Content: Sheikh Mosleh Al-Din Saadi Shirazi
Content: Sheikh Mosleh Al-Din Saadi Shirazi
Content: Sheikh Mosleh Al-Din Saadi Shirazi
Sheikh Mosleh al-Din Saadi Shirazi World famous Persian -Iranian13th century poet
Content
3
Prologue
Chapter 01: Concerning Justice, Counsel, and the d!inistration o" #o$ern!ent Chapter 0%: Concerning &ene$olence Chapter 0': Concerning (o$e Chapter 0): Concerning *u!ility Chapter 0+: Concerning ,esignation Chapter 0-: Concerning Content!ent Chapter 0.: Concerning /ducation Chapter 00: Concerning #ratitude Chapter 01: Concerning ,epentance Chapter 10: Concerning
14 22 28 39 44 50 59 66 3
Prayer
Prologue
!erci"ul
In the name of !im Who created and sustains the "orld# the $a%e Who endo"ed ton%ue "ith speech& !e attains no honor "ho turns the face from the doer of !is mercy& 'he (in%s of the earth prostate themsel)es *efore !im in supplication& !e sei+es not in haste the diso*edient# nor dri)es a"ay the penitent "ith )iolence& 'he t"o "orlds are as a drop of "ater in the ocean of !is (no"led%e& !e "ithholds not !is *ounty thou%h !is ser)ants sin, upon the surface of the earth has !e spread a feast# in "hich *oth friend and for may share& Peerless !e is# and !is (in%dom is eternal& -pon the head of one !e placeth a cro"n another he hurleth from the throne to the %round& 'he fire of !is friend !e turneth into a flo"er %arden, throu%h the "ater of the .ile !e sendeth !is foes to perdition& /ehind the )eil !e seeth all# and concealeth our faults "ith !is o"n %oodness& !e is near to them that are do"ncast# and accepteth the prayers of them that lament& !e (no"eth of the thin%s that e0ist not# of secrets that are untold& !e causeth the moon and the sun to re)ol)e# and spreadeth "ater upon the earth& In the heart of a stone hath !e placed a 1e"el, from nothin% hath !e created all that is& Who can re)eal the secret of !is 2ualities, "hat eye can see the limits of !is *eauty3 'he *ird of thou%ht cannot soar to the hei%ht of !is presence# nor the hand of understandin% reach to the s(irt of !is praise& 'hin( not# 4 $aadi# that one can "al( in the road of purity e0cept in the footsteps of 5ohammed& !e is the patriarch of the prophets# the %uide of the path of sal)ation, the mediator of man(ind# and the chief of the 6ourt of 7ud%ment& What of thy praises can $aadi utter3 'he mercy of 8od *e upon thee# 4 Prophet# and peace9
remains to thee&
tree and "hose face "as as fair as the sun& Fe%ardin% him# the sleeper said# ;4 splendid *ein%9 5an(ind (no"s not of thy *eauty& Aearful of countenance do they ima%ine thee# and hideous ha)e they depicted thee on the "alls of the pu*lic *aths& 'he Prince of <)il smiled# ;$uch is not my fi%ure#> he replied# ;*ut the pencil "as in the hand of an enemy9 'he root of their stoc( did I thro" out of Paradise, no" in malice do they paint me u%ly&> ;In the same "ay#> continued the )i+ier# ;althou%h my fame is %ood# the en)ious spea( ill of me& 'hose "ho are %uiltless are *ra)e in speech, only he "ho %i)es false "ei%ht has fear of the inspector&> ;Aorsooth#> the (in% e0claimed# his an%er risin%# ;I heard this not only from thine enemy& !a)e I not seen "ith my o"n eyes that amon% the assem*la%e of this court thou re%ardest none# *ut those t"o sla)es3> ;'hat is true#> the )i+ier said# ;/ut I "ill e0plain this matter if thou "ilt listen& Dost thou not (no" that the *e%%ar eyes the rich "ith en)y3 4nce# li(e those sla)es# did I possess *oth %race and *eauty& '"o ro"s of teeth "ere set *ehind my lips# erect li(e a "all of i)ory ?8@ *ric(s& 4ne *y one# li(e ancient *rid%es# ha)e they fallen - re%ard me no" as here I stand9 Why may I not %lance "ith en)y at those sla)es "hen they recall to me the past3> When the "ise man had pierced this pearl of lustrous truth# the (in% e0claimed: ;/etter than this it "ould *e impossi*le to spea(& Permissi*le it is to loo( to"ard the fair is one "ho can thus e0cuse himself& !ad I not in "isdom acted "ith deli*eration# I should ha)e "ron%ed him throu%h the speech of an enemy&> 'o carry the hand 2uic(ly to the s"ord in an%er is to carry the *ac( of the hand to the teeth in re%ret& !eed not the "ords of the en)ious, if thou actest upon them# remorseful "ilt thou *e& =dmonishin% the slandered for his e)il "ords# the (in% further increased the di%nity of the )i+ier# "ho directed the affairs of the $tate for many years "ith 1ustice and *ene)olence# and "as lon% remem*ered for his )irtues&
7he story o" bdul ziz and the pearl 'he story is told of =*dul =+i+
