Preface
remain in the scabbard, and the tongue of Sa'di in his palate."
- O intelligent man, what is the tongue in the mouth?
- It is the key to the treasure-door of a virtuous man;
- When the door is closed how can one know
- Whether he is a seller of jewels or a hawker?
Although intelligent men consider silence civil, it is better for thee to speak at the proper time. Two things betoken levity of intellect: To remain mute when it is proper to speak, and to talk when silence is required.
In short, I had not the firmness to restrain my tongue from speaking to him, and did not consider it polite to turn away my face from his conversation; he being a congenial friend and sincerely affectionate. When thou fightest with anyone, consider whether thou wilt have to flee from him or he from thee.
I was under the necessity of speaking, and then went out by way of diversion in the vernal season, when the traces of severe cold had disappeared, and the time of the dominion of roses had arrived:
- Green garments were upon the trees,
- Like holiday robes on contented persons.
- On the first of the month Ardibihesht Jellâli[1]
- The bulbuls[2] were singing on the pulpits of branches,
- Upon the roses pearls of dew had fallen,
- Resembling perspiration on an angry sweetheart's cheek.
I happened to spend the night in a garden with one of my friends, and we found it to be a pleasant, cheerful place with heart-ravishing, entangled trees; its ground seemed to be paved
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