company with his tutor1 ,abdul ,qdir ,glni1 on a pilgrimage to ,mecca4 ,this was the first of many travels extending over a period of thirty years1 in the course of which he visited ,europe1 ,india1 and practically every part of what are known as the ,near and ,middle ,east4 ,a trip through ,syria and ,turkey is specifically mentioned in this book as inspiring the composition of the ,bustn4 ,not wishing1 as he tells us1 to return empty-handed to his friends at ,shiraz1 he built the ,palace of ,wealth1 and offered it to them as a gift4 ,he does not conceal the high opinion which he himself placed upon this product of his gifted pen4 ,the gracefully worded phrases with which he predicted the undying popularity of the ,gulistn finds a parallel in the dedication of the ,bustn to ,atabk ,abu ,bakr-bin-,sd1 the illustrious monarch of ,persia beneath whose protection ,sadi spent the latter half of his life4 8,although not wishing to sing the praises of kings10 he writes1 8,i have dedicated this book to one so that perhaps the pious will say that ,sadi1 who surpassed all in eloquence1 lived in the time of ,abu ,bakr ,sd40 ,then1 addressing the king1 he adds3 8,happy is thy fortune that ,sadi's date coincides with thine1 for as long as the moon and sun are in the skies thy memory will remain eternal in this book40 ,this conceit is pardonable1 since it has been amply justified by time4 ,after the thirty years of travel1 ,sadi1 becoming elderly1 settled down in ,persia1 where1 as has been said1 he gained the favour of the ruling prince1 from whom he derived not only the dignity and the more tangible advantages of the post of ,poet ,laureate1 but his takhallus1 or titular name1 of ,sadi4 ,he died at the ripe age of #aaf1 and was buried in his native city4 ,if the ,bustn were the only monument that remained of his genius1 his name would assuredly still be inscribed in the roll of the ,immortals4 ,one feature of his great intellectual faculties needs to be emphasized1 and all the more so because it is apt to be overlooked4 ,that is the increasing power which they assumed as he advanced in years1 the truth of which can be understood when it is stated that he composed the ,bustn at the age of #hb1 the ,gulistn appearing twelve months later4 ,few1 if any1 instances of such sustained mental activity are to be found elsewhere in the entire world's history of letters4 ,under the several headings of the various chapters a wide range of ethical subjects is discussed1 the whole forming a compendium of moral philosophy the broad principles of which must remain for all time as irrefutable as the precepts of ,scriptural teaching4 ,sadi's spiritual message is not that of a visionary4 ,his religion was an eminently practical one--he had no sympathies with the recluse and the ascetic4 ,to fulfil one's duties towards one's fellow-men is to fulfil one's duty towards the ,deity4 ,that is the root-idea of his teachings4 8,religion10 he observes1 8consists only in the service of the people3 it does not lie in the rosary1 or prayer-rug1 or mendicant's habit40 ,this couplet1 occurring in the opening chapter1 is put into the mouth of a certain pious man whom one of the kings of ,persia is said to have visited in a repentant mood for the purpose of seeking counsel4 ,the story1 like many others in the book1 may or may not have any foundation in fact1 8the histories of ancient kings10 which the poet frequently quotes as his authority1 being rather too vague to be convincing4 ,at the same time1 the historical allusions form an interesting and instructive background to the legends and the moral precepts so abundantly interwoven among them4 ,although ,persia is only yet in the process of readjusting her ideas of government and the prerogatives of rulers1 principles more advanced than seem compatible with despotism have been for many centuries current among her people1 in theory1 at least1 if not in practice4 ,muhammad said that a little practice with much knowledge was better than much practice with little knowledge4 ,on that ground ,persia has defence1 for the knowledge certainly was there4 ,what could better describe the true relationship between king and people than ,sadi's thirteenth-century epigram8-- ,subjects are as the root and the king is as the tree1 ,and the tree1 ,o son1 gains strength from the root4 ,not many months ago the autocratic tree at ,teheran was rudely severed from its root2 perchance the successors of ,abu ,bakr were not of those to whom 8the words of ,sadi are agreeable40 ,the saving grace of benevolence is illustrated in the second chapter by means of some entertaining anecdotes1 of two of which the hero is ,htim ,tai1 the famous ,arabian chief1 whose generosity was such that he preferred to die rather than disappoint the messenger sent by a jealous king to slay him4 ,the story of the ,darwesh and the ,fox is noteworthy inasmuch as it throws a much-needed light upon the ,eastern interpretation of all that is implied by 8qismat40 ,it is commonly supposed that the sense of inevitability removes from the ,eastern's mind the necessity for individual effort4 ,this view is distinctly erroneous4 ,no such pernicious doctrine is1 at any rate1 subscribed to by the educated classes2 to the lazy and ne'er-do-well who plead ,fate as their excuse1 ,sadi points the moral4 ,after demonstrating in the two succeeding chapters the powerlessness of man to avert the decrees of ,fate1 and the virtues of contentment1 the poet passes on to discuss the cultivation of the mind4 ,the comparison here drawn between the human mind and a city 8full of good and evil desires10 of which the ,ego is the ,sultan and ,reason the ,vazier1 is original and full of meaning4 ,despite his own much-vaunted eloquence and facility of speech1 ,sadi condemns in scathing terms the man of many words1 remarking poignantly that 8a grain of musk is better than a heap of mud40 ,so1 too1 in his opinion1 is a thief better than a back-biter1 and1 apropos of the gentler sex1 a woman of good nature better than one of beauty4 ,the advice to take a new wife every year cannot be regarded seriously1 even though it be true that last year's almanac has lost its usefulness4 ,more worthy of the poet is the discourse on the training of children4 ,nothing truer than the sentiments expressed in this poem did he ever utter1 and in ,england to-day there can be few who would dispute them4 ,excessive charm pervades the three concluding chapters4 ,if that bigotry and spirit of intolerance of which the ,mussulman1 no less than the followers of other creeds1 is guilty is revealed in no small measure1 criticism on that score must give place to wonder and admiration for the sincere and perfervid homage which the poet renders to the ,deity whom1 in the essence1 all nations worship4 ,the narrative1 in the eighth chapter1 of ,sadi's adventure with the idolaters in ,guzerat will be found amusing as well as enlightening4 ,nothing now remains for the translator but to join with ,sadi in his plea for indulgent criticism3 ,never have ,i heard it said ,the wise found fault with what they read4 ,though of ,chinese cloth a robe be made1 ,inside must a cotton lining be laid4 ,if thou wouldst but the cloth1 seek not to condemn-- ,gloss over the cotton with acumen4 ,on the ,day of ,judgment the wicked will be ,forgiven1 through them that have purity4 ,if in my words thou evil find1 ,do likewise1 forgive1 for more is behind4 ,if a word in a thousand suit thy taste1 ,do not denounce the rest in haste4 ,the poet goes on to remark that his compositions are esteemed in ,persia as is the choicest musk of ,tartary3 the translator is less fortunate and more modest4 ,a4 ,h4 ,e4 ,,the ,,bust,n ,,of ,,sadi ,,prologue ,,in ,,the ,,name ,,of ,,god1 ,,the ,,compassionate1 ,,the ,,merciful ,in the name of ,him who created and sustains the world1 the ,sage who endowed tongue with speech4 ,he attains no honour who turns the face from the door of ,his mercy4 ,the kings of the earth prostrate themselves before ,him in supplication4 ,he seizes not in haste the disobedient1 nor drives away the penitent with violence4 ,the two worlds are as a drop of water in the ocean of ,his knowledge4 ,he withholds not ,his bounty though ,his servants sin2 upon the surface of the earth has ,he spread a feast1 in which both friend and foe may share4 ,peerless ,he is1 and ,his kingdom is eternal4 ,upon the head of one ,he placeth a crown2 another he hurleth from the throne to the ground4 ,the fire of ,his friend ,he turneth into a flower-garden2 through the waters of the ,nile ,he sendeth ,his foes to perdition4 ,behind the veil ,he seeth all1 and concealeth our faults with ,his own goodness4 ,he is near to them that are downcast1 and accepteth the prayers of them that lament4 ,he knoweth of the things that exist not1 of secrets that are untold4 ,he causeth the moon and the sun to revolve1 and spreadeth water upon the earth4 ,in the heart of a stone hath ,he placed a jewel2 from nothing hath ,he created all that is4 ,who can reveal the secret of ,his qualities2 what eye can see the limits of ,his beauty8 ,the bird of thought cannot soar to the height of ,his presence1 nor the hand of understanding reach to the skirt of ,his praise4 ,think not1 ,o ,sadi1 that one can walk in the road of purity except in the footsteps of ,muhammad4 ,he is the patriarch of the prophets1 the guide of the path of salvation2 the mediator of mankind1 and the chief of the ,court of ,judgment4 ,what of thy praises can ,sadi utter8 ,the mercy of ,god be upon thee1 ,o ,prophet1 and peace4 ,,on ,,the ,,reason ,,for ,,the ,,writing ,,of ,,the ,,book ,i travelled in many regions of the globe and passed the days in the company of many men4 ,i reaped advantages in every corner1 and gleaned an ear of corn from every harvest4 ,but ,i saw none like the pious and devout men of ,shiraz--upon which land be the grace of ,god--my attachment with whom drew away my heart from ,syria and ,turkey4 ,i regretted that ,i should go from the garden of the world empty-handed to my friends1 and reflected3 8,travellers bring sugar-candy from ,egypt as a present to their friends4 ,although ,i have no candy1 yet have ,i words that are sweeter4 ,the sugar that ,i bring is not that which is eaten1 but what knowers of truth take away with respect40 ,when ,i built this ,palace of ,wealth1#a ,i furnished it with ten doors of instruction4#b ,it was in the year #fee that this famous treasury became full of the pearls of eloquence4 ,a quilted robe of silk1 or of ,chinese embroidery1 must of necessity be padded with cotton2 if thou obtain aught of the silk1 fret not--be generous and conceal the cotton4 ,i have heard that in the day of ,hope and ,fear the ,merciful ,one will pardon the evil for the sake of the good4 ,if thou see evil in my words1 do thou likewise4 ,if one couplet among a thousand please thee1 generously withhold thy fault-finding4 ,assuredly1 my compositions are esteemed in ,persia as the priceless musk of ,khutan4 ,sadi brings roses to the garden with mirth4 ,his verses are like dates encrusted with sugar--when opened1 a stone#c is revealed inside4 ,,concerning ,,at,,bak ,,abu ,,bakr1 ,,son ,,of ,s,d#d ,although not desiring to write in praise of kings1 ,i have inscribed this book to the name of a certain one so that perhaps the pious may say3 8,sadi1 who surpassed all in eloquence1 lived in the time of ,abu ,bakr1 the son of ,sd40 ,thus1 in this book will his memory remain so long as the moon and sun are in the skies4 ,beyond count are his virtues--may the world fulfil his desires1 the heavens be his friend1 and the ,creator be his guardian4 ,,chapter ,i ,,concerning ,,justice1 ,,counsel1 ,,and ,,the ,,administration ,,of ,,government ,the goodness of ,god surpasseth imagination2 what service can the tongue of praise perform8 ,keep1 ,o ,god1 this king1#e ,abu ,bakr1 beneath whose shadow is the protection of the people1 long established upon his throne1 and make his heart to live in obedience to ,thee4 ,render fruitful his tree of hope2 prolong his youth1 and adorn his face with mercy4 ,o ,king6 deck not thyself in royal garments when thou comest to worship3 make thy supplications like a darwesh1 saying3 8,o ,god6 powerful and strong ,thou art4 ,i am no monarch1 but a beggar in ,thy court4 ,unless ,thy help sustain me1 what can issue from my hand8 ,succour me1 and give me the means of virtue1 or else how can ,i benefit my people80 ,if thou rule by day1 pray fervently by night4 ,the great among thy servants wait upon thee at thy door2 thus shouldest thou serve1 with thy head in worship upon ,god's threshold4 ,,nush,,rav,n',s#f ,,counsel ,,to ,,his ,,son ,thus1 when at the point of death1 did ,nushravn counsel his son ,hurmuz3 8,cherish the poor1 and seek not thine own comfort4 ,the shepherd should not sleep while the wolf is among the sheep4 ,protect the needy1 for a king wears his crown for the sake of his subjects4 ,the people are as the root and the king as the tree2 and the tree1 ,o son1 gains strength from the root4 ,he should not oppress the people who has fear of injury to his kingdom4 ,seek not plenteousness in that land where the people are afflicted by the king4 ,fear them that are proud and them that fear not ,god40 ,,discourse ,,concerning ,,travellers ,the king who deals harshly with merchants who come from afar closes the door of well-being upon the whole of his subjects4 ,when do the wise return to the land of which they hear rumours of bad custom8 ,if thou desire a good name1 hold merchants and travellers in high esteem1 for they carry thy reputation through the world4 ,be cautious also lest1 being enemies in the guise of friends1 they seek thy injury4 ,advance the dignities of old friends1 for treachery comes not from them that are cherished4 ,when thy servant becomes stricken in years1 be not unmindful of thy obligations towards him4 ,if old age binds his hand from service1 the hand of generosity yet remains to thee4 ,,story ,,illustrating ,,the ,,need ,,for ,,deliberation ,there once landed at a seaport of ,arabia a man who had widely travelled and was versed in many sciences4 ,he presented himself at the palace of the king1 who was so captivated by his wisdom and knowledge that he appointed the traveller to the vaziership4 ,with such skill did he perform the duties of that office that he offended none1 and brought the kingdom completely beneath his sway4 ,he closed the mouths of slanderers1 because nothing evil issued from his hand2 and the envious1 who could detect no fault in him1 bemoaned their lack of opportunity to do him injury4 ,at the court1 however1 there were two beautiful young slaves towards whom the vazier displayed no small measure of affection4 7,if thou wouldst that thy rank endure1 incline not thy heart towards the fair2 and though thy love be innocent1 have care1 for there is fear of loss47 ,the former vazier1 who had been dismissed to make room for the newcomer1 maliciously carried the story to the king4 8,i know not10 he said1 8who this new minister may be1 but he lives not chastely in this land4 ,i have heard that he intrigues with two of thy slaves--he is a perfidious man1 and lustful4 ,it is not right that one such as he should bring ill-fame upon the court4 ,i am not so unmindful of the favours that ,i have received at thy hands that ,i should see these things and remain silent40 ,angered by what he heard1 the king stealthily watched the new vazier1 and when1 later1 he observed the latter glance towards one of the slaves1 who returned a covert smile1 his suspicions of evil became at once confirmed4 ,summoning the minister to his side1 he said3 8,i did not know thee to be shameless and unworthy4 ,such lofty station is not thy proper place4 ,but the fault is mine4 ,if ,i cherish one who is of evil nature1 assuredly do ,i sanction disloyalty in my house40 8,since my skirt is free from guilt10 the vazier replied1 8,i fear not the malignity of the evil-wisher4 ,i know not who has accused me of what ,i have not done40 8,this was told me by the old vazier10 explained the king4 ,the vazier smiled and said1 8,whatever he said is no cause for wonder4 ,what would the envious man say when he saw me in his former place8 ,him ,i knew to be my enemy that day when ,khasrav#g appointed him to lower rank than me4 ,never till ,doomsday will he accept me as a friend when in my promotion he sees his own decline4 ,if thou wilt give ear to thy slave ,i will narrate a story that is apropos4 8,in a dream some one saw the ,prince of ,evil1 whose figure was as erect as a fir-tree1 and whose face was as fair as the sun4 ,regarding him1 the sleeper said3 #8,o splendid being6 ,mankind knows not of thy beauty4 ,fearful of countenance do they imagine thee1 and hideous have they depicted thee on the walls of the public baths4' ,the ,prince of ,evil smiled3 #8,such is not my figure1' he replied2 #8but the pencil was in the hand of an enemy6 ,the root of their stock did ,i throw out of ,paradise2 now in malice do they paint me ugly4' 8,in the same way10 continued the vazier1 8although my fame is good1 the envious speak ill of me4 ,those who are guiltless are brave in speech2 only he who gives false weight has fear of the inspector40 8,forsooth10 the king exclaimed1 his anger rising1 8,i heard this not only from thine enemy4 ,have ,i not seen with my own eyes that among the assemblage of this court thou regardest none but those two slaves80 8,that is true10 the vazier said1 8but ,i will explain this matter if thou wilt listen4 ,dost thou not know that the beggar eyes the rich with envy8 ,once1 like those slaves1 did ,i possess both grace and beauty4 ,two rows of teeth were set behind my lips1 erect like a wall of ivory#h bricks4 ,one by one1 like ancient bridges1 have they fallen--regard me now as here ,i stand6 ,why may ,i not glance with envy at those slaves when they recall to me the past80 ,when the wise man had pierced this pearl of lustrous truth1 the king exclaimed3 8,better than this it would be impossible to speak4 ,permissible it is to look toward the fair in one who can thus excuse himself4 ,had ,i not in wisdom acted with deliberation1 ,i should have wronged him through the speech of an enemy40 ,to carry the hand quickly to the sword in anger is to carry the back of the hand to the teeth in regret4 ,heed not the words of the envious2 if thou actest upon them1 remorseful wilt thou be4 ,admonishing the slanderer for his evil words1 the king further increased the dignity of the vazier1 who directed the affairs of the ,state for many years with justice and benevolence1 and was long remembered for his virtues4 ,,story ,,of ,,the ,,king ,,whose ,,coat ,,was ,,coarse ,a certain just king habitually wore a coat of coarse material4 ,some one said to him3 8,o happy king6 ,make for thyself a coat of ,chinese brocade40 8,that which ,i wear10 the king replied1 8affords both covering and comfort2 anything beyond that is luxury4 ,i collect not tribute that ,i may adorn my person and my throne4 ,if1 like a woman1 ,i ornament my body1 how1 like a man1 can ,i repulse the enemy8 ,the royal treasuries are not for me alone--they are filled for the sake of the army1 not for the purchase of ornaments and jewellery40 ,,story ,,of ,,darius#i ,,and ,,the ,,herdsman ,darius1 king of ,persia1 became separated from his retinue while hunting4 ,a herdsman came running towards him1 and the king1 assuming the man to be an enemy1 adjusted his bow4 ,thereupon the herdsman cried3 8,i am no enemy2 seek not to kill me4 ,i am he who tends the king's horses1 and in this meadow am thus engaged40 ,becoming again composed1 the king smiled and said3 8,heaven has befriended thee2 otherwise would ,i have drawn the bowstring to my ear40 8,it showeth neither wise administration nor good judgment10 replied the herdsman1 8when the king knows not an enemy from a friend4 ,those who are greatest should know those who are least4 ,many times hast thou seen me in thy presence1 and asked of me concerning the horses and the grazing-fields4 ,now that ,i come again before thee thou takest me for an enemy4 ,more skilled am ,i1 ,o king1 for ,i can distinguish one horse out of a hundred thousand4 ,tend thou thy people as ,i1 with sense and judgment1 tend my horses40 ,ruin brings sorrow to that kingdom where the wisdom of the shepherd exceeds that of the king4 ,,story ,,of ,,abdul ,,aziz ,,and ,,the ,,pearl ,the story is told of ,abdul ,aziz that he had a pearl of great beauty and value set in a ring4 ,shortly after1 a severe drought occurred1 causing distress among the people4 ,moved by compassion1 the king ordered the pearl to be sold and the money that it fetched to be given to the poor4 ,some one chided him for doing this1 saying3 8,never again will such a stone come into thy hands40 ,weeping1 the king replied3 8,ugly is an ornament upon the person of a king when the hearts of his people are distressed by want4 ,better for me is a stoneless ring than a sorrowing people40 ,happy is he who sets the ease of others above his own4 ,the virtuous desire not their own pleasure at the expense of others4 ,when the king sleeps neglectfully upon his couch1 ,i trow not that the beggar finds enviable repose4 ,,story ,,of ,,how ,,tukla ,,was ,,rebuked ,,by ,a ,,devotee ,tukla1 king of ,persia1 once visited a devotee and said3 8,fruitless have been my years4 ,none but the beggar carries riches from the world when earthly dignities are passed4 ,hence1 would ,i now sit in the corner of devotion that ,i might usefully employ the few short days that yet remain to me40 ,the devotee was angered at these words4 8,enough60 he cried4 8,religion consists alone in the service of the people2 it finds no place in the rosary1 or prayer-rug1 or tattered garment4 ,be a king in sovereignty and a devotee in purity of morals4 ,action1 not words1 is demanded by religion1 for words without action are void of substance40 ,,discourse ,,concerning ,,riches ,,and ,,poverty ,say not that no dignity excels that of sovereignty1 for no kingdom is more free from care than that of the darwesh4 ,they that are the most lightly burdened reach the destination first4 ,the poor man is afflicted by lack of bread2 the king by the cares of his kingdom4 ,though one may rule and another may serve1 though the one be exalted to the height of ,saturn and the other languish in a prison1 when death has claimed them it will not be possible to distinguish between the two4 ,,story ,,of ,,qazal ,,arsal,n#aj ,,and ,,the ,,fort ,qazal ,arsaln possessed a fort1 which raised its head to the height of ,alwand4#aa ,secure from all were those within its walls1 for its roads were a labyrinth1 like the curls of a bride4 ,from a learned traveller ,qazal once inquired3 8,didst thou ever1 in thy wanderings1 see a fort as strong as this80 8,splendid it is10 was the reply1 8but methinks not it confers much strength4 ,before thee1 did not other kings possess it for a while1 then pass away8 ,after thee1 will not other kings assume control1 and eat the fruits of the tree of thy hope80 ,in the estimation of the wise1 the world is a false gem that passes each moment from one hand to another4 ,a ,,story ,,of ,,damascus ,such famine was there once in ,damascus that lovers forgot their love4 ,so miserly was the sky towards the earth that the sown fields and the date-trees moistened not their lips4 ,fountains dried up1 and no water remained but the tears in the eyes of the orphans4 ,if smoke issued from a chimney1 nought was it but the sighs of the widows4 ,like beggars1 the trees stood leafless1 and the mountains lost their verdure4 ,the locusts devoured the gardens1 and men devoured the locusts4 ,at that time came to me a friend on whose bones skin alone remained4 ,i was astonished1 since he was of lofty rank and rich4 8,o friend60 said ,i1 8what misfortune has befallen thee80 8,where is thy sense80 he answered4 8,seest thou not that the severities of famine have reached their limit8 ,rain comes not from the sky1 neither do the lamentations of the suffering reach to heaven40 8,thou1 at least10 ,i urged1 8hast nought to fear2 poison kills only where there is no antidote40 ,regarding me with indignation1 as a learned man regards a fool1 my friend replied3 8,although a man be safely on the shore1 he stands not supine while his friends are drowning4 ,my face is not pale through want2 the sorrows of the poor have wounded my heart4 ,although1 praise be to ,allah1 ,i am free from wounds1 ,i tremble when ,i see the wounds of others40 ,bitter are the pleasures of him who is in health when a sick man is at his side4 ,when the beggar has not eaten1 poisonous and baneful is one's food4 ,,story ,,of ,a ,,bully ,a bully fell down a well and passed the night in wailing and lamenting4 ,some one threw a stone down on to his head1 and said3 8,didst thou ever go to any one's assistance that thou shouldst to-day cry out for help8 ,didst thou ever sow the seeds of virtue8 ,who would place a salve upon thy wounds when the hearts of all cry out by reason of thy tyrannies8 ,across our path thou didst dig a pit1 into which1 perforce1 hast thou now fallen40 ,if thou do evil expect not goodness2 never does the withered grape-vine bring forth fruit4 ,o thou who soweth the seed in autumn6 ,i think not that thou wilt reap the corn at harvest-time4 ,if thou nourish the thorn-tree of the desert1 think not that thou wilt ever eat its fruit4 ,green dates come not from the poisonous colocynth2 when thou sowest seed1 hope only for the fruit of that very seed4 ,,chapter ,,ii ,,concerning ,,benevolence ,if thou art wise1 incline towards the essential truth1 for that remains1 while the things that are external pass away4 ,he who has neither knowledge1 generosity1 nor piety resembles a man in form alone4 ,he sleeps at peace beneath the ground who made tranquil the hearts of men4 ,give now of thy gold and bounty1 for eventually will it pass from thy grasp4 ,open the door of thy treasure to-day1 for to-morrow the key will not be in thy hands4 ,if thou would not be distressed on the ,day of ,judgment1 forget not them that are distressed4 ,drive not the poor man empty from thy door1 lest thou should wander before the doors of strangers4 ,he protects the needy who fears that he himself may become needful of the help of others4 ,art not thou1 too1 a supplicant8 ,be grateful1 and turn not away them that supplicate thee4 ,,story ,,illustrative ,,of ,,doing ,,good ,,to ,,the ,,evil ,a woman said to her husband3 8,do not again buy bread from the baker in this street4 ,make thy purchases in the market1 for this man shows wheat and sells barley1#ab and he has no customers but a swarm of flies40 8,o light of my life10 the husband answered1 8pay no heed to his trickery4 ,in the hope of our custom has he settled in this place1 and not humane would it be to deprive him of his profits40 ,follow the path of the righteous1 and1 if thou stand upon thy feet1 stretch out thy hand to them that are fallen4 ,,story ,,concerning ,,fasting ,the wife of an officer of a king said to her husband3 8,arise1 and go to the royal palace1 that they may give thee food1 for thy children are in want40 8,the kitchen is closed to-day10 he answered2 8last night the ,sultan resolved to fast awhile40 ,in the despair of hunger1 the woman bowed her head and murmured3 8,what does the ,sultan seek from his fasting when his breaking the fast means a festival of joy for our children80 ,one who eats that good may follow is better than a ,mammon-worshipper who continually fasts4 ,proper it is to fast with him who feeds the needy in the morning4 ,,story ,,illustrative ,,of ,,practical ,,charity ,a certain man had generosity without the means of displaying it2 his pittance was unequal to his benevolence4 7,may riches never fall to the mean1 nor poverty be the lot of the generous67 ,his charities exceeding the depth of his pocket1 therefore was he always short of money4 ,one day a poor man wrote to him saying3 8,o thou of happy nature6 ,assist me with funds1 since for some time have ,i languished in prison40 ,the generous man would have willingly acceded to the request1 but he possessed not so much as the smallest piece of money4 ,but he sent someone to the creditors of the prisoner with the message3 8,free this man for a few days1 and ,i will be his security40 ,then did he visit the prisoner in his cell and say3 8,arise1 and fly with haste from the city40 ,when a sparrow sees open the door of its cage1 it tarries not a moment4 ,like the morning breeze1 the prisoner flew from the land4 ,thereupon1 they seized his benefactor1 saying3 8,produce either the man or the money40 ,powerless to do either1 he went to prison1 for a bird escaped is ne'er recaught4 ,long there did he remain1 invoking help from none1 nor complaining1 though he slept not at nights through restlessness4 ,a pious man came to him and said3 8,i did not think that thou wert dishonest2 why art thou here imprisoned80 8,no villainy have ,i committed10 he replied4 8,i saw a helpless man in bonds and his freedom only in my own confinement4 ,i did not deem it right that ,i should live in comfort while another was fettered by the legs40 ,eventually he died1 leaving a good name behind4 ,happy is he whose name dies not6 ,he who sleeps beneath the earth with a heart that lives is better than he who lives with a soul that is dead1 for the former remains for ever4 ,,story ,,of ,a ,,man ,,and ,a ,,thirsty ,,dog ,in a desert a man found a dog that was dying from thirst4 ,using his hat as a bucket1 he fetched water from a well and gave it to the helpless animal4 ,the prophet of the time stated that ,god had forgiven the man his sins because of his kindly act4 ,reflect1 if thou be a tyrant1 and make a profession of benevolence4 ,he who shows kindness to a dog will not do less towards the good among his fellows4 ,be generous to the extent of thy power4 ,if thou hast not dug a well in the desert1 at least place a lamp in a shrine4#ac ,charity distributed from an ox's skin that is filled with treasure counts for less than a dinar given from the wages of toil4 ,every man's burden is suited to his strength--heavy to the ant is the foot of the locust4 ,do good to others so that on the morrow ,god may not deal harshly with thee4 ,be lenient with thy slave1 for he may one day become a king1 like a pawn that becomes a queen4 ,,story ,,apropos ,,of ,,nemesis ,a poor man complained of his distressed condition to one who was rich as well as ill-dispositioned4 ,the latter refused to help him1 and turned roughly upon him in anger4 ,the beggar's heart bled by reason of this violence3 8,strange60 he reflected1 8that this rich man should be of such forbidding countenance6 ,perhaps he fears not the bitterness of begging40 ,the rich man ordered his slave to drive the beggar away4 ,as a result of his ingratitude for the blessings that he enjoyed1 ,fortune forsook him1 and he lost all that he possessed4 ,his slave passed into the hands of a generous man of enlightened mind1 who was as gladdened at the sight of a beggar as the latter is at the sight of riches4#ad ,one night a beggar asked alms of the latter1 and he commanded his slave to give the man to eat4 ,when the slave took food to the supplicant he involuntarily uttered a cry1 and went back weeping4 8,why these tears80 his master asked4 8,my heart is grieved at the plight of this unfortunate old man10 the slave replied4 8,once was he the owner of much wealth1 and ,i his slave40 ,the master smiled and said3 8,this is not cause for grief1 ,o son4 ,time1 in its revolutions1 is not unjust4 ,was not that indigent man formerly a merchant who carried his head high in the air through pride8 ,i am he whom that day he drove from his door4 ,fate has now put him in the place that ,i then occupied4 ,heaven befriended me and washed the dust of sorrow from my face4 ,though ,god1 in ,his wisdom1 closed one door1 another1 in ,his mercy1 did ,he open40 ,many a needy one has become filled1 and many a ,plutos has gone empty4 ,,story ,,of ,a ,,fool ,,and ,a ,,fox ,some one saw a fox that was bereft of the use of its legs4 ,he was wondering how the animal managed to live in this condition when a tiger drew near with a jackal in its claws4 ,the tiger ate the jackal1 and the fox finished the remains4 ,the next day also did the ,omnipotent ,provider send the fox its daily meal4 ,the eyes of the man were thus opened to the light of true knowledge4 8,after this10 he reflected1 8,i will sit in a corner like an ant1 for the elephant's portion is not gained by reason of its strength40 ,so did he sit in silence1 waiting for his daily food to come from the ,invisible4 ,no one heeded him1 and soon was he reduced to skin and bones4 ,when1 at last1 his senses had almost gone through weakness1 a voice came out from the wall of a mosque1 saying3 8,go1 ,o false one6 ,be the rending tiger1 and pose not as a paralytic fox4 ,exert thyself like the tiger1 so that something may remain from thy spoil4 ,why1 like the fox1 appease thy hunger with leavings8 ,eat of the fruits of thine own endeavours2 strive like a man1 and relieve the wants of the needy40 ,seize1 ,o youth1 the hand of the aged2 fall not thyself1 saying1 8,hold my hand40 ,in the two worlds does he obtain reward who does good to the people of ,god4 ,,story ,,of ,a ,,devout ,,miser ,in the remote regions of ,turkey there lived a good and pious man1 whom ,i and some fellow-travellers once visited4 ,he received us cordially1 and seated us with respect4 ,he had vineyards1 and wheat-fields1 slaves and gold1 but was as miserly as a leafless tree4 ,his feelings were warm1 but his fireplace was cold4 ,he passed the night awake in prayer1 and we in hunger4 ,in the morning he girt his loins and recommenced the same politeness of the previous night4 ,one of our party was of merry wit and temper4 8,come1 give us food in change for a kiss10#ae he said1 8for that is better to a hungry man4 ,in serving me1 place not thy hand upon my