that he had a pearl of %reat *eauty and )alue set in a rin%& $hortly after# a se)ere drou%ht occurred# causin% distress amon% the people& 5o)ed *y compassion# the (in% ordered the pearl to *e sold and the money that it fetched to *e %i)en to the poor& $omeone chided him for doin% this# sayin%# ;.e)er a%ain "ill such a stone come into thy hands&> Weepin%# the (in% replied# ;-%ly is an ornament upon the person of a (in% "hen the hearts of his people are distressed *y "ant& /etter for me is a stoneless rin% than a sorro"in% people&> !appy is he "ho sets the ease of others a*o)e his o"n& 'he )irtuous desire not their o"n pleasure at the e0pense of others& When the (in% sleeps ne%lectfully upon his couch# I tro" not that the *e%%ar finds en)ia*le repose&
;<nou%h9> !e cried& ;Feli%ion consists alone in the ser)ice of the people, it finds no place in the prayer-*eads# or prayer-ru%# or tattered %arment& /e a (in% in so)erei%nty and a de)otee in purity of morals& =ction# not "ords# is demanded *y reli%ion# for "ords "ithout action are )oid of su*stance&>
of the sufferin% reach to hea)en&> ;'hou at least#> I ur%ed# ;hast nau%ht to fear, poison (ills only "here there is no antidote&> Fe%ardin% me "ith indi%nation# as a learned man re%ards a fool# my friend replied# ;=lthou%h a man *e safely on the shore# he stands not supine "hile his friends are dro"nin%& 5y face is not pale throu%h "ant, the sorro"s of the poor ha)e "ounded my heart& =lthou%h# praise *e to =llah# I am free from "ounds# I trem*le "hen I see the "ounds of others&> /itter are the pleasures of him "ho is in health "hen a sic( man is at his side& When the *e%%ar has not eaten# poisonous and *aneful is oneGs food&
If 'hou art "ise# incline to"ards the essential truth# for that remains# "hile the thin%s that are e0ternal pass a"ay& !e "ho has neither (no"led%e# %enerosity# nor piety resem*les a man in form alone& !e sleeps at peace *eneath the %round "ho made tran2uil the hearts of men& 8i)e no" of thy %old and *ounty# for e)entually "ill it pass from thy %rasp& 4pen the door of thy treasure today# for tomorro" the (ey "ill not *e in thy hands& If thou "ould not *e distressed on the Day of 7ud%ment# for%et not them that are distressed& Dri)e not the poor man empty from thy door# lest thou should "ander *efore the doors of stran%ers& !e protects the needy "ho fears that he himself may *ecome needful of the help of others& =rt not thou# too# a supplicant3 /< %rateful# and turn not a"ay them that supplicate thee&
fello"s& /e %enerous to the e0tent of thy po"er& If thou hast not du% a "ell in the desert# at least place a lamp in a shrine& ?13@ 6harity distri*uted from an o0Gs s(in that is filled "ith treasure counts for less than a dinar %i)en from the "a%es of toil& <)ery manGs *urden is suited to his stren%th - hea)y to the ant is the foot of the locust& Do %ood to others so that on the morro" 8od may not deal harshly "ith thee& /e lenient "ith thy sla)e# for he may one day *ecome a (in%# li(e a pa"n that *ecomes a 2ueen&
$omeone sa" a fo0 that "as *ereft of the use of its le%s& !e "as "onderin% ho" the animal mana%ed to li)e in this condition "hen a ti%er dre" near "ith a 1ac(al in its cla"s& 'he ti%er ate the 1ac(al# and the fo0 finished the remains& 'he ne0t day also did the 4mnipotent Pro)ider send the fo0 its daily meal& 'he eyes of the man "ere thus opened to the li%ht of true (no"led%e& ;=fter this#> he reflected# ;I "ill sit in a corner li(e an ant# for the elephantGs portion is not %ained *y reason of its stren%th&> $o did he sit in silence# "aitin% for his daily food to come from the In)isi*le& .o one heeded him# and soon "as he reduced to s(in and *ones& When# at last# his senses had almost %one throu%h "ea(ness# a )oice came out from the "all of a mos2ue# sayin%: ;8o# 4# false one9 /e the rendin% ti%er and pose not as a paralytic fo0& <0ert thyself li(e the ti%er# so that somethin% may remain from thy spoil& Why# li(e the fo0# appease thy hun%er "ith lea)in%3 <at of the fruits of thine o"n endea)ors, stri)e li(e a man# and relie)e the "ants of the needy&> $ei+e# 4# youth# the hand of the a%ed, fall not thyself# sayin%# ;!old my hand&> In the t"o "ords does he o*tain re"ard "ho does %ood to the people of 8od&
;Arom !atam "ill I re2uest that horse# ; the (in% replied& ;If he *e %enerous and %i)e it to me# then shall I (no" that his fame is true, if not# that it is *ut the sound of a hollo" drum&> $o he dispatched a messen%er "ith ten follo"ers to !atam& 'hey ali%hted at the house of the =ra* chief# "ho prepared a feast and (illed a horse> in their honor& 4n the follo"in% day# "hen the messen%er e0plained the o*1ect of his mission# !atam *ecame as one mad "ith %rief& ;Why#> he cried# ;didst thou not %i)e me *efore thy messa%e3 'hat s"ift-paced horse did I roast last ni%ht for thee to eat& .o other means had I to entertain thee, that horse alone stood *y my tent# and I "ould not that my %uests should sleep fastin%&> 'o the men he %a)e money and splendid ro*es# and "hen the ne"s of his %enerosity reached to 'ur(ey# the (in% sho"ered a thousand praises upon his nature&
7he story o" *ata! and the !essenger sent to kill hi!
