VIII
ON RULES FOR CONDUCT
OF LIFE
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“IF THOU WILT LISTEN TO ADVICE!”
MAXIM I
Property is for the comfort of life, not for the accumulation of wealth. A sage, having been asked who is lucky and who is not, replied: "He is lucky who has eaten and sowed, but he is unlucky who has died and not enjoyed."
Pray not for the Nobody who has done nothing, who spent his life in accumulating property, but has not enjoyed it.
Moses, upon whom be peace, thus advised Qarûn[1]: 'Do thou good as Allah has done unto thee.' But he would not listen, and thou hast heard of his end.
Who has not accumulated good with dirhems and dinârs has staked his end upon his dirhems and dinârs. If thou desirest to profit by riches of the world, be liberal to mankind, as God has been liberal to thee.
The Arab says: 'Be liberal without imposing obligations, and verily the profit will return to thee.'
Wherever the tree of beneficence has taken root, its tallness and branches pass beyond the sky; if thou art desirous to eat the fruit thereof, do not put a saw to its foot by imposing obligations.
Thank God that thou hast been divinely aided and not excluded from his gifts and bounty; think not thou conferest an obligation on the Sultân by serving him, but be obliged to him for having kept thee in his service.
MAXIM II
Two men took useless trouble and strove without any profit, when one of them accumulated property without enjoying it, and the other learnt without practising [what he had learnt].
However much science thou mayest acquire, thou art ignorant when there is no practice in thee. Neither deeply learned nor a scholar will a quadruped loaded with some books be, what information or knowledge does the silly beast possess, whether it is carrying a load of wood or of books?
MAXIM III
Knowledge is [to be applied] for the cherishing of religion, not for amassing wealth. Who sold [or misused] abstinence, knowledge, and piety filled a granary, but burnt it clean away.
MAXIM IV
A learned man who is not abstinent resembles a torch-bearer, who guides others, but does not guide himself. Who has spent a profitless life bought nothing, and threw away his gold.
MAXIM V
The country is adorned by intelligent, and the religion by virtuous, men. Pâdshâhs stand more in need of the advice of intelligent men than intelligent men of the proximity of Pâdshâhs.
If thou wilt listen to advice, Pâdshâh! There is none better in all books than this: 'Entrust a business to an intelligent man, although it may not be his occupation.'
MAXIM VI
Three things cannot subsist without three things: Property without trade, science without controversy, and a country without punishment.
Speak sometimes in a friendly, conciliatory, manly way, perhaps thou wilt ensnare a heart with the lasso; sometimes speak in anger; for a hundred jars of sugar will on occasion not have the effect of one dose of colocynth.
MAXIM VII
To have mercy upon the bad is to injure the good; to pardon tyrants is to do violence to Dervishes.
If thou associatest and art friendly with a wretch, he will commit sin with thy wealth, and make thee his partner.
MAXIM VIII
The amity of princes and the sweet voice of children are not to be trusted, because the former is changed by fancy, and the latter in one sleep [or in the course of one night].
Give not thy heart to a sweetheart of a thousand lovers, and if thou givest it, thou givest that heart for separation.
MAXIM IX
Confide not to thy friend every secret thou possessest; how knowest thou that he will not some time become thy foe? Inflict not every injury thou canst upon an enemy, because it is possible that one day he may become thy friend.
MAXIM X
Reveal not thy secret to any man although he may be trustworthy, because no one can keep thy secret better than thyself.[2]
Silence is preferable than to tell thy mind to anyone, saying what is to remain unsaid. O simpleton ! Stop the source of the spring; when it becomes full, the brook cannot be stopped.
MAXIM XI
A weak foe, who professes submission and shows friendship, has no other object than to become a strong enemy. It has been said that as the friendship of friends is unreliable, what trust can be put in the flattery of enemies?
MAXIM XII
Who despises an insignificant enemy resembles him who is careless about fire. Extinguish it to-day, while it may be quenched, because when fire is high, it burns the world. Allow not the bow to be spanned by a foe, because an arrow may pierce [thee].
MAXIM XIII
Speak. So between two enemies that thou mayest not be put to shame if they become friends.
Between two men contention is like fire, the ill-starred back-biter being the wood-carrier; when both of them become friends again he will among them be unhappy and ashamed. To kindle fire between two men is not wise, but is to burn oneself therein.
Converse in whispers with thy friends, lest thy sanguinary foe may hear thee; take care of what thou sayest in front of a wall, because an ear may be behind the wall.
MAXIM XIV
Whoever makes peace with the enemies of his friends greatly injures his friends.
Wash thy hands, O wise man, from a friend
Who is sitting together with thy foes.