shoe1 but give me bread and strike thy shoe upon my head40 ,excellence is attained by generosity1 not by vigils in the night4 ,idle words are a hollow drum2 invocations without merit are a weak support4 ,,story ,,of ,h,,tim ,,tai#af ,htim ,tai possessed a horse whose fleetness was as that of the morning breeze4 ,of this was the ,sultan of ,turkey informed4 8,like ,htim ,tai10 he was told1 8none is equal in generosity2 like his horse1 nothing is equal in speed and gait4 ,as a ship in the sea it traverses the desert1 while the eagle1 exhausted1 lags behind40 8,from ,htim will ,i request that horse10 the king replied4 8,if he be generous and give it to me1 then shall ,i know that his fame is true2 if not1 that it is but the sound of a hollow drum40 ,so he despatched a messenger with ten followers to ,htim4 ,they alighted at the house of the ,arab chief1 who prepared a feast and killed a horse#ag in their honour4 ,on the following day1 when the messenger explained the object of his mission1 ,htim became as one mad with grief4 8,why10 he cried1 8didst thou not give me before thy message8 ,that swift-paced horse did ,i roast last night for thee to eat4 ,no other means had ,i to entertain thee2 that horse alone stood by my tent1 and ,i would not that my guests should sleep fasting40 ,to the men he gave money and splendid robes1 and when the news of his generosity reached to ,turkey1 the king showered a thousand praises upon his nature4 ,,story ,,of ,h,,tim ,,and ,,the ,,messenger ,,sent ,,to ,,kill ,,him ,one of the kings of ,yaman was renowned for his liberality1 yet the name of ,htim was never mentioned in his presence without his falling into a rage4 8,how long10 he would ask1 8wilt thou speak of that vain man1 who possesses neither a kingdom1 nor power1 nor wealth80 ,on one occasion he prepared a royal feast1 which the people were invited to attend4 ,someone began to speak of ,htim1 and another to praise him4 ,envious1 the king despatched a man to slay the ,arabian chief1 reflecting3 8,so long as ,htim lives1 my name will never become famous40 ,the messenger departed1 and travelled far seeking for ,htim that he might kill him4 ,as he went along the road a youth came out to meet him4 ,he was handsome and wise1 and showed friendliness toward the messenger1 whom he took to his house to pass the night4 ,such liberality did he shower upon his guest that the heart of the evil-minded one was turned to goodness4 ,in the morning the generous youth kissed his hand and said3 8,remain with me for a few days40 8,i am unable to tarry here10 replied the messenger1 8for urgent business is before me40 8,if thou wilt entrust me with thy secret10 said the youth1 8to aid thee will ,i spare no effort40 8,o generous man60 was the reply1 8give ear to me1 for ,i know that the generous are concealers of secrets4 ,perhaps in this country thou knowest ,htim1 who is of lofty mind and noble qualities4 ,the king of ,yaman desires his head1 though ,i know not what enmity has arisen between them4 ,grateful shall ,i be if thou wilt direct me to where he is4 ,this hope from thy kindness do ,i entertain1 ,o friend40 ,the youth laughed and said3 8,i am ,htim2 see here my head6 strike it from my body with thy sword4 ,i would not that harm should befall thee1 or that thou shouldst fail in thy endeavour40 ,throwing aside his sword1 the man fell on the ground and kissed the dust of ,htim's feet4 8,if ,i injured a hair on thy body10 he cried1 8,i should no longer be a man40 ,so saying1 he clasped ,htim to his breast and took his way back to ,yaman4 8,come10 said the king as the man approached1 8what news hast thou8 ,why didst thou not tie his head to thy saddle-straps8 ,perhaps that famous one attacked thee and thou wert too weak to engage in combat40 ,the messenger kissed the ground and said3 8,o wise and just king6 ,i found ,htim1 and saw him to be generous and full of wisdom1 and in courage superior to myself4 ,my back was bent by the burden of his favours2 with the sword of kindness and bounty he killed me40 ,when he had related all that he had seen of ,htim's generosity1 the king uttered praises upon the family of the ,arab chief and rewarded the messenger with gold4 ,,story ,,illustrative ,,of ,,misdirected ,,kindness ,a certain man1 in the ceiling of whose house some bees had built their hives1 asked his wife for a butchers' knife so that he might destroy them4 8,do not so10 the woman said1 8for the poor creatures will be greatly distressed when turned out of their homes40 ,accordingly1 the foolish man left the bees in peace4 ,one day the woman was stung by one of the insects and stood wailing on the doorstep4 ,hearing her cries1 the husband left his shop and hurried towards the house4 ,angered1 he said3 8,o wife6 show not such a bitter face to the world2 remember thou didst say to me1 #8,kill not the poor bees4'0 ,how can one do good to the evil8 ,forbearance with the wicked but increases their iniquity4 ,what is a dog that a dish of viands should be set before him8 ,command that they should give him bones4 ,a kicking animal is best well-burdened4 ,if the night-watchman display humanity1 no one sleeps at night for fear of thieves4 ,in the battle-field1 the spear-shaft is worth more than a hundred thousand sugar-canes4 ,when thou rearest a cat1 she destroys thy pigeons2 when thou makest fat a wolf1 he rends one who is dear to thee4 ,raise not a building that has not a strong foundation2 if thou dost1 beware4 ,,discourse ,,concerning ,,kindness ,,to ,,orphans ,protect him whose father is dead2 remove the dust from his raiment1 and injure him not4 ,thou knowest not how hard is his condition2 no foliage is there on a rootless tree4 ,give not a kiss to a child of thine own in the sight of a helpless orphan4 ,if the latter weep1 who will assuage his grief8 ,if he be angered1 who will bear his burden8 ,see that he weeps not1 for the throne of ,god trembles at the orphan's lament4 ,with pity1 wipe the tears from his eyes and the dust from his face4 ,if the protecting shadow of his father's care be gone1 cherish him beneath the shadow of thy care4 ,upon my head was a kingly crown when it reposed upon the bosom of my father4 ,then1 if a fly settled upon my body1 many were distressed on my behalf4 ,now1 should ,i be taken in captivity1 not one among my friends would come to aid me4 ,well do ,i know the orphan's sorrow1 for my father departed in my childhood4 ,,chapter ,,iii ,,concerning ,,love ,happy are the days of them that are infatuated by love for ,him1 whether they be sorrowed by separation from ,him or made joyous by ,his presence4 ,they are mendicants who fly from worldly sovereignty2 in the hope of meeting ,him they are patient in their mendicity4 ,oft have they drunk of the wine of anguish2 be it bitter1 they remain silent4 ,in the remembrance of ,him patience is not bitter1 for wormwood is sweet from the hand of a friend4 ,they that are captive in the coils of ,his love1 seek not to escape2 they suffer reproach1 but are monarchs in the seclusion of their meditation1 and their way is not known4 ,they are like the temple of ,jerusalem1 splendid of which is the interior1 but whose outer wall is left in ruin4 ,like moths1 they burn themselves in the fire of love4 ,their beloved is in their breasts1 yet do they seek ,him2 though near a fountain1 their lips are parched4#ah ,,discourse ,,concerning ,,constancy ,thy love renders thee impatient and disturbed4 ,with such sincerity hast thou placed thy head at her feet that thou art oblivious to the world4 ,when in the eyes of thy beloved riches count not1 gold and dust are as one to thee4 ,thou sayest that she dwelleth in thine eyes--if they be closed1 she is in thy mind4 ,if she demand thy life1 thou dost place it in her hand2 if she place a sword upon thy head1 thou holdest it forward4 ,when earthly love produces such confusion and such obedience demands1 dost thou wonder if travellers of the road of ,god remain engulfed in the ,ocean of ,reality8 ,in the remembrance of their ,friend they have turned their backs upon the world2 they are so fascinated by the ,cup-bearer that they have spilled the wine4 ,no medicine can cure them1 for no one has knowledge of their pains4 ,with their cries of longing do they root up a mountain2 with their sighs they dismember a kingdom4 ,such is their weeping at dawn that the tears wash the collyrium of sleep from their eyes4 ,night and day are they immersed in the sea of love2 so distracted are they that they know not night from day4 ,so enamoured are they of the beauty of the ,painter that they care not for the beauty of ,his designs4 ,he drinks of the pure wine of ,unity who is forgetful of both this world and the next4 ,,story ,,of ,a ,,dancer ,i have heard that1 at the singing of a musician1 one of fairy-face began to dance4 ,surrounded by distracted hearts1 the flame of a candle caught her skirt4 ,she was distressed and angered4 ,one of her lovers said1 8,why agitate thyself8 ,the fire has burned thy skirts--it#ai has entirely consumed the harvest of my life40 ,,story ,,illustrating ,,the ,,reality ,,of ,,love ,one who loved ,god set his face towards the desert4 ,his father1 being grieved at his absence1 neither ate nor slept4 ,some one admonished the son1 who said3 8,since my ,friend has claimed me as ,his own1 no other friendship do ,i own4 ,when ,he revealed to me ,his beauty1 all else that ,i saw appeared unreal40 ,they that love ,him care for no one else2 their senses are confused and their ears are deaf to the words of them that reproach4 ,they wander through the desert of ,divine ,knowledge without a caravan4 ,they have no hope of approbation from their fellow-men1 for they are the chosen of the elect of ,god4 ,,story ,,illustrative ,,of ,,patience ,an old man begged at the door of a mosque4 ,some one said to him3 8,this is not the place to beg2 stand not here with impudence40 8,what house is this10 the man inquired1 8from which no pity comes upon the condition of the poor80 8,silence60 was the reply4 8,what foolish words are these8 ,this is the house of our ,master60 ,the beggar raised a cry3 8,alas10 he said1 8that ,i should be disappointed at this door4 ,i have not gone hopeless from any street2 why should ,i go thus from the door of ,god8 ,here will ,i stretch forth my hand of want1 for ,i know that ,i shall not depart empty-handed40 ,for a year he remained devoutly employed in the mosque4 ,one night1 through weakness1 his heart began to palpitate1 and at daybreak his last breath flickered like a morning lamp4 ,thus did he exclaim with joy3 8,and whoever knocked at the door of the ,bounteous ,one1 it opened40 ,he who seeks ,god should be patient and enduring2 ,i have not heard of an alchemist being sad4 ,much gold he reduces to ashes so that he may one day turn copper into gold4 ,gold is good with which to buy--and what couldst thou wish to buy better than the face of thy ,friend8#bj ,,story ,,of ,,one ,,who ,,was ,,assiduous ,,in ,,prayer ,an old man spent the night in worship and the morning in prayer4 ,a guardian angel whispered to him3 8,go1 take thy way1 for thy prayers are not acceptable at this door40 ,the next night again he passed the night in devotion2 and a disciple1 being informed of his circumstances1 said3 8,when thou seest that the door is shut1 why dost thou thus exert thyself80 ,weeping1 he replied3 8,o my son6 ,dost thou suppose that although ,he has torn my reins ,i shall keep my hands from off his saddle-straps8 ,when a supplicant is repelled at one door1 what is his fear if he know of another80 ,while thus he spoke1 with his head upon the ground1 the angel uttered this message in his ear3 8,although there is no merit in him1 his prayers are accepted1 for except ,me he has no refuge40 ,,story ,,of ,,sultan ,,mahm,d ,,and ,,his ,,love ,,for ,,ay,z ,some one found fault with the king of ,ghazni1 saying3 8,ayz1 his favourite slave1 possesses no beauty4 ,it is strange that a nightingale should love a rose that has neither colour nor perfume40 ,this was told to ,mahmd1 who said3 8,my love1 ,o sir1 is for his virtues1 not for his form and stature40 ,i have heard that in a narrow pass a camel fell and a chest of pearls was broken4 ,the king gave the signal for plunder1 and urged on his horse with speed4 ,the horsemen did likewise1 and1 leaving the king behind1 gathered up the pearls4 ,not one of them remained near the king but ,ayz4 8,o thou of curly locks60 said ,mahmd1 8what hast thou gained of the plunder80 8,nothing10 he replied4 8,i walked in haste behind thee3 ,i do not occupy myself with riches away from thy service40 ,if an honourable place in the court be thine1 be not neglectful of the king on account of gain elsewhere4 ,,story ,,of ,a ,,village ,,chief ,a village chief passed with his son through the centre of the imperial army4 ,in the presence of such pomp and splendour the man displayed humility and fled1 through fear1 into a corner4 8,after all10 observed his son1 8thou art a village chief1 and in chieftaincy greater than the nobles4 ,why dost thou tremble like a willow tree80 8,true10 replied his father4 8,i am a chief and a ruler1 but my honour lies as far as my village40 ,thus are the saints overwhelmed with fear when they stand in the court of their ,king4 ,,story ,,of ,a ,,fire-,,fly ,perhaps thou mayest have seen the fire-fly shine like a lamp in the garden at night4 8,o night-illuminating moth60 some one said1 8why comest thou not out in the day-time80 ,the fly gave an answer full of wisdom3 8,because ,i am not visible before the sun40 ,,story ,,of ,a ,,moth ,,and ,a ,,candle ,some one said to a moth3 8,go1 thou contemptible creature1 and make friendship with one worthy of thyself2 go where thou seest the path of hope4 ,how different is thy love from that of the candle6 ,thou art not a salamander--hover not around the fire1 for bravery is necessary before combat4 ,it is not compatible with reason that thou shouldst acknowledge as a friend one whom thou knowest to be thine enemy40 8,what does it matter if ,i burn80 the moth replied4 8,i have love in my heart1 and this flame is as a flower to me4 ,not of my own accord do ,i throw myself into the fire2 the chain of her love is upon my neck4 ,who is it that finds fault with my friendship for my friend8 ,i am content to be slain at her feet4 ,i burn because she is dear to me1 and because my destruction may affect her4 ,say not to the helpless man from whose hands the reins have fallen1 #8,drive slowly4'0 ,,another ,,story ,,on ,,the ,,same ,,subject ,one night1 as ,i lay awake1 ,i heard a moth say to a candle3 8,i am thy lover2 if ,i burn1 it is proper4 ,why dost thou weep80 ,the candle replied3 8,o my poor friend6 ,love is not thy business4 ,thou fliest from before a flame2 ,i stand erect until ,i am entirely consumed4 ,if the fire of love has burned thy wings1 regard me1 who from head to foot must be destroyed40 ,before the night had passed1 some one put the candle out1 exclaiming3 8,such is the end of love60 ,grieve not over the grave of one who lost his life for his friend2 be glad of heart1 for he was the chosen of ,him4 ,if thou art a lover1 wash not thy head of the sickness of love2 like ,sadi1 wash thy hands of selfishness4 ,a devoted lover holds not back his hand from the object of his affections though arrows and stones may rain upon his head4 ,be cautious2 if thou goest down to the sea1 give thyself up to the storm4 ,,chapter ,,iv ,,concerning ,,humility ,thou1 ,o creature of ,god1 wast created of the dust2 therefore1 be humble as the dust4 ,be not covetous1 nor oppressive1 nor headstrong4 ,thou art from the dust2 be not like fire4 ,when the terrible fire raised his head in pride1 the dust prostrated itself in humility4 ,and since the fire was arrogant and the dust was meek1 from the former were the demons formed1 and from the latter mankind4 ,,story ,,of ,a ,,raindrop ,a raindrop fell from a spring cloud1 and1 seeing the wide expanse of the sea1 was shamed4 8,where the sea is10 it reflected1 8where am ,i8 ,compared with that1 forsooth1 ,i am extinct40 ,while thus regarding itself with an eye of contempt1 an oyster took it to its bosom1 and ,fate so shaped its course that eventually the raindrop became a famous royal pearl4 ,it was exalted1 for it was humble4 ,knocking at the door of extinction1 it became existent4 ,,story ,,illustrative ,,of ,,pious ,,men ,,regarding ,,themselves ,,with ,,contempt ,a sagacious youth of noble family landed at a seaport of ,turkey1 and1 as he displayed piety and wisdom1 his baggage was deposited in a mosque4 ,one day the priest said to him3 8,sweep away the dust and rubbish from the mosque40 ,immediately1 the young man went away and no one saw him there again4 ,thus1 did the elder and his followers suppose he did not care to serve4 ,the next day1 a servant of the mosque met him on the road and said3 8,thou didst act wrongly in thy perverse judgment4 ,knowest thou not1 ,o conceited youth1 that men are dignified by service80 ,sorrowfully1 