4ne of the (in%s of Kemen "as reno"ned for his li*erality# yet the name of !atam "as ne)er mentioned in his presence "ithout his fallin% into a ra%e& ;!o" lon%#> he "ould as(# ;"ilt thou spea( of that )ain man# "ho possesses neither a (in%dom# nor po"er# nor "ealth3> 4n one occasion he prepared a royal feast# "hich the people "ere in)ited to attend& $omeone *e%an to spea( of !atam# and another to praise him& <n)ious# the (in% dispatched a man to slay the =ra*ian chief# reflectin%# ;$o lon% as !atam li)es# my name "ill ne)er *ecome famous& 'he messen%er departed# and tra)eled far see(in% for !atam that he mi%ht (ill him& =s he "ent alon% the road a youth came out to meet him& !e "as handsome and "ise# and sho"ed friendliness to"ard the messen%er# "hom he too( to his house to pass the ni%ht& $uch li*erality did he sho"er upon his %uest that the heart of the e)il-minded one "as turned to %oodness& In the mornin% the %enerous youth (issed his hand and said# ;Femain "ith me for a fe" days&> I am una*le to tarry here#> replied the messen%er# ;for ur%ent *usiness is *efore me&> ;If thou "ilt entrust me "ith thy secret#> said the youth# ;to aid the "ill I spare no effort&> ;4# %enerous man9> "as the reply# ;%i)e ear to me# for I (no" that the %enerous are concealers of secrets& Perhaps in this country thou (no"est !atam# "ho is of lofty mind and no*le 2ualities& 'he (in% of Kemen desires his head# thou%h I (no" not "hat enmity has arisen *et"een them& 8rateful shall I *e if thou "ilts direct me to "here he is& 'his hope from thy (indness do I entertain# 4 friend9>
'he youth lau%hed and said# ;I am !atam# see here my head9 $tri(e it from my *ody "ith thy s"ord& I "ould not that harm should *efall thee# or that thou shouldst fall in thy endea)or&> 'hro"in% aside his s"ord# the man fell on the %round and (issed the dust of !atamGs feet& ;If I in1ured a hair on thy *ody#> he cried# ;I should no lon%er *e a man&> $o sayin%# he clasped !atam to his *reast and too( his "ay *ac( to Kemen& ;6ome#> said the (in% as the man approached# ;"hat ne"s hast thou3> Why didst thou not tie his head to thy saddle-straps3 Perhaps that famous one attac(ed thee and thou "ert too "ea( to en%a%e in com*at&> 'he messen%er (issed the %round and said# ;4# "ise and 1ust (in%9 I found !atam# and sa" him to *e %enerous and full of "isdom# and in coura%e superior to myself& 5y *ac( "as *ent *y the *urden of his fa)ors, "ith the s"ord of (indness and *ounty he (illed me&> When he had related all that he had seen of !atamGs %enerosity# the (in% uttered praises upon the family of the =ra* chief and re"arded the messen%er "ith %old&
#od:s ;riendship
story illustrating the reality o" lo$e
4ne "ho lo)ed 8od set his face to"ards the desert& !is father# *ein% %rie)ed at his a*sence# neither ate nor slept& $omeone admonished the son# "ho said# ;$ince my Ariend has claimed me as !is o"n# no other friendship do I o"n& When !e re)ealed to me !is *eauty# all else that I sa" appeared unreal&> 'hey that lo)e !im care for no one else, their senses are confused and their ears are deaf to the "ords of them that reproach& 'hey "ander throu%h the desert of Di)ine Bno"led%e "ithout a cara)an& 'hey ha)e no hope of appro*ation from their fello"-men# for they are the chosen of the elect of 8od&
'he ne0t ni%ht a%ain he passed the ni%ht in de)otion# and a disciple# *ein% informed of his circumstances said# ;When thou seest that the door is shut# "hy dost thou thus e0ert thyself3> Weepin%# he replied# ;4# my son9 Dost thou suppose that althou%h !e has torn my reins I shall (eep my hands from off his saddle-straps3 When a supplicant is repelled at one door# "hat is his fear if he (no" of another3> While thus he spo(e# "ith his head upon the %round# the an%el uttered this messa%e in his ears# ;=lthou%h there is no merit in him# his prayers are accepted# for e0cept 5e# he has no refu%e&>
7he story o" Sultan Mah!ud and his lo$e "or yaz
$ome one found fault "ith the (in% of 8ha+ani# sayin%# ;=ya+# his fa)orite sla)e# possesses no *eauty& It is stran%e that a ni%htin-%ale should lo)e a rose that has neither color nor perfume&> 'his "as told to 5ahmud# "ho said# ;5y lo)e# 4 sir# is for )irtue# not for form or stature&> I ha)e heard that in a narro" pass a camel fell and a chest of pearls "as *ro(en& 'he (in% %a)e the si%nal for plunder# and ur%ed on his horse "ith speed& 'he horsemen did li(e"ise# and# lea)in% the (in% *ehind# %athered up the pearls& .ot one of them remained near the (in% e0cept =ya+& ;4# thou of curly loc(s9> said 5ahmud# ;What hast thou %ained of the plunder3> ;.othin%#> he replied& ;I "al(ed in haste *ehind thee# I do not occupy myself "ith riches a"ay from thy ser)ice&> If an honora*le place in the court *e thine# *e not ne%lectful of the (in% *ecause of %ain else"here&
*onor6s sacri"ice
7he story o" a $illage chie"
= )illa%e chief passed "ith his son throu%h the center of the imperial army& In the presence of such pomp and splendor the man displayed humility and fled# throu%h fear# into a corner& ;=fter all#> o*ser)ed the son# ;thou art a )illa%e chief# and of hi%her position than the no*les& Why dost thou trem*le li(e a "illo" tree3> ;'rue#> replied the father& I am a chief and a ruler# *ut my honor lies as far as my )illa%e&> 'hus# are the saints o)er"helmed "ith fear "hen they stand in the court of their
Bin%&
(o$e6s sacri"ice
7he story o" a !oth and a candle
$omeone said to a moth# ;8o# thou contempti*le creature# and ma(e friendship "ith one "orthy of thyself& 8o "here thou seest the path of hope& !o" different is thy lo)e from that of the candle9 'hou art not a salamander - ho)er not around the fire# for *ra)ery is necessary *efore com*at& It is not compati*le "ith reason that thou shouldst ac(no"led%e as a friend one "hom thou (no"est to *e thine enemy&> ;What does it matter if I *urn3> 'he moth replied& ;I ha)e lo)e in my heart# and this flame is as a flo"er to me& .ot of my o"n accord do I thro" myself into the fire, the chain of her lo)e is upon my nec(& Who is it that finds fault "ith my friendship of my friend3 I am content to *e slain at her feet& I *urn *ecause she is dear to me# and *ecause my destruction may affect her& $ay not to the helpless man from "hose hands the rein ha)e fallen# GDri)e slo"ly&>
