hand tremble at the account?[1] Straightness is the means of acceptance with God; I saw no one lost on the straight road."
Sages have said: Four persons are for life find read of four persons; a robber of the Sultân, a thief of the watchman, an adulterer of an informer, and a harlot of the Muhtasib[2]; but what has he to fear whose account [of the conscience] is clear? Be not extravagant when in office, if thou desirest on thy removal to see thy foes embarrassed [for imputations against thee]; be thou pure, O brother, and in fear of no one; washermen beat [only] impure garments against stones.
I said, "The story of that fox resembles thy case who was by some persons seen fleeing with much trouble, and asked for the cause of his fear. He replied: 'I have heard that camels are being forced into the service!' They said: 'O fool! What connection hast thou with a camel, and what resemblance does the latter bear to thee?' The fox rejoined: 'Hush! If the envious malevolently say that I am a camel, and I am caught, who will care to release me or investigate my case? Till the antidote is brought from Erâq, the snake-bitten person dies.'
"Thou art a very excellent and honest man, but enemies sit in ambush, and competitors in every corner; if they describe thy character in a contrary manner, thou wouldst be called upon to give explanations to the Pâdshâh and incur reproof. Who would on that occasion venture to say anything? Accordingly I am of opinion that thou shouldst retire to the domain of contentment and abandon aspirations to dominion.[3] Wise
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