the youth began to weep4 8,o soul-cherishing and heart-illuminating friend60 he answered2 8,i saw no dirt or rubbish in that holy place but mine own corrupt self4 ,therefore1 ,i retraced my steps1 for a mosque is better cleansed from such40 ,humility is the only ritual for a devotee4 ,if thou desire greatness1 be humble2 no other ladder is there by which to climb4 ,,story ,,of ,,sultan ,b,,yaz,d ,,bust,,mi#ba ,when ,byazd was coming from his bath one morning during the ,id festival1 some one unwittingly emptied a tray of ashes from a window upon his head4 ,with his face and turban all bespattered1 he rubbed his hands in gratitude and said3 8,i am in truth worthy of the fires of hell2 why should ,i be angered by a few ashes80 ,the great do not regard themselves2 look not for godliness in a self-conceited man4 ,eminence does not consist in outward show and vaunting words1 nor dignity in hauteur and pretension4 ,on the ,day of ,judgment thou wilt see in ,paradise him who sought truth and rejected vain pretension4 ,he who is headstrong and obdurate falleth headlong2 if thou desire greatness1 abandon pride4 ,,discourse ,,on ,,conceit ,expect not him who is possessed of worldly vanities to follow the path of religion1 nor look for godliness in him who wallows in conceit4 ,if thou desire dignity1 do not1 like the mean1 regard thy fellows with contemptuous eyes4 ,seek no position more honourable than that of being known to the world as a man of laudable character4 ,thou deemest him not great who1 being of equal rank1 is haughty towards thee2 when thou makest a similar display before others1 dost thou not appear before them as the arrogant appear before thee8 ,if thou art eminent1 laugh not1 if thou art wise1 at them that are lowly4 ,many have fallen from high whose places have been taken by the fallen4 ,though thou be free from defect1 revile not me who am full of blemishes4 ,one holds the chain of the ,kba temple in his hands2 another lies drunken in the tavern4 ,if ,god call the latter1 who can drive him away8 ,if ,he expel the former1 who can bring him back8 ,the one cannot implore the divine help by reason of his good deeds1 nor is the door of repentance closed upon the other4 ,,story ,,of ,,the ,,darwesh ,,and ,,the ,,proud ,c,,di ,a poorly-clad doctor of law and divinity sat one day in the front row of seats in a ,cdi's court4 ,the ,cdi gave him a sharp look1 whereupon the usher took the man by the arm and said3 8,get up2 dost thou not know that the best place is not for such as thee8 ,either take a lower seat1 or remain standing1 or leave the court altogether4 ,be not so bold as to occupy the seat of the great4 ,if thou art humble1 pose not as a lion4 ,not every one is worthy of the chief seat2 honour is proportionate to rank1 and rank to merit40 ,he who sits with honour in a place lower than that of which he is worthy falls not with ignominy from eminence4 ,fuming with anger1 the doctor moved to a lower seat4 ,two advocates in the court then entered into a spirited discussion1 and flew at each other with their tongues like fighting-cocks with beak and claw4 ,they were involved in a complicated knot which neither could unravel4 ,from the last row of seats the tattered doctor roared out with the voice of a lion in the forest4 8,it is not the veins of the neck that should stand out in argument10 he said1 8but the proofs1 which should be full of meaning4 ,i1 too1 have the faculty of argument40 8,speak on10 they answered4 ,with the quill of eloquence that he possessed1 the doctor engraved his words upon the minds of his listeners like inscriptions on a signet-ring2 and1 drawing his pen through the letters of pretension1 he invoked applause from every corner4 ,so hard did he drive the steed of speech that the ,cdi lagged behind like an ass in the mire4 ,removing his cloak and turban1 the latter sent them to the doctor as a token of his respect4 8,alas60 he said1 8,i did not discern thy merit1 nor welcome thee on thy arrival4 ,i regret to see thee in this condition with such a stock of knowledge40 ,the usher then approached the stranger courteously in order that he might place the ,cdi's turban upon his head4 ,but the doctor repelled him with his hands and tongue1 saying3 8,place not upon my head the fetters of pride1 for to-morrow this fifty-yarded turban would turn my head from those in jaded garb4 ,those who called me #8lord' and #8chief' would then appear insignificant in mine eyes4 ,is pure water different whether it be contained in a goblet of gold or an earthen ewer8 ,a man's head requires brain and intellect1 not an imposing turban like thine4 ,a big head does not make one worthy2 it is like the gourd1 void of kernel4 ,be not proud because of thy turban and beard1 for the one is cotton and the other grass4 ,one should aim at the degree of eminence that is conformable with one's merit4 ,with all this intellect1 ,i will not call thee man1 though a hundred slaves walk behind thee4 ,how well spoke the shell when a greedy fool picked it out of the mire3 #8,none will buy me for the smallest price3 be not so insane as to wrap me up in silk4' ,a man is not better than his fellows by reason of his wealth1 for an ass1 though covered with a satin cloth1 is still an ass40 ,in this way the clever doctor washed the rancour from his heart with the water of words4 ,thus do those who are aggrieved speak harshly4 ,be not idle when thine enemy has fallen4 ,dash out his brains when thou art able1 for delay will efface the grudge from thy mind4 ,so overcome was the ,cdi by his vehemence that he exclaimed1 8,verily1 this day is a hard one40 ,he bit his fingers in amazement1 and his eyes stared at the doctor like the two stars near the pole of the lesser bear4 ,as for the latter1 he went abruptly out and was never seen there again4 ,they in the court clamoured to know whence such an impertinent fellow had come4 ,an official went in search of him1 and ran in all directions1 asking whether a man of that description had been seen4 ,some one said3 8,we know no one in this city so eloquent as ,sadi40 ,a hundred thousand praises to him who said so2 see how sweetly he uttered the bitter truth6 ,,story ,,of ,,the ,,honey-,,seller ,a man of smiling countenance sold honey1 captivating the hearts of all by his pleasant manner4 ,his customers were as numerous as flies around the sugar-cane--if he had sold poison people would have bought it for honey4 ,a forbidding-looking man regarded him with envy1 being jealous of the way his business prospered4 ,one day he paraded the town with a tray of honey on his head and a scowl on his face4 ,he wandered about crying his wares1 but no one evinced desire to buy4 ,at nightfall1 having earned no money1 he went and sat dejectedly in a corner1 with a face as bitter as that of a sinner fearful of retribution4 ,the wife of one of his neighbours jokingly remarked3 8,honey is bitter to one of sour temper40 ,it is wrong to eat bread at the table of one whose face is as wrinkled with frowns as the cloth on which it is served4 ,o sir6 add not to thine own burdens1 for an evil temper brings disaster in its train4 ,if thou hast not a sweet tongue like ,sadi1 thou hast neither gold nor silver4 ,,story ,,illustrating ,,the ,,forbearance ,,of ,,good ,,men ,i have heard that a debased drunkard caught a pious man by the collar4 ,the latter received his blows in silence1 and in forbearance lifted not his head4 ,a passer-by remarked3 8,art thou not a man8 ,it is a pity to be patient with this ignorant fellow40 ,the pious man replied3 8,speak not thus to me4 ,a foolish drunkard collars one by the neck in the thought that he is fighting with a lion2 there is no fear that a learned man will contend with an inebriated fool40 ,the virtuous follow this rule in life--when they suffer oppression they display kindness4 ,,story ,,illustrating ,,the ,,noble-,,mindedness ,,of ,,men ,a dog bit the leg of a hermit with such violence that venom dropped from its teeth1 and the poor man could not sleep all night through pain4 ,his little daughter chided him1 saying3 8,hast thou not teeth as well80 ,the unfortunate parent wept1 and then smilingly replied3 8,dear child6 ,although ,i was stronger than the dog1 ,i restrained my anger4 ,should ,i receive a sword-blow on the head1 ,i could not apply my teeth to the legs of a dog40 ,one can revenge oneself upon the mean1 but a man cannot act like a dog4 ,,story ,,of ,a ,,kind ,,master ,,and ,,his ,,disobedient ,,slave ,an eminent man1 famous for his many virtues1 possessed a slave of evil disposition1 who in ugliness of feature surpassed every one in the city4 ,he closely attended his master at meal-times1 but he would not have given a drop of water to a dying man4 ,neither reproof nor the rod influenced him2 the house was in a constant state of disorder through him4 ,sometimes1 in his bad temper1 would he litter the paths with thorns and rubbish2 at other times1 throw the chickens down the well4 ,his unhappy temperament was written on his face1 and never did he perform a task successfully4 ,some one asked his master3 8,what is there that thou likest in this slave--his agreeable manners1 or his skill1 or beauty8 ,surely1 it is not worth while to keep such an unruly knave and burden thyself with such an affliction4 ,i will procure for thee a slave of handsome appearance and good character4 ,take this one to the slave-market and sell him4 ,if a pice is offered for him1 do not refuse it1 for he would be dear at that40 ,the good-natured man smiled and said3 8,o friend6 ,although the character of my slave is certainly bad1 my character is improved by him1 for when ,i have learned to tolerate his manner ,i shall be able to put up with anything at the hands of others4 ,it were not humane to sell him and thus make known his faults4 ,and it is better to endure his affliction myself than to pass him on to others40 ,accept for thyself what thou wouldst accept for others4 ,if distressed thyself1 involve not thy fellows4 ,forbearance is at first like poison1 but when engrained in the nature it becomes like honey4 ,,story ,,of ,,mar,f ,,karchi#bb ,,and ,,the ,,sick ,,traveller ,no one follows the path of ,marf ,karchi who does not first banish the idea of fame from his head4 ,a traveller once came to ,marf's house at the point of death--his life was joined to his body by a single hair4 ,he passed the night in wailing and lamentation1 sleeping not himself nor permitting any one else to sleep by reason of his groans4 ,his mind was distressed and his temper was vile2 though he died not himself1 he killed many by his fretting4 ,such was his restlessness that every one flew from him4 ,marf ,karchi alone remained4 ,he1 like a brave man1 girt his loins and sat up many nights in attendance at the sick man's bedside4 ,but one night ,marf was attacked by sleep--how long can a sleepless man keep up8 ,as soon as the invalid saw him asleep he began to rave3 8,cursed be thy abominable race60 he cried3 8what knows this glutton1 intoxicated with sleep1 of the helpless man who has not closed his eyes80 ,marf took no notice of these words1 but one of the women of the harem1 overhearing them1 remarked3 8,didst thou not hear what that wailing beggar said8 ,turn him out1 and tell him to take his abuse with him and die elsewhere4 ,kindness and compassion have their occasions1 but to do good to the evil is evil2 only a fool plants trees in barren soil4 ,a grateful dog is better than an ungrateful man40 ,marf laughed3 8,dear woman10 he replied1 8be not offended at his ungracious words4 ,if he rave at me through sickness1 ,i am not angered4 ,when thou art strong and well thyself1 bear gratefully the burdens of the weak4 ,if thou cherish the tree of kindness1 thou wilt assuredly eat of the fruits of a good name40 ,they attain to dignity who rid themselves of arrogance4 ,he who worships grandeur is the slave of pride2 he knows not that greatness consists in meekness4 ,,story ,,illustrating ,,the ,,folly ,,of ,,the ,,ignoble ,an impudent fellow begged of a pious man1 but the latter had no money in his house4 ,otherwise1 would he have showered gold upon him like dust4 ,the infamous rascal1 therefore1 went out and began to abuse him in the street4 ,the eye of the fault-finder sees no merits4 ,what regard has he who has acted dishonourably for the honour of another8 ,being informed of his words1 the pious man smiled and said3 8,it is well2 this man has enumerated only a few of my bad qualities--only one out of a hundred that are known to me4 ,the evil that he has supposed in me ,i know for certain that ,i possess4 ,only one year has he been acquainted with me2 how can he know the faults of seventy years8 ,none but the ,omniscient knows my faults better than myself4 ,never have ,i known one who has attributed to me so few defects4 ,if he bear witness against me in the ,day of ,judgment1 ,i shall have no fear4 ,if he who thinks ill of me seek to reveal my faults1 tell him to come and take the record from me40 ,be humble when the veil is torn from off thy character4 ,if a pitcher were made of the dust of men1 the calumnious would shatter it with stones4 ,,story ,,of ,,one ,,who ,,had ,a ,,little ,,knowledge ,a certain man knew something of astronomy and his head1 in consequence1 was filled with pride4 ,journeying far1 he visited ,kshyr1#bc the sage1 who turned his eyes from him and would teach him nothing4 ,when the disappointed traveller was on the point of leaving1 ,kshyr addressed him with these words3 8,thou imaginest that thou art full of knowledge4 ,how can a vessel that is full receive of more8 ,rid thyself of thy pretensions1 so that thou mayest be filled4 ,being full of vanity1 thou goest empty40 ,,story ,,illustrating ,,the ,,humility ,,of ,,the ,,pious ,some one heard the barking of a dog in the ruined hut of a pious man4 ,reflecting upon the strangeness of the fact1 he went and searched1 but found no traces of a dog4 ,in truth1 the devotee alone was in the house4 ,not wishing his curiosity to be revealed1 the man was departing1 when the owner of the house cried out3 8,come in2 why standest thou upon the door8 ,knowest thou not1 ,o friend1 that ,i it was who barked8 ,when ,i discerned that humility was acceptable to ,god1 ,i banished pride and vanity from my heart1 and clamoured with barks at the door of ,god1 for ,i saw none more lowly than a dog40 ,if thou desire to attain to dignity1 let humility be thy path4 ,behold1 when the dew lies low upon the earth1 the sun doth raise it to the skies4 ,,story ,,illustrating ,,the ,,value ,,of ,,soft ,,words ,the slave of a king escaped1 and1 though a search was made1 was not discovered4 ,later1 when the fugitive returned1 the king1 in anger1 ordered that he should be put to death4 ,when the executioner brought out his scimitar1 like the tongue of a thirsty man1 the despondent slave cried out3 8,o ,god6 ,i forgive the king the shedding of my blood1 for ,i have ever enjoyed his bounty and shared in his prosperity4 ,let him not suffer for this deed on the ,day of ,judgment1 to the delight of his enemies40 ,when the king heard these words his anger was appeased1 and he appointed the slave to be an officer of the standard4 ,the moral of this story is that soft speech acts like water on the fires of wrath4 ,do not the soldiers on the battle-field wear armour consisting of a hundred folds of silk8 ,o friend6 be humble when thou dealest with a fierce foe1 for gentleness will blunt the sharpest sword4 ,,story ,,illustrating ,,the ,,wisdom ,,of ,,feigning ,,deafness ,many writers affirm the falsity of the idea that ,htim was deaf4 ,one morning his attention was attracted by the buzzing of a fly1 which had become ensnared in a spider's web4 8,o thou10 he observed1 8who art fettered by thine own avarice1 be patient4 ,wherever there be a tempting bait1 huntsman and snare are close at hand40 ,one of his disciples remarked3 8,strange it is that thou couldst hear the buzzing of a fly that hardly reached our ears4 ,no longer can they call thee deaf40 ,the ,sheikh replied3 8,deafness is better than the hearing of idle words4 ,those that sit with me in private are prone to conceal my faults and parade my virtues2 thus1 do they make me vain4 ,i feign deafness that ,i may be spared their flattery4 ,when my assumed affliction has become known to them they will speak freely of that which is good and bad in me2 then1 being grieved at the recital of my faults1 ,i shall abstain from evil40 ,go not down a well by a rope of praise4 ,be deaf1 like ,htim1 and listen to the words of them that slander thee4 ,,story ,,illustrating ,,forbearance ,,for ,,the ,,sake ,,of ,,friends ,a certain man1 whose heart was as pure as ,sadi's1 fell in love4 ,although taunted by his enemies in consequence1 he showed no anger4 ,some one asked him3 8,hast thou no sense of shame8 ,art thou not sensible to these indignities8 ,it is abject to expose oneself to ridicule1 and weak to endure patiently the scoffs of enemies4 ,to overlook