arro"s and stones may rain upon his head& /e cautious, if thou %oest do"n to the sea# %i)e thyself up the storm& 5otes:
1 - i&e& 'he fire of lo)e 18- ;8old> refers to ;life#> and ;Ariend> to ;8od&> 'he meanin% is that one should de)ote oneGs life to reli%ion# and thus %ain an entrance to the presence of the Deity&
the elder and his follo"ers suppose he did not care to ser)e& 'he ne0t day# a ser)ant of the mos2ue met him on the road and said# ;'hou didst act "ron%ly in thy per)erse 1ud%ment& Bno"est thou not# 4 conceited youth# that men are di%nified *y ser)ice3> $orro"fully# the youth *e%an to "eep& ;4 soul-cherishin% and heart-illuminatin% friend9> !e ans"ered# ;I sa" no dirt or ru**ish in that holy place *ut mine o"n corrupt self& 'herefore# I retraced my steps# for a mos2ue is *etter cleansed from such&> !umility is the only ritual for a de)otee& If thou desire %reatness# *e hum*le, no other ladder is there *y "hich to clim*&
Concerning hu!ility
story o" Sultan &ayazid &asta!i ?19@
When /aya+id "as comin% from his *ath one mornin% durin% the <id festi)al# someone un"ittin%ly emptied a tray of ashes from a "indo" upon his head& With his face and tur*an al *espattered# he ru**ed his hands in %ratitude and said# ;I am in truth "orthy of the fires of hell& Why should I *e an%ered *y a fe" ashes3> 'he %reat do not re%ard themsel)es, loo( not for the %odliness in a self-conceited man& <minence does not consist in out"ard sho" and )auntin% "ords# nor di%nity in hauteur and pretension& 4n the Day of 7ud%ment thou "ilt see in Paradise him "ho sou%ht truth and re1ected )ain pretension& !e "ho is headstron% and o*durate falleth headlon%, if thou desire %reatness# a*andon pride&
If thou are eminent# lau%h not# if thou art "ise# at them that are lo"ly& 5any ha)e fallen from hi%h "hose places ha)e *een ta(en *y the fallen& 'hou%h thou *e free from defect# re)ile not me "ho am full of *lemishes& 4ne holds the chain of the BaG*a temple in his hands, another lies drun(en in the ta)ern& If 8od calls the latter# "ho can dri)e him a"ay& If !e e0pel the former# "ho can *rin% him *ac(3 'he one cannot implore the di)ine help *e reason of his %ood deeds# nor is the door of repentance closed upon the other&
;Place not upon my head the fetters of pride# for tomorro" this fifty-yarded tur*an "ould turn my head from those in 1aded %ar*& 'hose "ho called me GlordG and GchiefG "ould then appear insi%nificant in mine eyes& Is pure "ater different "hether it *e contained in a %o*let of %old or an earthen e"er3 = manGs head re2uires *rain and intellect# not an imposin% tur*an li(e thine& = *i% head does not ma(e one "orthy, it is li(e the %ourd# )oid of (ernel& /e not proud *ecause of thy tur*an and *eard# for the one is cotton and the other %rass& 4ne should aim at the de%ree of eminence that is comforta*le "ith oneGs merit& With all this intellect# I "ill not call thee man# thou%h a hundred sla)es "al( *ehind thee& !o" "ell spo(e the shell "hen a %reedy fool pic(ed it out of the mire: G.one "ill *uy me for the smallest price, *e not so insane as to "rap me up in sil(&G = man is not *etter than his fello"s *y reason of his "ealth# for an ass# thou%h co)ered "ith a satin cloth# is still an ass&> In this "ay the cle)er doctor "ashed the rancor from his heart "ith the "ater of "ords& 'hus do those "ho are a%%rie)ed spea( harshly& /e not idle "hen thine enemy has fallen& Dash out his *rains "hen thou art a*le# for delay "ill efface the %rud%e from thy mind& $o o)ercome "as the 8ha+i *y his )ehemence that he e0claimed# ;Lerily# this day is a hard one&> !e *it his fin%ers in ama+ement# and his eyes stared at the doctor li(e the t"o stars near the pole of the lesser *ear& =s for the latter# he "ent a*ruptly out and "as ne)er seen there a%ain& 'hey in the court clamored to (no" "hence such an impertinent fello" had come& =n official "ent in search of him# and ran in all directions# as(in% "hether a man of that description had *een seen& $omeone said# ;We (no" no one in this city so elo2uent as $aadi&> = hundred thousand praises to him "ho said so, see ho" s"eetly he uttered the *itter truth9
Saadi:s elo=uence
7he story o" the honey seller
= man of smilin% countenance sold honey# capti)atin% the hearts of all *y his pleasant manner& !is customers "ere as numerous as flies around the su%ar cane if he had sold poison people "ould ha)e *ou%ht it for honey& = for*iddin% loo(in% man re%arded him "ith en)y# *ein% 1ealous of the "ay his *usiness prospered& 4ne day he paraded the to"n "ith a tray of honey on his head and a sco"l on his face& !e "andered a*out cryin% his "ares# *ut no one e)inced a desire to *uy& =t ni%htfall# ha)in% earned no money# he "ent and sat de1ectedly in a corner# "ith a face as *itter as that of a dinner fearful of retri*ution& 'he "ife of one of his nei%h*ors 1o(in%ly remar(ed# ;!oney is *itter to on of sour temper&> It is "ron% to eat *read at the ta*le of one "hose face is as "rin(led "ith fro"ns as the cloth on "hich it is ser)ed&
4# sir9 =dd not to thine o"n *urdens# for an e)il temper *rin%s disaster in its train& If thou hast not a s"eet ton%ue li(e $aadi# thou hast neither %old nor sil)er&
thee a sla)e of handsome appearance and %ood character& 'a(e this one to the sla)e-mar(et and sell him& If a piece is offered for him# do not refuse it# for he "ould *e dear at that&> 'he %ood-natured man smiled and said# ;4# friend9 =lthou%h the character of my sla)e is certainly *ad# my character is impro)ed *y him# for "hen I ha)e learned to tolerate his manner I shall *e a*le to put up "ith anythin% at the hands of others& It "as not humane to sell him and thus ma(e (no"n his faults& =nd it is *etter to endure his affliction myself than to pass him on to others&> =ccept for thyself "hat thou "ouldst accept for others& If distressed thyself# in)ol)e not thy fello"s& Aor*earance is at first li(e poison# *ut "hen in%rained in the nature it *ecomes li(e honey&