MAXIM XV
When thou art uncertain in transacting an affair, select that portion of it which will entail no danger to thee.
Speak not harshly to a man of gentle speech; seek not to fight with him who knocks at the door of peace.
MAXIM XVI
As long as an affair can be arranged with gold, it is not proper to endanger life. When the hand is foiled in every stratagem it is licit to put the hand to the sword.
MAXIM XVII
Do not pity the weakness of a foe, because when he gains Strength he will not spare thee. Boast not of thy moustaches when thou seest thy foe is weak; there is marrow in every bone, a man in every coat.
MAXIM XVIII
Whoever slays a bad fellow saves mankind from a calamity and him from the wrath of God.
Condonation is laudable, but nevertheless apply no salve to the wound of an oppressor of the people; He who had mercy upon a serpent knew not that it was an injury to the sons of Adam.
MAXIM XIX
It is a mistake to accept advice from an enemy, but permissible to hear it; and to act contrary to it is perfectly correct.
Be cautious of what a foe tells thee to do, lest thou strike thy knee with the hand of pain; if he points thy way to the right like an arrow, deflect therefrom and take that to the left hand.
MAXIM XX
Wrath beyond measure produces estrangement, and untimely kindness destroys authority. Be neither so harsh as to disgust the people with thee, nor so mild as to embolden them.
Severity and mildness together are best, like a bleeder, who is a surgeon and also applies a salve. A wise man uses neither severity to excess nor mildness; for it lessens his authority; he neither exalts himself too much nor exposes himself at once to contempt.
A youth said to his father: "O wise man! Give me for instruction one advice like an aged person."
He said: "Be kind, but not to such a degree that a sharp-toothed wolf may become audacious."
MAXIM XXI
May that prince never govern a kingdom who is not an obedient slave to God.
MAXIM XXII
It is incumbent upon a Pâdshâh to give way to anger towards his slaves only so far as to retain the confidence of his friends. The fire of anger first burns him who has given cause for it, and afterwards the flame may or may not reach the foe.
It is not proper for sons of Adam, born of earth, to inflate their heads with pride, violence, and wind. Thou who displayest so much heat and obstinacy must be, I think, not of earth, but of fire.
I visited a hermit in the country of Bilqân, and requested him to purge me of ignorance by instruction.
He replied: "Be patient like earth, O lawyer! Or else, bury under the earth all thy learning."
MAXIM XXIII
An ill-humoured man is captive in the hands of a foe, from the grasp of whose punishment he cannot be delivered wherever he may go. If from the hand of calamity an ill-natured man escapes into the sky, the evil disposition of his own nature retains him in calamity.
MAXIM XXIV
When thou perceivest that discord is in the army of the foe, be thou at ease; but if they are united, be apprehensive of thy own distress.
Go and sit in repose with thy friends when thou seest war among the enemies; but if thou perceivest that they all agree, span thy bow, and carry stones upon the rampart.
MAXIM XXV
When all the artifices of an enemy have failed he shakes the chain of friendship, and thereon performs acts of friendship which no enemy is able to do.
MAXIM XXVI
Strike the head of a serpent with the hand of a foe, because one of two advantages will result: If the enemy succeeds thou hast killed the snake, and if the latter, thou hast been delivered from a foe.
If thou art aware of news which will grieve a heart, remain silent that others may convey it.
Nightingale! Bring tidings of spring,
Leave bad news to the owl.
MAXIM XXVII
Give not information to a Pâdshâh of the treachery of anyone, unless thou art sure he will accept it, else thou wilt only be preparing thy own destruction.
Prepare to speak only when thy words are likely to have effect. Speech is a perfection in the soul of man, but do not ruin thyself by speaking.
MAXIM XXVIII
Whoever gives advice to a self-willed man stands himself in need of advice.
MAXIM XXIX
Swallow not the deception of a foe, purchase not conceit from a panegyrist; the one has laid out a snare for provisions, and the other has opened the jaws[3] of covetousness.
MAXIM XXX
A fool is pleased by flattery [which is deceitful], like the inflated heel of a corpse that has the appearance of fatness. Take care not to listen to the voice of a flatterer, who expects cheaply to derive profit from thee; if one day thou failest to satisfy his wishes he enumerates two hundred faults of thine.
MAXIM XXXI
Unless an orator's defects are mentioned by someone, his good points will not be praised.
Be not proud of the beauty of thy speech, of the approbation of an ignoramus, and of thy own opinion.
MAXIM XXXII
Everyone thinks himself perfect in intellect, and his child in beauty.