the errors of the ignorant is wrong1 lest it be said that thou hast neither strength nor courage40 ,how elegantly did the distracted lover make reply6 ,his words are worthy to be writ in letters of gold3 8,alone in my heart there dwelleth affection for my loved one2 thus1 it contains no room for malice40 ,,story ,,of ,,luqman1#bd ,,the ,,sage ,i have heard that ,luqman was of dark complexion and careless of his appearance4 ,some one mistook for him a slave1 and employed him in digging trenches at ,baghdad4 ,thus he continued for a year1 no one suspecting who he was4 ,when the truth was known the master was afeared1 and fell at ,luqman's feet1 offering excuses4 ,the sage smiled and said3 8,of what use are these apologies8 ,for a year my heart has bled through thine oppression4 ,how can ,i forget that in one hour8 ,but ,i forgive thee1 good man1 for thy gain has caused to me no loss4 ,thou hast built thy house2 my wisdom and knowledge have increased4 ,i1 too1 possess a slave1 and frequently set him to arduous labour4 ,nevermore1 when ,i remember the hardships of my toil1 will ,i afflict him40 ,he who has not suffered at the hands of the strong grieves not at the frailness of the weak4 ,if thou be sorrowed by those above thee1 be not harsh with thine inferiors4 ,,chapter ,v ,,concerning ,,resignation ,happiness comes from the favour of ,god1 not from the might of the powerful4 ,if the heavens bestow not fortune1 by no valour can it be obtained4 ,the ant suffers not by reason of its weakness2 the tiger eats not by virtue of its strength4 ,since the hand reaches not to the skies1 accept as inevitable the fortune that it brings4 ,if thy life is destined to be long1 no snake nor sword will harm thee2 when the fated day of death arrives1 the antidote will kill thee no less than the poison4 ,,story ,,of ,a ,,soldier ,,of ,,isfahan ,in ,isfahan ,i had a friend who was warlike1 spirited1 and shrewd4 ,his hands and dagger were for ever stained with blood4 ,the hearts of his enemies were consumed by fear of him2 even the tigers stood in awe of him4 ,in battle he was like a sparrow among locusts2 in combat1 sparrows and men were alike to him4 ,had he made an attack upon ,faridun1 he would not have given the latter time to draw his sword4 ,neither in bravery nor magnanimity had he an equal4 ,this warrior formed a liking for my company2 but as ,i was not destined to remain in ,isfahan1 ,fate transferred me from ,iraq to ,syria1 in which holy land my staying was agreeable4 ,after some time the desire for my home attracted me1 so ,i returned to ,iraq4 ,one night1 the memory of the sepoy passed through my mind2 the salt of his friendship opened the wounds of my gratitude1 for ,i had eaten salt from his hand4 ,to meet him1 ,i went to ,isfahan1 and inquired as to where he lived4 ,i chanced upon him4 ,he who had been a youth had become old2 his form1 once erect as an arrow1 had become as a bow4 ,like a hoary mountain1 his head was covered with snowy hair2 ,time had conquered him and twisted the wrist of his bravery4 ,the pride of his strength had gone2 the head of weakness was upon his knees4 8,o tiger-seizer60 ,i exclaimed1 8what has made thee decrepit like an old fox80 ,he laughed and said3 8,since the day of the battle of ,tartary1 ,i have expelled the thoughts of fighting from my head4 ,then did ,i see the earth arrayed with spears like a forest of reeds4 ,i raised like smoke the dust of conflict2 but when ,fortune does not favour1 of what avail is fury8 ,i am one who1 in combat1 could take with a spear a ring from the palm of the hand2 but1 as my star did not befriend me1 they encircled me as with a ring4 ,i seized the opportunity of flight1 for only a fool strives with ,fate4 ,how could my helmet and cuirass aid me when my bright star favoured me not8 ,when the key of victory is not in the hand1 no one can break open the door of conquest with his arms4 8,the enemy were a pack of leopards1 and as strong as elephants4 ,the heads of the heroes were encased in iron1 as were also the hoofs of the horses4 ,we urged on our ,arab steeds like a cloud1 and when the two armies encountered each other thou wouldst have said they had struck the sky down to the earth4 ,from the raining of arrows1 that descended like hail1 the storm of death arose in every corner4 ,not one of our troops came out of the battle but his cuirass was soaked with blood4 ,not that our swords were blunt--it was the vengeance of stars of ill fortune4 ,overpowered1 we surrendered1 like a fish which1 though protected by scales1 is caught by the hook in the bait4 ,since ,fortune averted her face1 useless was our shield against the arrows of ,fate40 ,,story ,,of ,,the ,,doctor ,,and ,,the ,,villager ,one night a villager could not sleep owing to a pain in his side4 ,a doctor said3 8,this pain is caused by his having eaten the leaves of the vine4 ,i shall be astonished if he lasts through the night1 for the arrows of a ,tartar in his breast were better for him than the eating of such indigestible food40 ,that night the doctor died2 forty years have since passed1 and the villager yet lives4 ,,story ,,of ,,the ,,villager ,,and ,,his ,,ass ,the ass of a villager died1 so he set the head upon a vine in his garden in order that it might ward off the ,evil ,eye4 ,a sage old man passed by and laughingly remarked3 8,dost think1 ,o friend1 this will effect thy purpose8 ,in life1 the ass could not protect itself from blows2 so1 in weakness1 did it die40 ,what knows the physician of the condition of the sick1 when1 helpless1 he himself will die through illness8 ,,story ,,illustrating ,,luck ,a poor man dropped a dinar in the road4 ,he searched much1 but at last1 despairing1 abandoned the attempt4 ,some one came along and found the coin by chance4 ,good and ill fortune are predestined4 ,our daily portion depends not upon our strength and efforts1 for those who are strongest and strive the most stand often in the direst need4 ,,story ,,of ,,one ,,who ,,blamed ,,his ,,destiny ,there was once a rich and prosperous man named ,bakhtyr4 ,the wife of one of his neighbours1 who was in the other extreme of poverty1 upbraided her husband one night when he went to her empty-handed1 saying3 8,no one is so poor and unfortunate as thee4 ,take a lesson from thy neighbours1 who are well-to-do4 ,why art thou not fortunate1 like them80 ,the man replied3 8,i am incapable of aught2 quarrel not with ,fate4 ,i have not been endowed with the power to make myself a ,bakhtyr40#be ,,story ,,of ,a ,,darwesh ,,and ,,his ,,wife ,a darwesh remarked to his wife1 who was of ill-favoured countenance3 8,since ,fate has made thee ugly1 do not encrust thy face with cosmetic40 ,who can attain good fortune by force8 ,who1 with collyrium1 can make the blind to see8 ,not one among the philosophers of ,greece or ,rome could produce honey from the thorn4 ,wild beasts cannot become men2 education is wasted upon them4 ,a mirror can be freed from stain1 but it cannot be made from a stone4 ,roses do not blossom on the branches of the willow2 hot baths never yet made an ,ethiop white4 ,since one cannot escape the arrows of ,fate1 resignation is the only shield4 ,,story ,,of ,a ,,vulture ,,and ,a ,,kite ,a vulture said to a kite3 8,no one can see so far as ,i40 8,possibly10 replied the kite2 8but what canst thou see across the desert80 ,gazing down1 the vulture exclaimed3 8,yonder do ,i see a grain of wheat40 ,thereupon1 they flew to the ground4 ,when the vulture settled upon the wheat he became caught in a trap4 ,he had not known that1 through his eating the grain1 ,fate would ensnare him by the neck4 ,not every oyster contains a pearl2 not every archer hits the target4 8,of what use10 the kite inquired1 8was it to see the grain when thou couldst not discern the trap of thine enemy80 8,caution10 said the captive vulture1 8availeth not with ,destiny40 ,when the decrees of past eternity are brought to action1 the keenest eyes are rendered blind by ,fate4 ,in the ocean1 where no shore-line appears1 the swimmer strives in vain4 ,,story ,,of ,a ,,camel ,a young camel said to its mother3 8,after thou hast made a journey1 rest awhile40 8,if the bridle were in my hands10 was the reply1 8no one would ever see me in the string of camels with a load upon my back40 ,fate is the helmsman of the ship of life1 no matter though the owner rend his clothes4 ,o ,sadi6 look not for aid from any man4 ,god is the giver1 and ,he alone4 ,if thou worship ,him1 the door of ,his mercy sufficeth thee2 if ,he drive thee away1 no one will ease thee4 ,if ,he make thee to wear a crown1 raise thy head2 if not1 bow thy head in despair4 ,,discourse ,,concerning ,,hypocrisy ,who knows that thou art not pledged to ,god even though thou standest in prayer without ablution8 ,that prayer is the key to hell which thou performest only before the eyes of men4 ,if the high-road of thy life lead to aught but ,god1 thy prayer-mat will be thrown into the fire4 ,he whose heart is good and makes no outward show of piety is better than one of outward sanctity whose heart is false4 ,a night-prowling robber is better than a sinner in the tunic of a saint4 ,expect not wages from ,omar1 ,o son1 when thou workest in the house of ,zaid4 ,if in private ,i am bad and mean1 of what avail is it to pose before the world with honour8 ,how much will the bag of hypocrisy weigh in the ,scales of ,justice8 ,the outside of the hypocrite's coat is neater than the lining1 for the one is seen and the other is hidden4 ,,chapter ,,vi ,,concerning ,,contentment ,he knows not ,god nor performs ,his worship who is not contented with his lot4 ,contentment maketh a man rich--tell this to the avaricious4 ,o irresolute one6 be tranquil1 for grass grows not upon revolving stones4 ,pamper not thy body if thou be a man of sense1 for in so doing dost thou seek thine own destruction4 ,the wise acquire virtue1 and they that pamper their bodies are devoid of merit4 ,eating and sleeping is the creed of animals2 to adopt it is the manner of fools4 ,happy is that fortunate man who1 in meditation1 prepares for the last journey by means of the knowledge of ,god4 ,to him who knows not the darkness from the light the face of a demon is as that of a ,houri4#bf ,how can the falcon fly to the sky when the stone of avarice is tied to its wing8 ,if thou pay less attention to thy food than to worship thou mayest become an angel4 ,first cultivate the qualities of a man1 then reflect upon the character of angels4 ,eat in proportion to thy hunger2 how can he give praises who scarce can breathe by reason of his gluttony8 ,he whose stomach is full is void of wisdom4 ,the prey is entrapped in the snare because of its greed4 ,,story ,,of ,,the ,,king ,,of ,,khwarazm#bg ,a covetous man paid an early morning visit to the king of ,khwarazm1 and twice prostrated himself to the ground before him4 8,tell me1 ,o father10 his son inquired1 8didst thou not say that ,mecca was thy place of worship8 ,why didst thou to-day repeat thy prayers before the king80 ,contentment exalteth the head2 that which is full of avarice comes no higher than the shoulder4 ,he who has wrapped up the volume of his avarice needs not to write to any one1 8,i am thy slave and servant40 ,by begging wilt thou be driven from every assembly2 drive it from thyself1 so that no one may drive thee away4 ,,concerning ,,the ,,evils ,,of ,,over-,,eating ,some said to a pious man who was stricken with fever3 8,ask for some conserve of roses from such a one40 8,oh1 friend10 he replied1 8it were better to die in bitterness than to endure the affliction of his sour face40 ,a wise man does not eat conserve of roses from the hand of one whose face has been soured by pride4 ,pursue not that which thy heart desires1 for the pampering of the body destroys the fires of life4 ,the gluttonous man bears the weight of his corpulence2 if he obtain not food1 he bears the weight of grief4 ,it is better that the stomach should be empty than the mind4 ,,story ,,of ,a ,,glutton ,in company with some religious mendicants ,i entered a date-grove in ,busra4 ,one of the party was a glutton4 ,he1 having girt his loins1 climbed up a tree1 and1 falling headlong1 died4 ,the headsman of the village asked1 8,who killed this man80 8,go softly1 friend10 ,i answered2 8he fell from a branch--'twas the weight of his stomach40 ,,story ,,of ,a ,,recluse ,the ,amir of ,tartary presented a silken robe to an elderly recluse1 who1 putting it on1 kissed the hand of the messenger1 and said3 8,a thousand praises to the king6 ,excellent is this splendid robe1 but ,i prefer my own patched habit40 ,if thou hast relinquished the world1 sleep upon the bare ground--kiss it not before any one for the sake of a costly carpet4 ,,story ,,illustrating ,,the ,,evils ,,of ,,avarice ,to a poor man who had naught to eat but bread and onions1 a foolish man remarked3 8,go1 wretched man1 and bring some cooked meat from the public feast4 ,ask boldly and be not afraid of any one1 for he who is modest must go without his share40 ,acting on this advice1 the beggar put on his cloak and started off4 ,the servants of the feast tore off his clothes and broke his arm4 ,weeping1 he cried3 8,oh my soul6 ,what remedy is there for one's own actions8 ,one seized by avarice becomes the seeker of his own misfortunes4 ,after this1 the bread and onions are good enough for me40 ,a barley loaf procured by the exertions of one's own arm is better than a loaf of flour from the table of the liberal4 ,,story ,,of ,,an ,,ambitious ,,cat ,a cat who lived in the house of an old woman of humble circumstances wandered to the palace of a noble1 whose slaves repulsed the animal with arrows4 ,bleeding from many wounds1 the cat ran off in terror1 thus reflecting3 8,since ,i have escaped from the hands of those slaves1 the mice in the ruined hut of the old woman are good enough for me40 ,honey is not worth the price of a sting2 better it is to be content with the syrup of dates than expose oneself to that4 ,god is not pleased with him who is not contented with his lot4 ,,story ,,of ,a ,,short-,,sighted ,,man ,,and ,,his ,,high-,,minded ,,wife ,a certain child having cut its teeth1 the father bent his head in anxious thought and said3 8,how can ,i obtain the bread and food of which the child will now have need80 8,be not alarmed10 his wife replied1 8for1 until our child shall die1 ,he who gave him teeth will send him bread4 ,a rich man provides for his slave2 why should not ,he who created the slave do likewise8 ,thou hast not the trust in ,god that the purchased slave reposes in his master40 ,i have heard that in olden times stones became silver in the hands of saints4 ,think not that this is contrary to reason--when thou hast become contented1 silver and stones will be as one to thee4 ,say to the devotee who worships kings that a king is poorer than a darwesh4 ,a dinar satisfies a beggar2 ,faridun was but half content with the whole of the kingdom of ,persia4 ,a beggar free from care is better off than a troubled king4 ,the villager and his wife sleep more happily than the king ever did in his palace4 ,though one be a king and the other a cotton-carder1 when they sleep in death the night of both becomes day4 ,when thou seest a rich man filled with pride1 go and give thanks1 ,o thou who art poor1 that thou1 praise be to ,god6 hast not the power to inflict injury upon any one4 ,,story ,,of ,a ,,holy ,,man ,,who ,,built ,a ,,house ,a holy man built a house as high as his own stature4 ,some one said to him3 8,i know thee able to erect a better house than this40 8,enough10 he cried1 8what need have ,i of a lofty roof8 ,this that ,i have built is high enough for a dwelling which ,i must leave at death40 ,set not thy house in the path of a flood1#bh ,o slave1 for never will it be perfected4 ,,story ,,of ,a ,,sheikh ,,who ,,became ,,king ,a certain king died1 and1 having no heir1 bequeathed the throne to a venerable sheikh4 ,when the recluse heard the roar of the drums of empire1 he desired no longer the corner of seclusion4 ,he led the army to left and right1 and became so strong and valiant that he filled the hearts of the brave with fear4 ,after he had slain a number of his enemies1 some others combined together against him and reduced him to such straits in his fortified town that he sent a message to a pious man1 saying3 8,aid me with thy prayers1 for the sword and arrow do not avail40 ,the devotee laughed and said3 8,why did he not content himself with half a loaf and his vigils8 ,did not the wealth-worshipping ,korah#bi know that the treasure of safety lies in the corner of retirement80 ,,discourse ,,concerning ,,riches ,the generous man may attain to perfection although he possess not gold4 ,dost think that if a mean man became a ,korah his sordid nature would be changed8 ,if he who trades in liberality obtain not bread1 his nature remains yet rich4 ,generosity is the soil1 and riches the seed that is sown2 give1 that the root may not be destitute of a branch4 ,exert