consists in mee(ness&
*ar(s at the door of 8od# for I sa" none more lo"ly than a do%3> If thou desire to attain to di%nity# let humility *e thy path& /ehold# "hen the de" lies lo" upon the earth# the sun doth raise it to the s(ies&
Chapter +
Concerning ,esignation
!appiness comes from the fa)or of 8od# not from the mi%ht of the po"erful& If the hea)ens *esto" not fortune# *y no )alor can it *e o*tained& 'he ant suffers not *y reason of its "ea(ness, the ti%er eats not *y )irtue of its stren%th& $ince the hand reaches not to the s(ies# accept as ine)ita*le the fortune that it *rin%s& If thy life is destined to *e lon%# no sna(e or s"ord "ill harm thee, "hen the fated day of death arri)es# the antidote "ill (ill thee no less than the poison&
,esignation to "ate
!e lau%hed and said# ;$ince the day of the *attle of 'artary# I ha)e e0pelled the thou%hts of fi%htin% from my head& 'hen did I see the earth arrayed "ith spears li(e a forest of reeds& I raised li(e smo(e the dust of conflict# *ut "hen Aortune does not fa)or# of "hat a)ail is fury3 I am one "ho# in com*at# could ta(e "ith a spear a rin% from the palm of the hand# *ut as my star did not *efriend me# they encircled me as "ith a rin%& I sei+ed the opportunity of fli%ht# for only a fool
stri)es "ith Aate& !o" could my helmet and cuirass aid me "hen my *ri%ht star fa)ored me not3 When the (ey of )ictory is not in the hand# no one can *rea( open the door of con2uest "ith his arms& ;'he enemy "ere a pac( of leopards# and as stron% as elephants& 'he heads of the heroes "ere encased in iron# as "ere also the hoofs of the horses& We ur%ed on our =ra* steeds li(e a cloud# and "hen the t"o armies encountered each other# thou "ouldst ha)e said they had struc( do"n the s(y to the earth& Arom the rainin% arro"s# that descended li(e hail# the storm of death arose in e)ery corner& .ot one of our troops came out of the *attle# *ut his cuirass "as soa(ed "ith *lood& .ot that our s"ords "ere *lunt - it "as the )en%eance of stars of ill fortune& 4)erpo"ered# "e surrendered# li(e a fish "hich# thou%h protected *y scales# is cau%ht *y the hoo( in the *ait& $ince Aortune a)erted her face# useless "as our shield a%ainst the arro"s of Aate&>
stren%th and efforts# for those "ho are stron%est and stri)e the most stand often in the direst need&
When the decrees of past eternity are *rou%ht to action# the (eenest eyes are rendered *lind *y Aate& In the ocean# "here no shoreline appears# the s"immer stri)es in )ain&
Specious piety
discourse concerning hypocrisy
Who (no"s that thou art not pled%ed to 8od e)en thou%h thou standest in prayer "ithout a*lution3 'hat prayer is the (ey to hell "hich thou performest only *efore the eyes of men& If the hi%h-road of thy life lead to au%ht *ut 8od# thy prayer mat "ill *e thro"n into the fire& !e "hose heart is %ood and ma(es no out"ard sho" of piety is *etter than one of out"ard sanctity "hose heart is false& = ni%ht-pro"lin% ro**er is *etter than a sinner in the tunic of a saint& <0pect not "a%es from 4mar# 4 son# "hen thou "or(est in the house of Eaid& If in pri)ate I am *ad and mean# of "hat a)ail is it to pose *efore the "orld "ith honor3 !o" much "ill the *a% of hypocrisy "ei%h in the $cales of 7ustice3 'he outside of the hypocriteGs coat is neater than the linin%# for the one is seen and the other is hidden& 5otes:
23- /a(htyar literally means fortunate the play on the "ord is# therefore# o*)ious&
Chapter -
Concerning Content!ent
!e (no"s not 8od nor performs !is "orship "ho is not contented "ith his lot& 6ontentment ma(eth a man rich - tell this to the a)aricious& 4 irresolute one9 /e tran2uil# for %rass %ro"s not upon re)ol)in% stones& Pamper not thy *ody if thou *e a man of sense# for in so doin% dost thou see( thine o"n destruction& 'he "ise ac2uire )irtue# and they that pamper their *odies are de)oid of merit& <atin% and sleepin% is the creed of animals, to adopt it is the manner of fools& !appy is that fortunate "ho# in meditation# prepares for the last 1ourney *y means of the (no"led%e of 8od& 'o him "ho (no"s not the dar(ness from the li%ht# the face of a demon is as that of a !ouri& ?24@ !o" can the falcon fly to the s(y "hen the stone of a)arice is tied to its "in%3 If thou pay less attention to thy food than to "orship thou mayest *ecome an an%el& Airst# culti)ate the 2ualities of a man# then reflect upon the character of an%els& <at in proportion to thy hun%er, ho" can he %i)e praises "hom scarce can *reathe *y reason of his %luttony3 !e "hose stomach is full is )oid of "isdom& 'he prey is entrapped in the snare *ecause of its %reed&
Weepin%# he cried# ;4# my soul9 What remedy is there for oneGs o"n actions3 4ne sei+ed *y a)arice *ecomes the see(er of his o"n misfortunes& =fter this# the *read and onions are %ood enou%h for me&> = *arley loaf procured *y the e0ertions of oneGs o"n arm is *etter than a loaf of flour from the ta*le of the li*eral&>
Sa"ety in retire!ent
Story o" a sheikh 4ho beca!e king
= certain (in% died# and# ha)in% no heir# *e2ueathed the throne to a )ulnera*le shei(h& When the recluse heard the roar the drums of empire# he desired no lon%er the corner of seclusion& !e leads the army to left and ri%ht# and *ecame so stron% and )aliant that he filled the hearts of the *ra)e "ith fear& =fter he had slain a num*er of his enemies some others com*ined to%ether a%ainst him and reduced him to such straits in his fortified to"n that he sent a messa%e to a pious man# sayin%# ;=id me "ith thy prayers# for the s"ord and arro" do not a)ail&> 'he de)otee lau%hed and said# ;Why did he not content himself "ith half a loaf and his )i%ils3 Did not the "ealth-"orshippin% Borach ?2 @ (no" that the treasure of safety lies in the corner of retirement3>
5otes:
24- ;Dar(ness> and ;li%ht> are used metaphorically in the sense of ;falseness> and ;truth&> 25Bha"ara+m is situated to the east of the 6aspian $ea# near the mouth of the 40us& 26- I&e& in this transient and fleetin% "orld& 2 - Borach# the cousin of 5oses and the pro)er*ial miser of the <asterns& 28- I&e& if you possess merit&
Chapter .