A Jew was debating with a Mussalmân till I shook with laughter at their dispute: the Moslem said in anger: "If this deed of mine is not correct, may God cause me to die a Jew."
The Jew said: "I swear by the Pentateuch that if my oath is false, I shall die a Moslem like thee."
Should wisdom disappear from the surface of the earth, still no one will acknowledge his own ignorance.
MAXIM XXXIII
Ten men eat at a table, but two dogs will contend for one piece of carrion. A greedy person will still be hungry with the whole world [at his disposal], whilst a contented man will be satisfied with one bread. Wise men have said that poverty with content is better than wealth, and not abundance.
Narrow intestines may be filled with dry bread; but the wealth of the surface of the world will not fill a greedy eye.
When the term of my father's life had come to an end he gave me this one advice and passed away: Lust is fire, abstain therefrom; make not the fire of hell sharp for thee. In that fire the burning thou wilt not be able to bear; quench this fire with water to-day.
MAXIM XXXIV
Whoever does no good in the time of [his] ability will see distress in the time of [his] inability.
No one is more unlucky than an oppressor of men, because in the day of calamity no one is his friend.
MAXIM XXXV
Life is in the keeping of a single breath, and the world is an existence between two annihilations.[4] Those who sell the religion of the world are asses; they sell Joseph, but what do they buy?[5] 'Did I not command you, O sons of Adam, that ye should not worship Satan.'[6]
On the word of a foe thou hast broken faith with a friend; see from whom thou hast cut thyself off, and to whom united.
MAXIM XXXVI
Satan cannot conquer the righteous, and the Sultân the poor.
Lend nothing to a prayerless man although his mouth may gasp from penury; because he who neglects the commands of God will also not care for what he may be indebted to thee.
MAXIM XXXVII
Whatever takes place quickly is not permanent.
I have heard that eastern loam is made
In forty days into a porcelain cup;
A hundred are daily made in Baghdad,
Hence thou seest also their price [is vile].
A little fowl issues from the egg and seeks food, whilst man's progeny has no knowledge, sense, or discernment; nevertheless, the former attains nothing when grown up, whilst the latter surpasses all beings in dignity and excellence. Glass is everywhere, and therefore of no account; but a ruby difficult to get, and therefore precious.
MAXIM XXXVIII
Affairs succeed by patience, and a hasty man fails.
I saw with my eyes in the desert that a slow man overtook a fast one. A galloping horse, fleet like the wind, fell back whilst the camel-man continued slowly his progress.
MAXIM XXXIX
Nothing is better for an ignorant man than silence, and if he were to consider it to be suitable, he would not be ignorant.
If thou possessest not the perfection of excellence, it is best to keep thy tongue within thy mouth. Disgrace is brought on a man by his tongue. A walnut having no kernel will be light.
A fool was trying to teach a donkey, spending all his time and efforts on the task. A sage observed: "O ignorant man, what sayest thou? Fear blame from the censorious in this vain attempt; a brute cannot learn speech from thee; learn thou silence from a brute. Who does not reflect what he is to answer will mostly speak improperly. Come! Either arrange thy words like a wise man, or remain sitting silent like a brute."
MAXIM XL
Whenever a man disputes with one who is more learned than himself to make people know of his learning, they will know that he is ignorant. If one better than thyself begins to speak, although thou mayest know better, contradict him not.
MAXIM XLI
Whoever associates with bad people will see no good. If an angel associates with a demon he will learn from him fear, fraud, and hypocrisy. Of the wicked thou canst learn only wickedness; a wolf will not take to sewing jackets.
MAXIM XLII
Reveal not the secret faults of men, because thou wilt put them to shame, and wilt forfeit thy own confidence [i.e. people will not confide or trust in thee].
MAXIM XLIII
Who acquires science and docs not practise it resembles him who possesses an ox but does not [use him to plough or to] sow seed.
MAXIM XLIV
From a body without a heart obedience does not arise, and a husk without a kernel is no stock-in-trade.
Not everyone who is brisk in dispute is correct in business.
Many a stature concealed by a shect, if revealed, appears to be the mother of one's mother.
MAXIM XLV
If every night were to be the night of Qadr,[7] the night of Qadr would be without qadr.
If all stones were rubies of Badakhshân, the price of rubies and stones would be the same.
MAXIM XLVI
Not everyone who is handsome in form possesses a good character; the qualities are inside, not upon the skin.
It is possible in one day to know from a man's qualities what degree of science he has reached; be, however, not sure of his mind, nor deceived; a wicked spirit is not detected sometimes for years.
MAXIM XLVII
Who quarrels with great men sheds his own blood.