not thyself in the amassing of wealth1 for evil is the smell of stagnant water2 strive1 rather1 to be generous1 for running water becomes a flood4 ,the miser who falls from position and wealth but seldom stands a second time upon his feet4 ,if thou be a precious jewel1#cj grieve not1 for ,time will not pass thee by2 it is the brickbat by the wayside that goes unheeded4 ,shavings of gold that fall from the scissors are searched for with a candle4 ,,chapter ,,vii ,,concerning ,,education ,those who turn the reins of their desires from unlawful things have surpassed ,rustam#ca and ,sm#cb in valour4 ,none is so fearful of the enemy as thou1 slave of thine own passions4 ,thy earthly body is a city1 containing both good and evil2 thou art the ,king1 and ,reason is thy wise minister4 ,in this city1 the headstrong men pursue their trades of avarice and greed2 ,resignation and ,temperance are the citizens of fame and virtue2 ,lust and ,wantonness the thieves and pick-pockets4 ,when the king shows favour to the wicked1 how can the wise remain in peace8 ,the passions of evil1 envy1 and hatred are inherent in thee as is the blood of thy veins4 ,if these thine enemies gained in strength they would turn their heads from thy rule and counsel2 no resistance do they offer when they see the mailed fist of ,reason4 ,night-thieves and vagabonds wander not in the places where the patrols guard4 ,the chief who punishes not his enemy is bereft of power by the strength of the latter4 ,more on this point ,i will not speak--a word suffices to him who puts into practice what he reads4 ,,discourse ,,concerning ,,the ,,excellence ,,of ,,taciturnity ,be silent1 ,o thou who knowest many things6 for he that speaketh little will be free from reproach on the ,day of ,judgment4 ,the man of many words is deaf2 no counsel does he heed like silence4 ,when thou desirest continually to speak thou findest no sweetness in the speech of others4 ,those who reflect upon right and wrong are better than triflers with ready answers4 ,he that speaks little thou dost never see ashamed2 a grain of musk is better than a heap of mud4 ,beware of the fool whose volume of words is as that of ten men--a hundred arrows shot and each one wide of the target4 ,if thou art wise1 shoot one1 and that one straight4 ,utter not slander before a wall--oft may it happen that behind are listening ears4 ,enclose thy secrets within the city walls of thy mind1 and beware that none may find the gates of thy city open4 ,a wise man sews up his mouth3 the candle is burned by means of its wick4 ,,story ,,concerning ,,the ,,keeping ,,of ,,secrets ,takash1 king of ,persia1 imparted a secret to his slaves1 adding1 8,tell it not to any one40 ,for a year they kept the secret in their hearts2 in one day it became diffused throughout the world4 ,the king ordered the slaves to be executed4 ,one among them begged for mercy1 saying3 8,kill not thy slaves1 for the fault was thine4 ,thou didst not dam up that secret when it was a spring3 why seek to arrest its course now that it has become a flood80 ,entrust jewels to treasurers1 but be the keeper of thine own secrets4 ,thou hast the power until the word be spoken2 then1 does it gain mastery over thee4 ,speech is a demon confined in the well of the mind3 leave it not free on thy palate and tongue4 ,when the genii has escaped from the cage1 no stratagem will bring him back4 ,,story ,,illustrating ,,the ,,fact ,,that ,,silence ,,is ,,best ,,for ,,fools ,there was once in ,egypt a religious mendicant who never opened his mouth in speech4 ,wise men assembled around him from far and near1 like moths around a candle4 ,one night1 he reflected3 8,merit is concealed beneath a silent tongue4 ,if ,i remain thus silent1 how will men know that ,i am learned80 ,therefore he indulged in speech1 and his friends and enemies alike found him to be the most ignorant man in ,egypt4 ,his followers dispersed and his glory vanished4 ,so he went on a journey and wrote on the wall of a mosque3 8,had ,i but seen myself in the mirror of understanding ,i should not imprudently have torn the veil from off my mind4 ,although deformed1 ,i exposed my figure in the thought that ,i was handsome40 ,a little-talker has a high reputation4 ,silence is dignity1 and the concealer of blemishes4 ,express not in haste the thoughts of thy mind1 for thou canst reveal them when thou wilt4 ,the beasts are silent1 and men are endowed with speech--idle talkers are worse than the beasts4 ,,story ,,illustrating ,,the ,,folly ,,of ,,impertinence ,in the course of a dispute some one uttered improper words and was1 in consequence1 seized and nearly throttled4 8,o thou conceited fellow60 said an experienced man1 8if thy mouth had been closed like a bud1 thou wouldst not have seen thy skirt torn like a flower40 ,dost thou not see that fire is nothing but a flame1 which at any moment can be quenched with water8 ,if a man possess merit1 the merit speaks for itself1 not the owner of the merit4 ,if thou hast not the purest musk1 claim not to possess it2 if thou hast1 it makes itself known by its perfume4 ,,discourse ,,on ,,slander ,speak no evil concerning the good or the wicked1 for thus thou wrongest the former and makest an enemy of the latter4 ,know that he who defames another revealeth his own faults4 ,if thou speak evil of any one1 thou art sinful1 even though what thou sayest be true4 ,,story ,,concerning ,,the ,,same ,,subject ,to one who stretched his tongue in slander1 a wise man said3 8,speak not evil of any one before me1 so that ,i may not think ill of thee4 ,although his dignity is lowered1 thine own honour is not increased thereby40 ,,why ,,thieving ,,is ,,better ,,than ,,slandering ,some one said3 8,thieving is better than back-biting40 ,i replied3 8,that is strange to me4 ,what good seest thou in thieving that thou givest it preference to slander80 8,thieves10 he explained1 8live by virtue of their strength and daring4 ,the slanderer sins and reaps nothing40 ,,sadi ,,and ,,his ,,envious ,,class-,,friend ,a fellow-student at ,nezamiah displayed malevolence towards me1 and ,i informed my tutor1 saying3 8,whenever ,i give more proper answers than he the envious fellow becomes offended40 ,the professor replied3 8,the envy of thy friend is not agreeable to thee1 but ,i know not who told thee that back-biting was commendable4 ,if he seek perdition through the path of envy1 thou wilt join him by the path of slander40 ,,story ,,of ,,sadi',s ,,childhood ,when a child1 unable to distinguish between right and wrong1 ,i once resolved to fast1 and a certain devout man thus taught me to perform my ablutions and devotions3 8,first10 he said1 8repeat the name of ,god1 according to the law of the ,prophet2 secondly1 make a vow2 and thirdly1 wash the palms of the hands4 ,then wash thy nose and mouth three times and rub thy front teeth with thy forefinger1 for a tooth-brush is forbidden when fasting4 ,after that1 throw three handfuls of water upon thy face2 then wash thy hands and arms up to the elbows and repeat thy prayers by the telling of beads and the recital of the attributes and praises of ,god4 ,lastly1 wipe again thy head and wash thy feet--thus end in the name of ,god40 8,no one10 added the old man1 8knows the form of ablution better than myself4 ,dost thou not see that the elder of the village has become decrepit80 ,hearing these words1 the elder cried3 8,o impious wretch6 ,didst thou not say that the use of a tooth-brush was unlawful in fasting8--,i suppose1 then1 that slander is lawful8 ,before thou settest about a fast1 wash first thy mouth of improper words40 ,,story ,,of ,a ,,sufi',s ,,rebuke ,some ,sufis were sitting together in private1 when one of them opened his mouth in slander4 8,didst thou ever make a crusade in ,europe80 he was asked4 8,beyond the four walls of my house10 he replied1 8,i have never placed my feet40 8,never have ,i met so unfortunate a man10 observed the questioner4 8,the infidel remains safe from his enmity1 yet a ,mussulman escapes not the violence of his tongue40 ,,concerning ,,absent ,,friends ,in relation to an absent friend1 two things are unlawful4 ,the first is to squander his possessions2 the second1 to speak evil of his name4 ,look not for good words from him who mentions the names of men with scorn1 for behind thy back he says those things which he said to thee of others4 ,he only is wise who concerns himself with his own affairs and is indifferent to the world4 ,,where ,,slander ,,is ,,lawful ,three persons only is it permissible to slander4 ,the first is a tyrannical king who oppresses his subjects2 it is lawful to speak of his misdeeds so that people may beware of him4 ,the second is he who is shameless2 deem it not a sin to speak ill of such a one1 for by his own actions are his faults revealed4 ,the third is he that gives false weight and is a cheat2 say what thou knowest of his evil ways4 ,,tale-,,bearers ,,worse ,,than ,,back-,,biters ,some one said to a pious man1 8,knowest thou what such a one said concerning thee80 8,silence60 he replied2 8it is best not to know what an enemy said4 ,those who carry the words of an enemy are assuredly worse than the enemy himself4 ,only they convey the speech of an enemy to a friend who are in agreement with the enemy4 ,thou art worse than an enemy1 for thou revealest what he said in private40 ,a tale-bearer makes an old strife new2 fly as far as thou art able from one who stirs up a dormant quarrel4 ,to be tied by the feet in a gloomy pit is better than to carry mischief from place to place4 ,a quarrel is like a fire which the tale-bearer feeds with fuel4 ,,faridun#cc ,,and ,,his ,,wise ,,vazier ,faridun had a vazier who was discerning and of enlightened mind4 ,some one went to the king one day and said3 8,the vazier is thy secret enemy4 ,there is not a person in the kingdom to whom he has not lent out gold and silver on the condition that at thy death the loans shall be repaid40 ,regarding the vazier with threatening mien1 the king exclaimed3 8,thou appearest before me in the guise of a friend2 why art thou my enemy at heart80 ,the vazier kissed the ground as he replied3 8,i desire1 ,o renowned king1 that all the people should be thy well-wishers4 ,since at thy death they must repay me1 they will pray for thy long life from fear of me40 ,approving of this explanation1 the king increased the dignities of the vazier1 while no one was more ill-fated and changed in fortune than the tale-bearer4 ,it is not compatible with reason to kindle between two men the fire of strife and burn oneself in the flames4 ,,discourse ,,concerning ,,wives ,that poor man is a king whose wife is obedient and chaste4 ,grieve not over the troubles of the day when at night the dispeller of thy sorrows is by thy side4 ,he has obtained his heart's desire whose beloved is of the same mind as himself4 ,if a woman be pure and of kindly speech1 regard neither her beauty nor her homeliness4 ,a woman of good nature is more to be desired than one of beauty1 for amiability conceals a multitude of flaws4 ,beware the ill-tempered fairy4 ,may heaven grant protection from a bad woman6 ,prison is preferable to a house full of frowns2 travelling is a joy to him whose house contains a woman of ugly mind4 ,close the door of happiness upon that house whence the woman's voice comes louder than her husband's4 ,if thy wife take the road to the bazar1 beat her1 or sit thyself like a woman in thy house4 ,let her eyes be blind in the presence of strangers2 when she goeth from thy house1 let it be to the grave4 ,take a new wife each ,spring1 ,o friend1 for last year's almanac serves no purpose4 ,to walk bare-footed is better than to wear tight shoes2 the hardships of a journey are better than discord at home4 ,,discourse ,,on ,,the ,,training ,,of ,,sons ,if thou desire that thy name should remain1 train thy son in knowledge and wisdom1 for if he possess not these thou diest obscure1 with no one to commemorate thy name4 ,teach him a handicraft1 though thou be as rich as ,korah4 ,place no hope in the power that thou hast--riches may go from thee4 ,a bag of silver and gold is emptied2 the purse of an artisan remains filled4 ,dost thou not know how ,sadi attained to rank8 ,he journeyed not over the plains1 nor crossed the seas4 ,in his youth he served under the yoke of the learned3 ,god granted him distinction in after-life4 ,and it is not long before he who serves obtains command4 ,a boy who suffers not at the hands of his teacher suffers at the hands of ,time4 ,make thy son good and independent1 so that he may not be beholden to any man4 ,protect him from evil associates2 and pity him not if he bring ruin and destruction upon himself1 for it is better that a vicious son should die before his father4 ,,sadi ,,rebuked ,,for ,,his ,,fault-,,finding ,there was a certain young preacher who was learned and intelligent1 a man of sanctity and a true worshipper4 ,he was forcible in eloquence and correct in grammar1 but his articulation was so faulty that he could not properly repeat the letters of the alphabet4 ,i said to a holy man3 8,the youth has not got his front teeth60 8,speak not thus10 he replied4 8,thou hast discerned his fault1 but thine eyes are closed to his many virtues4 ,thorns and roses grow together2 why regardest thou only the thorns8 ,he who is of bad nature sees nothing in the peacock but its ugly feet40 ,expose not the faults of others1 for thereby art thou forgetful of thine own failings4 ,whether ,i be good or evil1 keep thou silent1 for ,i am the bearer of my own profit and loss1 and ,god is better acquainted with my character than thou4 ,i seek no reward from thee for my virtues so that ,i may not be afflicted by thee by reason of my sins4 ,for every good act ,god will bestow1 not one1 but ten rewards4 ,if thou see one virtue in a man1 do thou pass over the ten faults that he hath4 ,are not all things created the product of the art of ,god8--black they are and white1 handsome and deformed4 ,not every eye and eyebrow that thou seest is good3 eat the kernel of the nut and throw the husk away4 ,,chapter ,,viii ,,concerning ,,gratitude ,i cannot give thanks to that ,friend1 for ,i know of none that are worthy4 ,every hair of my body is a gift from ,him2 how could ,i thank ,him for every hair8 ,praise be to the munificent ,lord1 ,who from non-existence brought ,his creatures into being4 ,who can describe ,his goodness8 ,all praises are encompassed by ,his glory4 ,see how from childhood to old age he has endowed thee with a splendid robe6 ,he made thee pure2 therefore1 be pure--unworthy it is to die impured by sin4 ,let not the dust remain upon the mirror1 for once grown dull it never again will polish4 ,when thou dost seek to gain the means of life1 rely not upon the strength of thine own arms4 ,o self-worshipper6 why lookest thou not to ,god1 ,who giveth power to thy hand8 ,if by thy striving thou doest aught of good1 take not the credit to thyself2 know it to be by the grace of ,god4 ,thou standest not by thine own strength--from the ,invisible art thou sustained each moment4 ,a ,,mother',s ,,warning ,,to ,,her ,,son ,sorrowed at the conduct of her son1 who gave no ear to her advice1 a woman brought to him the cradle in which once he slept1 and said3 8,o weak in love and forgetful of the past6 ,wast thou not a weeping and helpless child1 for whom through many nights ,i sacrificed my sleep8 ,thou hadst not then the strength thou hast to-day2 thou couldst not ward the flies from off thy body4 ,a tiny insect gave thee pain2 to-day thou excellest amidst the strong4 ,in the grave wilt thou again be thus1 unable to repel the onslaughts of an ant4 ,how1 when the grave-worms eat the marrow of thy brain1 wilt thou relight the ,lamp of ,intellect8 ,thou art as a blind man who seeth not the way1 and knoweth not that a well lies in his path4 ,if thou be grateful for thy sight1 'tis well2 if not1 then surely art thou blind4 ,thy tutor gave thee not the power of wisdom2 by ,god was it implanted in thy nature4 ,had ,he withheld this gift from thee1 truth would have appeared to thee as falsehood40 ,,discourse ,,concerning ,,the ,,art ,,of ,,the ,,most ,,high ,,god ,for thee is set the bright moon in the sky by night1 the world-illuminating sun by day4 ,like a chamberlain1 the heavens spread for thee the carpet of the ,spring4 ,the wind and snow1 the clouds and rain1 the roaring thunder and the lightning glittering as a sword--all are ,his agents1 obedient to ,his word1 nourishing the seed that thou hast planted in the soil4 ,if thou be athirst1 fret not2 the clouds bear water upon their shoulders4 ,from the bee ,he giveth thee honey1 and manna from the wind2 fresh dates from the date-tree and the date-tree from a seed4 ,for thee are the sun and moon and the ,pleiades2 they are as lanterns upon the roof of thy house4 ,he bringeth roses from the thorn and musk from a pod2 gold from the mine and green leaves from a withered stick4 ,with ,his own hands did ,he paint thine eye