Concerning /ducation
'hose "ho turn the reins of their desires from unla"ful thin%s ha)e surpassed Fostam ?29@ and $am ?30@ in )alor& .one is so fearful of the enemy as thou# sla)e of thine o"n passions& 'he earthly *ody is a city# containin% *oth %ood and e)il, thou art the Bin% and Feason is thy "ise minister& In this city# the headstron% men pursue their trades of a)arice and %reed, Fesi%nation and 'emperance are the citi+ens of fame and )irtue, Cust and Wantonness the thie)es and pic(-poc(ets& When the (in% sho"s fa)or to the "ic(ed# ho" can the "ise remain in peace3 'he passions of e)il# en)y# and hatred are inherent in thee as is the *lood of thy )eins& If these thine enemies %ained in stren%th they "ould turn their heads from thy rule and counsel, no resistance do they offer "hen they see the mailed fist of Feason& .i%ht-thie)es and )a%a*onds "ander not in the places "here the patrols %uard& 'he chief "ho punishes not his enemy is *ereft of po"er *y the stren%th of the latter& 5ore on this point I "ill not spea( - a "ord suffices to him "ho puts into practice "hat he reads&
!e that spea(s little thou dost ne)er see ashamed, a %rain of mus( is *etter than a heap of mud& /e"are of the fool "hose )olume of "ords is as that of ten men - a hundred arro"s shot and each one "ide of the tar%et& If thou art "ise# shoot one# and that one strai%ht& -tter not slander *efore a "all - oft may it happen that *ehind are listenin% ears& <nclose thy secrets "ithin the city "alls of thy mind# and *e"are that none may find the %ates of thy city open& = "ise man se"s up his mouth: the candle is *urned *y means of its "ic(&
that I "as handsome3> = little-tal(er has a hi%h reputation& $ilence is di%nity# and the concealer of *lemishes& <0press not in haste the thou%hts of thy mind# for thou canst re)eal them "hen thou "ilt& 'he *easts are silent# and men are endo"ed "ith speech - idle-tal(ers are "orse than the *ests&
Discourse on slander
$pea( no e)il concernin% the %ood or the "ic(ed# for thus thou "ron%est the former and ma(est an enemy of the latter& Bno" that he "ho defames another re)ealeth his o"n faults& If thou spea( e)il of anyone# thou art sinful# e)en thou%h "hat thou sayest *e true&
;'hie)es#> he e0plained# ;li)e *y )irtue of their stren%th and darin%& 'he slanderer sins and reaps nothin%&>
In relation to an a*sent friend# t"o thin%s are unla"ful& 'he first is to s2uander his possession, the second# to spea( e)il of his name& Coo( not for %ood "ords from him "ho mentions the names of men "ith scorn# for *ehind thy *ac( he says those thin%s "hich he said to thee of others& !e only is "ise "ho concerns himself "ith his o"n affairs and is I in indifferent to the "orld&
"ill pray for thy lon% life from fear of me&> =ppro)in% of this e0planation# the (in% increased the di%nities of the )i+ier# "hile no one "as more ill-fated and chan%ed in fortune than the tale-*earer& It is not compati*le "ith reason to (indle *et"een t"o men the fire of strife and *urn oneself in the flames&
Do!estic happiness
Discourse on the training o" sons
If thou desire that thy name should remain# train thy son in (no"led%e and "isdom# for if he possesses not these thou diest o*scure# "ith no one to commemorate thy name& 'each him a handicraft# thou%h thou *e as rich as Borach& Place no hope in the po"er that thou hast - riches may %o from thee& = *a% of sil)er and %old is emptied, the purse of an artisan remains filled& Dost thou not (no" ho" $aadi attained to ran(3 !e 1ourneyed not o)er the plains# nor crossed the seas& In his youth he ser)ed under the yo(e of the learned: 8od %rant him distinction in after-life& It is not lon% *efore he "ho ser)ed o*tains command& = *oy "ho suffers not at the hands of his teacher suffers at the hands of 'ime& 5a(e thy son %ood and independent# so that he may not *e *eholden to any man&
Protect him from e)il associates and pity him not if he *rin%s ruin and destruction upon himself# for it is *etter that a )icious son should die *efore his father&
$ee ho" from childhood to old a%e he has endo"ed thee "ith a splendid ro*e9 !e made thee pure, therefore# *e pure - un"orthy it is to die impure *y sin& Cet not the dust remain upon the mirror# for once %ro"n dull it ne)er a%ain "ill polish& When thou dosts see( to %ain the means of life# rely not upon the stren%th of thine o"n arms& 4 self "orshipper9 Why loo(est thou not to 8od# Who %i)eth po"er to thy hand3 If *y thy stri)in% thou dost au%ht of %ood# ta(e not the credit to thyself, (no" it to *e *y the %race of 8od& 'hou standest not *y thine o"n stren%th - from the In)isi*le art thou sustained each moment&
;inal a""ection
!other6s 4arning to her son