and eyebrows--one cannot leave one's bosom friends to strangers4 ,omnipotent is ,he1 nourishing the delicate with ,his many bounties4 ,render thanks each moment from thy heart1 for gratitude is not the work of the tongue alone4 ,o ,god1 my heart is blood1 mine eyes are sore when ,i behold ,thy indescribable gifts4 ,,discourse ,,concerning ,,the ,,condition ,,of ,,the ,,weak ,he knows not the value of a day of pleasure who has not seen adversity4 ,hard is the winter for the beggar--the rich man heeds it not4 ,if thou art swift of foot1 be thankful when thou lookest upon the lame4 ,what know they of the value of water who dwell upon the banks of the ,jayhun8 ,ask it of them who are parched in the heat of the sun4 ,what cares the ,arab by the ,tigris for the thirsty ones of the desert8 ,he knows the value of health who lost his strength in fever4 ,how can the night be long to thee reclining in ease upon thy bed8 ,think of him who is racked with fever--the sick man knows the tediousness of the night4 ,at the sound of the drum the master awakens--what knows he how the watchman passed the night8 ,,story ,,of ,,tughral1 ,,king ,,of ,,shir,z1 ,,and ,,the ,,hindu ,,watchman ,one night in winter ,tughral passed by a ,hindu sentinel1 who was shivering like the star ,canopus in the icy rain4 ,moved to pity1 he said3 8,thou shalt have my fur coat4 ,wait by the terrace and ,i will send it by the hand of a slave40 ,on entering his palace he was met by a beautiful slave1 at the sight of whom the poor sentinel passed from his mind4 ,the fur coat slipped through the latter's ears2 through his ill-luck it never reached his shoulders4 ,the king slept through the night devoid of care2 but what said the chief watchman to him in the morning8-- 8,perhaps thou didst forget that #8lucky man' when thy hand was upon the bosom of thy slave4 ,by thee the night was spent in tranquillity and joy2 what knowest thou how the night has gone with us80 ,they with the caravan bend their heads over the cauldron2 what care they for them that toil on foot through the desert sand8 ,tarry1 ,o active youths1 for old and feeble men are with the caravan4 ,well hast thou slept in the litter while the driver held the nose-string of the camel4 ,what of the desert and mountains8 what of the stones and the sand8 ,ask how it fares with them that lag behind4 ,,story ,,of ,a ,,thief ,a thief was arrested by a night-watchman and bound by the hands4 ,thus1 crestfallen and afflicted1 he remained4 ,during the night he heard some one cry out in want4 8,how long wilt thou bewail thy lot80 he asked4 8,go1 sleep1 ,o wretched man6 give thanks to ,god that the watchman has not tied thee by the hands40 ,bemoan not thine own misfortune when thou seest another more wretched than thyself4 ,,story ,,of ,,one ,,who ,,was ,,not ,,what ,,he ,,seemed ,some one passed by a pious man whom he took for a ,jew1 and1 therefore1 struck him on the neck4 ,the latter bestowed his robe upon the aggressor1 who1 becoming ashamed1 remarked3 8,i acted wrongly and thou hast forgiven me4 ,but what occasion is this for a gift80 8,i stood not up in anger10 was the reply1 8being thankful that ,i was not a ,jew1 as thou didst suppose40 ,,story ,,of ,a ,,sage ,,donkey ,one left behind on the road wept1 saying1 8,who in this desert is more distressed than ,i80 ,a pack-donkey answered3 8,o senseless man6 how long wilt thou bewail the tyranny of ,fate8 ,go1 and give thanks that1 though thou ridest not upon a donkey1 thou art not a donkey upon which men ride40 ,,story ,,illustrating ,,the ,,evils ,,of ,,pride ,a theologian passed by a drunkard who had fallen by the wayside4 ,filled with pride at his own piety1 he disdained even to regard him4 ,the young man raised his head and said3 8,go1 old man1 and give thanks that thou art in the ,divine favour--misfortune comes from pride4 ,laugh not when thou seest one in bonds lest thou likewise become involved4 ,after all1 is it not within the bounds of possibility that to-morrow thou mayest fall1 like me1 by the roadside80 ,if with a mosque the heavens have befriended thee1 revile not them that worship in the fire-temple4 ,o ,mussulman6 fold thy hands and render thanks that ,he has not bound the idolater's thread about thy waist4 ,turn to ,him who guides the hand of ,fate2 blindness it is to look for help elsewhere4 ,,story ,,of ,,sadi ,,and ,,the ,,idolaters ,at ,sumant#cd ,i saw an ivory idol4 ,it was set with jewels like the ,mant1 and nothing more beautiful could have been devised4 ,caravans from every country brought travellers to its side2 the eloquent from every clime made supplication before its lifeless figure4 8,why10 ,i pondered1 8does a living being worship an inanimate object80 ,to a fire-worshipper1 who was a fellow-lodger and friend of mine1 ,i said with gentleness3 8,o ,brahmin6 ,i am astonished at the doings of this place4 ,all are infatuated with this feeble form2 they are imprisoned in the well of superstition4 ,no power has the idol to move its hands or feet2 if thou throw it down1 it cannot rise from its place4 ,dost thou not see that its eyes are of amber8--it were folly to seek faithfulness from the stony-eyed40 ,the ,brahmin was angered at my words2 he became my enemy1 and informed the idolaters of what ,i had said4 ,since to them the crooked road appeared straight1 they saw the straight one crooked4 ,though a man be wise and intelligent1 he is a fool in the eyes of the ignorant4 ,like a drowning man1 ,i was destitute of help2 save in politeness1 ,i saw no remedy4 ,when the fool bears malice towards thee1 safety lies in gentleness and resignation4 ,therefore1 ,i praised aloud the chief of the ,brahmins1 saying3 8,o old man6 expounder of the ,asta and ,zend6 ,i1 too1 am pleased with the figure of this idol4 ,its appearance was strange in my sight--of its nature ,i have no knowledge4 ,only recently have ,i arrived in this place1 and a stranger can seldom distinguish between the evil and the good4 ,devotion by imitation is superstition3 what reality is there in the form of this idol1 for ,i am foremost among the worshippers80 ,the face of the ,brahmin glowed with joy as he said3 8,thy question is reasonable and thy actions are good--whoever seeks for proofs arrives at his destination4 ,who but this idol can raise his hands to ,god8 ,if thou wilt1 tarry here to-night1 so that to-morrow the mystery of this may become known to thee40 ,the night was as long as the ,day of ,judgment2 the fire-worshippers around me prayed without ablution4 ,in the morning1 they came again into the temple1 and ,i was sick with anger and confused from lack of sleep4 ,suddenly1 the idol raised its arm2 and later1 when the crowd had left1 the ,brahmin looked smilingly towards me1 saying3 8,i know that now thou wilt have no doubts2 truth has become manifest1 falsehood remaineth not40 ,seeing his ignorance thus increased1 ,i shed hypocritical tears and cried3 8,i am sorry for what ,i said40 ,at the sight of my tears the hearts of the infidels were softened2 they ran towards me in service1 and led me by the arms to the ivory idol1 which was seated upon a golden chair set on a throne of teak4 ,i kissed the hand of the little god--curses upon it and upon its worshippers6 ,for a few days ,i posed as an infidel and discussed the ,zend1 like a ,brahmin4 ,when ,i became a guardian of the temple my joy was such that ,i could scarce control my feelings4 ,one night1 ,i closed fast the door of the temple and1 searching1 discovered a screen of jewels and gold that went from the top of the throne to the bottom4 ,behind this screen the ,brahmin high priest was devoutly engaged with the end of a rope in his hand4 ,then did it become known to me that when the rope was pulled the idol of necessity raised its arm4 ,greatly confused at my presence1 the ,brahmin ran away in haste3 ,i followed in hot pursuit and threw him headlong down a well1 for ,i knew that1 if he remained alive1 he would seek to shed my blood4 ,when the purpose of an evil man is revealed to thee1 pull him up by the roots1 otherwise will he not desire that thou shouldst live4 ,the alarm being raised1 ,i fled quickly from the land4 ,when thou settest fire to a forest of canes1 beware of the tigers1 if thou art wise4 ,whenever ,i supplicate at the shrine of the ,knower of ,secrets1 the ,indian puppet comes into my recollection--it throws dust on the pride of mine eyes4 ,i know that ,i raise my hand1 but not by virtue of mine own strength4 ,men of sanctity stretch not out their hands themselves3 the ,fates invisibly pull the strings4 ,,chapter ,,ix ,,concerning ,,repentance ,o thou of whose life seventy years have passed1 perhaps thou hast slept in negligence that thy days have been thrown to the winds4 ,worldly aims hast thou well pursued2 no preparations hast thou made for the departure to that world to come4 ,on the ,judgment ,day1 when the bazar of ,paradise will be arrayed1 rank will be assigned in accordance with one's deeds4 ,if thou shouldst take a goodly stock of virtues1 in proportion will be thy profit2 if thou be bankrupt1 thou wilt be ashamed4 ,if fifty years of thy life have passed1 esteem as a precious boon the few that yet remain4 ,while still thou hast the power of speech1 close not thy lips like the dead from the praise of ,god4 ,,an ,,old ,,man',s ,,lament ,one night1 in the season of youth1 several of us young men sat together2 we sang like bulbuls and raised a tumult in the street by our mirth4 ,an old man sat silent1 apart2 like a filbert-nut1 his tongue was closed from speech4 ,a youth approached him and said3 8,o old man6 why sittest thou so mournfully in this corner8 ,come1 raise thy head from the collar of grief and join us in our festivity40 ,thus did the old man reply3 8,when the morning breeze blows over the rose-garden1 the young trees proudly wave their branches4 ,it becomes not me to mingle in thy company1 for the dawn of old age has spread over my cheeks4 ,thy turn it is to sit at this table of youth2 ,i have washed my hands of youthful pleasures4 ,time has showered snow upon my crow-like wings2 like the bulbul1 ,i could not sport in the garden4 ,soon will the harvest of my life be reaped2 for thee1 the new green leaves are bursting4 ,the bloom has faded from my garden2 who makes a nosegay from withered flowers8 ,i must weep1 like a child1 in shame for my sins1 but cannot emulate his pleasures40 ,well has ,luqman said3 8,it is better not to live at all than to live many years in sinfulness40 ,better1 too1 may it be to close the shop in the morning than to sell the stock at a loss4 ,,advice ,,and ,,warning ,to-day1 ,o youth1 take the path of worship1 for to-morrow comes old age4 ,leisure thou hast1 and strength--strike the ball when the field is wide4#ce ,i knew not the value of life's day till now that ,i have lost it4 ,how can an old ass strive beneath its burden8--go thy way1 for thou ridest a swift-paced horse4 ,a broken cup that is mended--what will its value be8 ,now that in carelessness the cup of life has fallen from thy hand1 naught remains but to join the pieces4 ,negligently hast thou let the pure water go2 how canst thou now perform thy ablutions1 except with sand8#cf ,,sadi',s ,,rebuke ,,from ,a ,,camel-,,driver ,one night in the desert of ,faid#cg my feet became fettered with sleep4 ,a camel-driver awoke me1 saying3 8,arise2 since thou heedest not the sound of the bell1 perhaps thou desirest to be left behind6 ,i1 like thee1 would sleep awhile1 but the desert stretches ahead4 ,how wilt thou reach the journey's end if thou sleepest when the drum of departure beats80 ,happy are they who have prepared their baggage before the beat of the drum6 ,the sleepers by the wayside raise not their heads and the caravan has passed out of sight4 ,he who was early awake surpassed all on the road2 what availed it to awaken when the caravan had gone8 ,this is the time to sow the deeds of the harvest thou wouldst reap4 ,go not bankrupt to the ,resurrection1 for it availeth not to sit in regret4 ,by means of the stock that thou hast1 ,o son1 profit can be acquired2 what profit accrueth to him who consumeth his stock himself8 ,strive now1 when the water reacheth not beyond thy waist2 delay not until the flood has passed over thy head4 ,heed the counsel of the wise to-day1 for to-morrow will ,nakir#ch question thee with sternness4 ,esteem as a privilege thy precious soul1 for a cage without a bird has no value4 ,waste not thy time in sorrow and regret1 for opportunity is precious and ,time is a sword4 ,,story ,,concerning ,,sorrow ,,for ,,the ,,dead ,a certain man died and another rent his clothes in grief4 ,hearing his cries1 a sage exclaimed3 8,if the dead man possessed the power he would tear his shroud by reason of thy wailing and would say3 #8,do not torment thyself on account of my affliction1 since a day or two before thee ,i made ready for the journey4 ,perhaps thou hast forgotten thine own death1 that my decease has made thee so distressed4'0 ,when he whose eyes are open to the truth scatters flowers over the dead1 his heart burns not for the dead but for himself4 ,why dost thou weep over the death of a child8 ,he came pure1 and he departed pure4 ,tie now the feet of the bird of the soul2 tarry not till it has borne the rope from thy hand4 ,long hast thou sat in the place of another2 soon will another sit in thy place4 ,though thou be a hero or a swordsman1 thou wilt carry away nothing but the shroud4 ,if the wild ass break its halter and wander into the desert its feet became ensnared in the sand4 ,thou1 too1 hast strength till thy feet go into the dust of the grave4 ,since yesterday has gone and to-morrow has not come1 take account of this one moment that now is4 ,in this garden of the world there is not a cypress that has grown which the wind of death has not uprooted4 ,,story ,,of ,a ,,pious ,,man ,,and ,a ,,gold ,,brick ,a gold brick fell into the hands of a pious man and so turned his head that his enlightened mind became gloomy4 ,he passed the whole night in anxious thought1 reflecting3 8,this treasure will suffice me till the end of my life2 no longer shall ,i have to bend my back before any one in begging4 ,a house will ,i build1 the foundation of which shall be of marble2 the rafters of the ceiling shall be of aloe-wood4 ,a special room will ,i have for my friends1 and its door shall lead into a garden-house4 ,servants shall cook my food1 and in ease will ,i nourish my soul4 ,this coarse woollen bed-cloth has killed me by its roughness2 now will ,i go and spread a carpet40 ,his imaginings made him crazy2 the crab had pierced its claws into his brain4 ,he forsook his prayers and devotions1 and neither ate nor slept4 ,unable to rest tranquil in one place1 he wandered to a plain1 with his head confused with the charms of his vain fancies4 ,an old man was kneading mud upon a grave for the purpose of making bricks4 ,absorbed in thought for a while1 the old man said3 8,o foolish soul6 hearken to my counsel4 ,why hast thou attached thy mind to that goldbrick when one day they will make bricks from thy dust8 ,the mouth of a covetous man is too widely open that it can be closed again by one morsel4 ,take1 ,o base man1 thy hand from off that brick1 for the river of thy avarice cannot be dammed up with a brick4 8,so negligent hast thou been in the thought of gain and riches that the stock of thy life has become trodden underfoot4 ,the dust of lust has blinded the eyes of thy reason--the simoon of desire has burned the harvest of thy life40 ,wipe the antimony of neglect from off thine eyes1 for to-morrow wilt thou be reduced to antimony under the dust4 ,,admonition ,thy life is a bird1 and its name is ,breath4 ,when the bird has flown from its cage it cometh not back to captivity4 ,be watchful1 for the world lasts but a moment1 and a moment spent with wisdom is better than an age with folly4 ,why fix we thus our minds upon this caravanserai8 ,our friends have departed and we are on the road4 ,after us1 the same flowers will bloom in the garden1 together will friends still sit4 ,when thou comest to ,shiraz1#ci dost thou not cleanse thyself from the dust of the road8 ,soon1 ,o thou polluted with the dust of sin1 wilt thou journey to a strange city4 ,weep1 and wash with thy tears thy impurities away4 ,,moral ,,from ,,an ,,incident ,,in ,,sadi',s ,,childhood ,i remember that1 in the time of my childhood1 my father 7may ,god's mercy be upon him every moment671 bought me a gold ring4 ,soon after1 a hawker took the ring from my hand in exchange for a date-fruit4 ,when a child knows not the value of a ring he will part with it for a sweetmeat4 ,thou1 too1 didst not recognise the value of life1 but indulged thyself in vain pleasures4 ,in the ,day of ,judgment1 when the good will attain to the highest dignity and mount from the bottommost depths of the earth to the ,pleiades1 thy head will hang forward in shame1 for thy deeds will gather around thee4 ,o brother6 be ashamed of the works of the evil1 for ashamed wilt thou be at the ,resurrection in the presence of the good4 ,,story ,,of ,a ,,man ,,who ,,reared ,a ,,wolf ,some one reared a wolf-cub1 which1 when grown in strength1 tore its master to pieces4 ,when the man was on the point of death a sage passed by and said3 8,didst thou not know that thou wouldest suffer injury from an enemy thus carefully reared80 ,how can we raise our heads from shame when we are at peace with ,satan and at war with ,god8 ,thy friend regards thee not when thou turnest thy face towards the enemy4 ,he who lives in the house of an enemy deems right estrangement from a friend4 ,,story ,,of ,a ,,cheat ,some one robbed the people of their money by cheating1 and whenever he had accomplished one of his nefarious acts he cursed the ,evil ,one1 who said3 8,never have ,i seen such a fool6 ,thou hast intrigued with me secretly2 why1 therefore1 dost thou raise the sword of enmity against me80 ,alas6 that the angels should record against thee iniquities committed by the order of the ,evil ,one6 ,go forward when thou seest that the door of peace is open1 for suddenly the door of repentance will be closed4 ,march not under a load of sin1 ,o son1 for a porter becomes exhausted on the journey4 ,the ,prophet is the ,mediator of him who follows the highway of his laws4 ,a ,,recollection ,,of ,,childhood ,in the time of my childhood ,i went out with my father during the ,id ,festival1 and in the tumult of the mob got lost4 ,i cried in fear1 when my father suddenly pulled my ear1 and said3 8,several times did ,i tell thee not to take thy hand from the skirt of my robe40 ,a child knows not how to go alone2 it is difficult to travel on any road unseen4 ,thou1 poor man1 art as a child in thine endeavours2 go1 hold the skirt of the virtuous4 ,sit not with the base1 but fasten thy hand to the saddle-straps of the pious4 ,go1 like ,sadi1 glean the corn of wisdom so that thou mayest store a harvest of divine knowledge4 ,,story ,,of ,,one ,,who ,,burned ,,his ,,harvest ,in the month of ,july1 a certain man stored his grain and set his mind at ease concerning it4 ,one night1 he became intoxicated and lighted a fire1 which destroyed his harvest4 ,the next day he sat down to glean the ears of corn1 but not a single grain remained in his possession4 ,seeing him thus afflicted1 some one remarked3 8,if thou didst not wish for this misfortune1 thou shouldst not in folly have burned thy harvest40 ,thou1 whose years have been wasted in iniquity1 art he who burns the harvest of his life4 ,do not so1 ,o my life6 ,sow the seeds of religion and justice1 and throw not to the winds the harvest of a good name4 ,knock at the door of forgiveness before thy punishment arrives1 for lamentation beneath the lash is of no avail4 ,,discourse ,,on ,,repentance ,he who supplicates the ,deity by night will not be shamed on the ,day of ,judgment4 ,if thou art wise1 pray for forgiveness in the night for the sins that thou hast committed in the day4 ,what is thy fear if thou hast made thy peace with ,god8 ,he closes not the door of forgiveness upon them that supplicate ,him4 ,if thou art a servant of ,god1 raise thy hands in prayer2 and if thou be ashamed1 weep in sorrow4 ,no one has stood upon ,his threshold whose sins the tears of repentance have not washed away4 ,,chapter ,x ,,concerning ,,prayer ,come1 let us raise our hands in prayer1 for to-morrow they will be powerless in the dust4 ,think not that he who supplicates before the ,door of ,mercy1 which is never shut1 will turn away in hopelessness4 ,o ,lord1 regard us with compassion1 for sin has entered among thy servants4 ,o gracious ,god6 by ,thy bounty have we been sustained2 to ,thy gifts and lovingkindness have we become habituated4 ,since in this life ,thou hast ennobled us above all things created1 hope of similar glory have we in the world to come4 ,o ,god1 humiliate me not by reason of ,thy greatness2 make me not ashamed by reason of my sins4 ,let no one prevail over me1 for it is better that ,i should suffer punishment from ,thy hand4 ,let it suffice that ,i am ashamed in ,thy presence2 make me not ashamed before my fellow-men4 ,if the shadow of ,thy mercy fall upon me1 mean is the dignity of the sky before mine eyes4 ,if ,thou give to me a crown1 ,i will raise my head3 exalt me1 so that no one may cast me down4 ,a ,,worshipper',s ,,lament ,i tremble when ,i recall the prayer of one distracted in the temple of ,mecca4 ,thus did he lament3 8,throw me not down1 for no one will hold my hand to succour me4 ,whether ,thou call me or drive me away1 my head has no resting-place but ,thy threshold4 ,thou knowest that ,i am poor and helpless2 ,i am oppressed by my evil passions4 ,keep me from pollution1 and forgive my sins4 ,close not mine eyes from the face of happiness2 bind not my tongue when ,i recite the creed4 ,place the lamp of ,faith before my way2 make my hand short from doing evil4 ,from the sun of ,thy goodness one ray suffices1 for except in ,thy rays ,i am not seen4 ,why should ,i weep because of my condition8 ,if ,i am weak1 my refuge is strong40 ,,story ,,of ,,an ,,idolater ,a fire-worshipper turned his back upon the world and girt up his loins in the service of an idol4 ,after some years he was overtaken by misfortune and wept at the feet of the idol1 saying3 8,i am afflicted--help me1 ,o idol6 ,i am weary--have pity upon me40 ,long did he continue in his lamentation1 but no benefit did he derive4 ,how can an idol accomplish the desires of a man when of itself it cannot drive away a fly8 ,the idolater frowned and said3 8,o thou1 whose feet are bound to error6 with folly have ,i worshipped thee for years4 ,help me to fulfil my wishes1 or ,i will ask them of ,god40 ,while his face was yet besmeared with the dust of the idol's feet1 the ,almighty fulfilled his object4 ,a pious man was astonished when he heard this4 ,then did a voice from heaven speak into his ear1 saying3 8,this old man prayed before the idol1 but his prayer was not heard4 ,if at the shrine of ,god he were likewise spurned1 what difference would there be between an idol and ,him ,who is eternal80 ,,notes #a ,i4e4 the ,bustn4 #b ,i4e4 its ten chapters4 #c ,lit4 8bone02 used metaphorically in the sense of 8a truth40 #d ,one of the kings of ,persia in whose reign ,sadi flourished4 ,his full name was ,atbak ,muzaffar-ud-,din b ,bakr-hin-,sa'd-hin-zang4 #e ,i4e4 ,abu ,bakr4 #f ,naushravn the ,just was the twentieth king of the fourth dynasty of ,persia1 and contemporary with the ,roman ,emperor ,justinian4 ,the ,prophet ,muhammad was born in his reign4 #g ,a title of the kings of ,persia4 ,it was originally applied to ,naushravn4 #h ,lit4 8silver40 #i ,darius ,codomanus was the last king of ,persia4 ,he waged many wars with ,alexander the ,great1 who finally defeated him at ,arbela4 ,the unfortunate king was afterwards killed by one ,bessus1 governor of ,bactriana1 #cca ,b4,c4 #aj ,one of the kings of ,persia4 ,he was called ,qazal because of the redness of his hair4 ,arsaln means 8a lion40 #aa ,name of a lofty mountain situated in ,hamdn1 north-west of ,isfahan4 #ab ,i4e4 shows one thing and sells another of inferior quality4 ,the expression is commonly used to denote a hypocrite4 #ac ,to do either is considered an act of virtue among ,muhammadans4 #ad ,by reason of the opportunity it presented to bestow his charity4 #ae ,it is impossible to convey the beauty of this line in ,english4 ,the ,persian words here used to express 8food0 and 8kiss0 are written alike1 except for one diacritical mark1 and the word 8change0 literally means 8making an error in writing and changing the diacritical points40 #af ,htim ,tai was an ,arabian chief who was renowned for his generosity4 ,he was born in ,yaman1 in ,arabia ,felix1 and lived some time before ,muhammad in the sixth century4 ,many legends have been woven round his life and character4 #ag ,horse-flesh was formerly eaten in parts of the ,east4 #ah ,i4e4 their love for ,god is insatiable4 #ai ,i4e4 the fire of love4 #bj 8,gold0 refers to 8life10 and 8,friend0 to 8,god40 ,the meaning is that one should devote one's life to religion1 and thus gain an entrance to the presence of the ,deity4 #ba ,byazd ,bastm was a celebrated saint of ,bustn1 in ,persia4 ,he died ,a4,d4 #bfa4 #bb ,abl ,mahfz1 surnamed ,marf1 was a celebrated saint of ,kareh1 a village in ,baghdad4 ,he was the son of a fire-worshipper1 and was born ,a4,d4 #hac1 during the reign of ,caliph ,mmn1 son of the celebrated ,hrn-ar-,rashd4 #bc ,ab-al-,hasan ,kshyr was a celebrated astronomer and the tutor of ,anicenna4 #bd ,luqman was a famous ,greek philosopher1 and is supposed by some to have been the author of sop's ,fables4 #be ,bakhtyr literally means 8fortunate02 the play on the word is1 therefore1 obvious4 #bf 8,darkness0 and 8light0 are used metaphorically in the sense of 8falseness0 and 8truth40 #bg ,khwarazm is situated to the east of the ,caspian ,sea1 near the mouth of the ,oxus4 #bh ,i4e4 in this transient and fleeting world4 #bi ,korah1 the cousin of ,moses and the proverbial miser of the ,easterns4 #cj ,i4e4 if you possess merit4 #ca ,a famous hero2 the ,hercules of the ,persians4 #cb ,the grandfather of ,rustam1 and1 like him1 a celebrated hero4 #cc ,faridun was the seventh king of ,persia1 his reign commencing about #gej ,b4,c4 ,he was the boast of the ,persians and a model of every virtue4 #cd ,a celebrated temple in ,guzerat demolished by ,sultan ,mahmud of ,ghazni in ,a4,d4 #ajbd4 #ce ,i4e4 engage in good works while you still have time4 #cf ,muhammad commanded that sand should be used for ablution before prayer when water was unobtainable1 as is more often than not the case in the desert4 #cg ,name of a village on the road to ,mecca4 #ch ,the angel who examines the dead in their graves4 #ci ,i4e4 your native land4 ,printed by ,hazell1 ,watson ,viney1 ,ld41 ,london and ,aylesbury4 ,,the ,,wisdom ,,of ,,the ,,east ,,series ,edited by ,l4 ,,cranmer-,,byng and ,dr4 ,s4 ,a4 ,,kapadia ,illustration ,,the ,,series ,,and ,,its ,,purpose ,the object of the ,editors of this ,series is a very definite one4 ,they desire above all things that1 in their humble way1 these books shall be the ambassadors of good-will and understanding between ,east and ,west--the old world of ,thought and the new of ,action4 ,in this endeavour1 and in their own sphere1 they are but followers of the highest example in the land4 ,they are confident that a deeper knowledge of the great ideals and lofty philosophy of ,oriental thought may help to a revival of that true spirit of ,charity which neither despises nor fears the nations of another creed and colour4 ,finally1 in thanking press and public for the very cordial reception given to the 8,wisdom of the ,east0 ,series1 they wish to state that no pains have been spared to secure the best specialists for the treatment of the various subjects at hand4 ,,new ,,volumes ,in the ,press ,,the ,,rub',,iy,t ,,of ,,hafiz4 ,translated with ,introduction by ,,syed ,,abdul ,,majid1 ,,ll4,d4 ,rendered into ,english ,verse by ,l4 ,,cranmer-,,byng4 #a_/- net4 ,a ,,chinese ,,quietist4 ,from the ,mystical ,philosophy of ,liehtsze4 ,translated by ,,lionel ,,giles1 ,m4,a4 #b_/- net4 ,just ,out ,,the ,,bust,n ,,of ,,sadi4 ,from the ,persian4 ,translated with ,introduction by ,a4 ,,hart ,,edwards4 #b_/- net4 ,,the ,,alchemy ,,of ,,happiness4 ,by ,,al ,,ghazzali4 ,rendered into ,english by ,,claud ,,field4 #b_/- net4 ,,the ,,singing ,,caravan4 ,some ,echoes of ,arabian ,poetry4 ,by ,,henry ,,baerlein4 #b_/- net4 ,,the ,,wisdom ,,of ,,the ,,apocrypha4 ,with an ,introduction by ,c4 ,e4 ,,lawrence1 ,author of 8,pilgrimage10 etc4 #b_/- net4 ,,the ,,burden ,,of ,,isis4 ,being the ,laments of ,isis and ,nephthys4 ,translated from the ,egyptian with an ,introduction by ,,james ,,teackle ,,dennis4 #a_/- net4 ,,the ,,master-,,singers ,,of ,,japan4 ,being ,verse ,translations from the ,japanese ,poets4 ,by ,,clara ,a4 ,,walsh4 #b_/- net4 ,,the ,,path ,,of ,,light4 ,rendered for the first time into ,english from the ,bodhi-charvvatra of ,snti-,deva4 ,a ,manual of ,mah-,yna ,buddhism4 ,by ,l4 ,d4 ,,barnett1 ,m4,a4 ,,litt4,d4 #b_/- net4 ,,the ,,splendour ,,of ,,god4 ,being ,extracts from the ,sacred ,writings of the ,bahais4 ,with ,introduction by ,,eric ,,hammond4 #b_/- net4 ,a ,,lute ,,of ,,jade4 ,being ,selections from the ,classical ,poets of ,china4 ,rendered with an ,introduction by ,l4 ,,cranmer-,,byng1 #b_/- net4 ,,the ,,confessions ,,of ,,al ,,ghazzali4 ,translated for the first time into ,english by ,,claud ,,field1 ,m4,a4 #a_/- net4 ,,the ,,heart ,,of ,,india4 ,sketches in the ,history of ,hindu ,religion and ,morals4 ,by ,l4 ,d ,,barnett1 ,m4,a41 ,,litt4,d41 ,professor of ,sanskrit at ,university ,college1 ,london4 #b_/- net4 ,,the ,,book ,,of ,,filial ,,duty4 ,translated from the ,chinese of the ,hsiao ,ching by ,,ivan ,,ch,n1 first ,secretary to the ,chinese ,legation4 #a_/- net4 ,,the ,,diwan ,,of ,,abu',l-,,ala4 ,by ,,henry ,,baerlein4 #a_/- net4 ,,brahma-,,knowledge3 ,an ,outline of the ,philosophy of the ,vednta4 ,as set forth1 by the ,upanishads and by ,sankara4 ,by ,l4 ,d4 ,,barnett1 ,m4,a41 ,,litt4,d41 ,professor of ,sanskrit at ,university ,college1 ,london4 #b_/4 net4 ,,the ,,conduct ,,of ,,life2 or1 ,the ,universal ,order of ,confucius4 ,a translation of one of the four ,confucian ,books1 hitherto known as the ,doctrine of the ,mean4 ,by ,,ku ,,hung ,,ming1 ,m4,a4 7,edin474 #a_/- net4 ,,the ,,teachings ,,of ,,zoroaster4 ,translated with ,introduction by ,dr4 ,s4 ,a4 ,,kapadia1 ,lecturer1 ,university ,college1 ,london4 #b_/- net4 ,,the ,,persian ,,mystics4 ,i4 ,jallu'd-dn ,rm4 ,by ,f4 ,,hadland ,,davis4 #b_/- net4 ,,ii4 ,jm4 ,by ,f4 ,,hadland ,,davis4 #b_/- net4 ,,the ,,way ,,of ,,the ,,buddha4 ,selections from the ,buddhist texts1 together with the original ,pali1 with ,introduction by ,,herbert ,,baynes1 ,m4,r4,a4,s4 #b_/- net4 ,,the ,,sayings ,,of ,,confucius4 ,a new ,translation of the greater part of the ,confucian ,analects1 with ,introduction and ,notes by ,,lionel ,,giles1 ,m4,a4 7,oxon471 ,assistant in the ,department of ,oriental ,books and ,manuscripts of the ,british ,museum4 #b_/- net4 ,,musings ,,of ,a ,,chinese ,,mystic4 ,selections from the ,philosophy of ,chuang ,tz4 ,with ,introduction by ,,lionel ,,giles1 ,m4,a4 7,oxon471 ,assistant at the ,british ,museum4 #b_/- net4 ,,the ,,awakening ,,of ,,the ,,soul4 ,from the ,arabic of ,,ibn ,,tufail4 ,translated with ,introduction by ,,paul ,,br,,nnle1 ,ph4,d4 #a_/f net4 ,,the ,,religion ,,of ,,the ,,koran4 ,with ,introduction by ,sir ,,arthur ,n4 ,,wollaston1 ,k4,c4,i4,e4 #a_/- net4 ,,the ,,wisdom ,,of ,,israel3 ,being ,extracts from the ,babylonian ,talmud and ,midrash ,rabboth4 ,translated from the ,aramaic with an ,introduction by ,,edwin ,,collins4 #a_/- net4 ,,sa',,di',s ,,scroll ,,of ,,wisdom4 ,by ,,shaikh ,,sa',,di4 ,with ,introduction by ,sir ,,arthur ,n4 ,,wollaston1 ,k4,c4,i4,e4 #a_/- net4 ,with ,persian ,script added4 #b_/- net4 ,,the ,,instruction ,,of ,,ptah-,,hotep ,,and ,,the ,,instruction ,,of ,,ke',,gemni4 ,the ,oldest ,books in the ,world4 ,translated from the ,egyptian with ,introduction and ,appendix by ,,battiscombe ,g4 ,,gunn4 #a_/- net4 ,,the ,,rose ,,garden ,,of ,,sa',,di4 ,selected and ,rendered from the ,persian with ,introduction by ,l4 ,,cranmer-,,byng4 #a_/- net4 ,,the ,,classics ,,of ,,confucius4 ,i4 ,the ,book of ,history 7,shu-,king74 ,by ,w4 ,,gorn ,,old4 #a_/- net4 ,,ii4 ,the ,book of ,odes 7,shi-,king74 ,by ,l4 ,,cranmer-,,byng4 #a_/- net4 ,,the ,,sayings ,,of ,,lao ,,tz4 ,from the ,chinese4 ,translated with ,introduction by ,,lionel ,,giles1 of the ,british ,museum4 #a_/- net4 ,,women ,,and ,,wisdom ,,of ,,japan4 ,with ,introduction by ,s4 ,,takaishi4 #a_/- net4 ,,arabian ,,wisdom4 ,selections and ,translations from the ,arabic by ,,john ,,wortabet1 ,m4,d4 #a_/- net4 ,,the ,,duties ,,of ,,the ,,heart4 ,by ,,rabbi ,,bachye4 ,translated from the ,hebrew with ,introduction by ,,edwin ,,collins4 ,hollier ,hebrew ,scholar1 ,u4,c4,l4 #a_/- net4 ,,romance ,,of ,,the ,,east ,,series ,edited by ,l4 ,,cranmer-,,byng ,crown #hvo4 #bs4 #f;d4 net each ,in this series the great store-houses of ,oriental romance will be opened for the first time to the public4 ,tales from the ,sanskrit1 from the ,chinese1 from every language of the ,east possessing a great literature will appear in due course4 ,from these vivid narratives of old-world romance it will be possible for the reader to glean much information concerning the lives and manners and customs of vanished races1 and the greatness of ,empires that have passed away4 ,,tales ,,of ,,the ,,caliphs4 ,from the ,arabic ,translated by ,,claud ,,field ,,tales ,,within ,,tales4 ,from the ,fables of ,pilpai ,translated by ,sir ,,arthur ,,wollaston1 ,k4,c4,i4,e4 ,,the ,,golden ,,town4 ,from the ,sanskrit of ,soma ,deva ,translated by ,dr4 ,l4 ,d4 ,,barnett ,works added to the ,series will be announced in due course ,,london ,,john ,,murray1 ,,albemarle ,,street1 ,w4