$orro"ed at the conduct of her son# "ho %a)e no ear to her ad)ice# a "oman *rou%ht to him the cradle in "hich he once slept and said# ;4 "ea( in lo)e and for%etful of the past9 Wast thou not a "eepin% and helpless child# for "hom throu%h many ni%hts I sacrificed my sleep3 'hou hadst not then the stren%th thou hast today, thou couldst not "ard the flies from thy *ody& = tiny insect %a)e thee pain, today thou e0celelst amidst the stron%& In the %ra)e "ilt thou a%ain *e thus# una*le to repelthe onslau%hts of an ant& !o" # "hen the %ra)e "orms eat the marro" of thy *rain# "ilt thou reli%ht the Camp of Intellect3 'hou art as a *lind man "ho seeth not the "ay# and (no"eth not that a "ell lies in his path& If thou *e %rateful for thy si%ht# Gtis "ell, if not# then surely art thou *lind& 'hy tutor %a)e thee not the po"er of "isdom, *y 8od "as it implanted in thy nature& !ad !e "ithheld this %ift from thee# truth "ould ha)e appeared to thee as falsehood&>
the date tree and the date tree from a seed& Aor thee are the sun and moon and the Pleides, they are as lanterns upon the roof of thy house& !e *rin%eth rose from the thorn and mus( from a pod, %old from the mine and %reen lea)es from a "ithered stic(& With !is o"n hands did !e paint thine eye and eye*ro"s - one cannot lea)e oneGs *osom friends to stran%ers& 4mnipotent is !e# nourishin% the delicate "ith !is many *ounties& Fender than(s each moment from they heart# for %ratitude is not the "or( of the ton%ue alone& 4 8od# my heart is *lood# mine eyes are sore "hen I *ehold thy indescri*a*le %ifts&
throu%h his ill-luc( it ne)er reached his shoulders& 'he (in% slept throu%h the ni%ht de)oid of care# *ut "hat said the chief "atchman to him in the mornin%3 Perhaps thou didsts for%et that Gluc(y manG "hen thy hand "as upon the *osom of thy sla)e& /y thee the ni%ht "as spent in tran2uillity and 1oy, "hat (no"est thou ho" the ni%ht has %one "ith us3> 'hey "ith the cara)an *end their heads o)er the cauldron, "hat care they for them that toil on foot throu%h the desert sand3 'arry# 4 acti)e youths# for old and fee*le men are "ith the cara)an& Well hast thou slept in the litter "hile the dri)er held the nose-strin% of the camel& What of the desert and mountains3 What of the stones and the sand3 =s( ho" it fares "ith them that la% *ehind&
of the Eend =)ista9 I# too# am pleased "ith the fi%ure of this idol& Its appearance "as stran%e in my si%ht - of its nature I ha)e no (no"led%e& 4nly recently ha)e I arri)ed in this place# and a stran%er can seldom distin%uish *et"een the e)il and the %ood& De)otion *y imitation is supersti-tion# "hat reality is there in the form of this idol# for I am foremost amon% the "orshippers3> 'he face of the 5a%i %lo"ed "ith 1oy as he said# ;'hy 2uestion is reasona*le and thy actions are %ood - "hoe)er see(s for proofs arri)es at his destination& Whom *ut this idol can raise his hands to 8od3 If thou "ilt# tarry here toni%ht# so that tomorro" the mystery of this may *ecome (no"n to thee&> 'he ni%ht "as as lon% as the Day of 7ud%ment, the fire-"orshippers around me prayed "ithout a*lution& In the mornin%# they came a%ain into the temple# and I "as sic( "ith an%er and confused from lac( of sleep& $uddenly# the idol raised its arm, and later# "hen the cro"d had left# the 5a%i loo(ed smilin%ly to"ards me sayin%: ;I (no" that no" thou "ilt ha)e no dou*ts, truth has *ecome manifest# falsehood remaineth not&> $eein% his i%norance thus increased# I shed hypocritical tears and cried# ;I am sorry for "hat I said&> =t the si%ht of my tears the hearts of the infidels "ere softened, they ran to"ards me in ser)ice and led me *y the arms to the i)ory idol# "hich "as seated upon a %olden chair set on a throne of tea(& I (issed the hand of the little %od - curses upon it and upon its "orshippers9 Aor a fe" days I posed as an infidel and discussed the Eend =)ista# li(e a 5a%i& When I *ecame a %uardian of the temple# my 1oy "as such that I could scarce control my feelin%s& 4ne ni%ht# I closed fast the door of the temple and searchin%# disco)ered a screen of the 1e"els and %old that "ent from the top of the throne to the *ottom& /ehind this screen the 5a%i hi%h priest "as de)outly en%a%ed "ith the end of a rope in his hand& 'hen did it *ecome (no"n to me that "hen the rope "as pulled the idol of necessity raised its arm& 8reatly confused at my presence# the 5a%i ran a"ay in haste& I follo"ed in hot pursuit and thre" him headlon% do"n a "ell# for I (ne" that# if he remained ali)e# he "ould see( to shed my *lood& When the purpose of an e)il man is re)ealed to thee# pull him up *y the roots# other"ise "ill he not desire that thou shouldst li)e& 'he alarm *ein% raised# I fled 2uic(ly from the land& When thou settest fire to a forest of canes# *e"are of the ti%ers# if thou art "ise& Whene)er I supplicate at the shrine of the Bno"er of $ecrets# the Indian puppet comes into my recollection - it thro"s dust on the pride of mine eyes& I (no" that I raise my hand# *ut not *y )irtue of mine o"n stren%th& 5en of sanctity stretch not out their hands themsel)es the Aates in)isi*ly pull the strin%s& 5otes:
stoc( at a loss&
man said: ;4 foolish soul9 !ear(en to my counsel& Why hast thou attached thy mind to that %old *ric( "hen one day they "ill ma(e *ric(s from thy dust3 'he mouth of a co)etous man is too "idely open that it can *e closed a%ain *y one morsel& 'a(e# 4 *ase man# thy hand from off that *ric(# for the ri)er of thy a)arice cannot *e damned up "ith a *ric(& $o ne%li%ent hast thou *een in the thou%ht of %ain and riches that the stoc( of thy life has *ecome trodden underfoot& 'he dust of lust has *linded the eyes of thy reason - the simoom of desire has *urned the har)est of thy life&> Wipe the antimony of ne%lect from off thine eyes# for tomorro" "ilt thou *e reduced to antimony under the dust& 'hy life is a *ird# and its name is /reath& When the *ird has flo"n from its ca%e it cometh not *ac( to capti)ity& /e "atchful for the "orld lasts *ut a moment# and a moment spent "ith "isdom is *etter than an a%e "ith folly& Why fi0 "e thus our minds upon this cara)anserai3 4ur friends ha)e departed and "e are on the road& =fter us# the same flo"ers "ill *loom in the %arden# to%ether "ill friends still sit& When thou comest to $hira+# ?3 @ dost thou not cleanse thyself from the dust of the road3 $oon# 4 thou polluted "ith the dust of sin# "ilt thou 1ourney to a stran%e city& Weep# and "ash "ith thy tears thy impurities a"ay&
pieces& When the man "as on the point of death a sa%e passed *y and said# ;Didst thou not (no" that thou "ouldst suffer in1ury from an enemy thus carefully reared3> !o" can "e raise our heads from shame "hen "e ate at peace "ith $atan and at "ar "ith 8od3 'hy friend re%ards thee not "hen thou turnest thy face to"ards the enemy& !e "ho li)es in the house of an enemy deems ri%ht estran%ement from a friend&
concernin% it& 4ne ni%ht# he *ecame into0icated and li%hted a fire# "hich destroyed his har)est& 'he ne0t day he sat do"n to %lean the ears of corn# *ut not a sin%le %rain remained in his possession& $eein% him thus afflicted# someone remar(ed# ;If thou didst not "ish for this misfortune# thou shouldst not in folly ha)e *urned thy har)est&> 'hou# "hose years ha)e *een "asted in ini2uity# art he "ho *urns the har)est of his life& Do no so# 4 my life9 $o" the seeds of reli%ion and 1ustice# and thro" not to the "inds the har)est of a %ood name& Bnoc( at the door of for%i)eness *efore thy punishment arri)es# for lamentation *eneath the lash is of no a)ail&
discourse on repentance
!e "ho supplicates the Deity *y ni%ht "ill not *e shamed on the Day of 7ud%ment& If thou art "ise# pray for for%i)eness in the ni%ht for the sins that thou hast committed in the day& What is thy fear if thou hast made thy peace "ith 8od3 !e closes not the door of for%i)eness upon them that supplicate !im& If thou art a ser)ant of 8od# raise thy hands in prayer and if thou *e ashamed# "eep in sorro"& .o one has stood upon !is threshold "hose sins the tears of repentance ha)e not "ashed a"ay& 5otes:
33& I&e& <n%a%e in %ood "or(s "hile you still ha)e time& 34& 5ohammed commanded that sand should *e used for a*lution *efore prayer "hen "ater "as uno*taina*le# as is more often than not the case in the desert& 35& .ame of a )illa%e on the road to 5ecca& 36& 'he an%el "ho e0amines the dead in their %ra)es& 3 & I&e& your nati)e land&
Chapter 10
Concerning Prayer
6ome# let us raise our hands in prayer# for tomorro" they "ill *e po"erless in the dust& 'hin( not that he "ho supplicates *efore the Door of 5ercy# "hich is ne)er shut# "ill turn a"ay in hopelessness& 4# Cord# re%ard us "ith compassion# for sin has entered amon% 'hy ser)ants&
4# %racious 8od9 /y thy *ounty ha)e "e *een sustained, to 'hy %ifts and lo)in% (indness ha)e "e *ecome ha*ituated& $ince in this life 'hou has enno*led us a*o)e all thin%s created# hope of similar %lory ha)e "e in the "orld to come& 4# 8od# humiliate me not *y reason of 'hy %reatness, ma(e me not ashamed *y reasons of my sins& Cet no one pre)ail o)er me# for it is *etter that I should suffer punishment from 'hy hand& Cet it suffice that I am ashamed in 'hy presence, ma(e me not ashamed *efore my fello" men& If the shado" of 'hy mercy fall upon me# mean is the di%nity of the s(y *efore mine eyes& If 'hou %i)e to me a cro"n# I "ill raise my head, e0alt me# so that no one may caste do"n&
ha)e I "orshipped thee for years& !elp me to fulfill my "ishes# or I "ill as( them of 8od&> While his face "as yet *esmeared "ith the dust of the idolGs feet# the =lmi%hty fulfilled his o*1ect& = pious man "as astonished "hen he heard this& 'hen did a )oice from hea)en spea( into his ear# sayin%# ;'his old man prayed *efore the idol# *ut his prayer "as not heard& If at the shrine of 8od he "ere li(e"ise spurned# "hat difference "ould there *e *et"een an idol and !im Who is eternal3>
- 7he /nd -