One who thinks that he is great is truly said to be squinting.[8]
Thou wilt soon see thy forehead broken, if thou buttest it in play against a ram.
MAXIM XLVIII
To strike one's fist on a lion, and to grasp [the sharp edge of] a sword with the hand is not the part of an intelligent man.
Do not fight or try thy strength with a furious man; hide thy hands in thy arm-pits to avoid his finger-nails.
MAXIM XLIX
A weak man trying to show his prowess off against a strong one only aids his foe to encompass his own destruction.
What strength has one brought up in the shade to go against champions in a fight? A man with weak arms, in his folly throws his fist upon a man with iron claws.
MAXIM L
Whoever does not listen to advice will have occasion to hear reproof.
If admonition enters not thy ear, be silent when I blame thee.
MAXIM LI
MEN void of accomplishments cannot behold those who possess some without barking like the curs of the bazar on seeing a hunting-dog, but dare not come forward; that is to say, when a base fellow is unable to vie with an accomplished man he sets about slandering him according to his own wickedness. The envious, mean fellow will certainly slander, whose tongue of speech is dumb when face to face.
MAXIM LII
If there were no craving of the stomach, no bird would enter the snare of the fowler; nay, he would not even set the snare.
MAXIM LIII
Sages eat slow, devotees half satisfy their appetite, recluses only eat to preserve life, youths until the dishes are removed, old men till they begin to perspire, but Qalandars[9] till no room remains in the bowels for drawing breath, and no food on the table for anybody.
MAXIM LIV
To consult women brings on ruin, and to be liberal to rebellious men, crime.
To have mercy on sharp-toothed tigers is to be tyrannical towards sheep.
MAXIM LV
Who has power over his foe, and does not slay him, is his own enemy.
With a stone in the hand, and a snake on a stone, it is folly to consider and to delay.
Others, however, enounce a contrary opinion, and say that it is preferable to respite captives, because the option of killing or not killing remains; but if they be slain without delay, it is possible that some advantage may be lost, the like of which cannot be again obtained.
It is quite easy to deprive a man of life; when he is slain he cannot be resuscitated again. It is a condition of wisdom in the archer to be patient, because when the arrow leaves the bow it returns no more.
MAXIM LVI
When a sage comes in contact with fools, he must not expect to be honoured, and if an ignorant man overcomes a sage in an oratorical contest, it is no wonder, because [even] a stone breaks a jewel.
What wonder is there that the song of a nightingale ceases when imprisoned with a crow, or that a virtuous man under the tyranny of vagabonds feels affliction in his heart and is irate? Although a base stone may break a golden vase, the price of the Stone is not enhanced, nor of the gold lost.
MAXIM LVII
Be not astonished when a wise man ceases to speak in company of vile persons, since the melody of a harp cannot overcome the noise of a drum, and the perfume of ambergris must succumb to the stench of rotten garlick.
A blatant ignoramus [proudly] lifted his neck, because he had overcome a scholar by his impudence; knowest thou not that the Hejâzi musical tune succumbs to the roar of the drum of war?
MAXIM LVIII
Even after falling into mud a jewel retains its costliness, and dust, although it may rise into the sky, is as contemptible as before. Capacity [in a man] without education is deplorable, and education [to a man] without capacity is thrown away. Ashes are of high origin, because the nature of fire is superior; but as they have no value of their own, they are similar to earth, and the price of sugar arises not from the cane, but from its own quality.
The land of Canaan having no natural excellence, the birth of a prophet therein could not enhance its worth. Display thy virtue if thou hast any; not thy origin; the rose is the offspring of thorns, and Abraham of Azer.
MAXIM LIX
Musk is known by its perfume, and not by what the druggist says. A scholar is silent like the perfumer's casket, but displays accomplishments, whilst an ignoramus is loud-voiced, and intrinsically empty like a war-drum.
A learned man among blockheads (so says the parable of our friends) is like a sweetheart among the blind, or a Qurân among unbelievers.[10]
MAXIM LX
A friend whom people have been cherishing during a lifetime, they must not suddenly insult.
It takes a stone many a year to become a ruby; beware not to break it in a moment with a stone!
MAXIM LXI
Intellect may become captive to lust, like a weak man in the hands of an artful woman.
Bid farewell to pleasure in a house where the shouting of a woman is loud.
MAXIM LXII
A design without strength [to execute it] is fraud and deception, and [application of] Strength without a design is ignorance and lunacy.
Discernment is necessary. Arrangement and intellect, then a realm; for realm and wealth with an ignorant man are weapons against himself.
MAXIM LXIII
A liberal man who eats and bestows is better than a devotee who fasts and hoards.
MAXIM LXIV
Who has renounced appetites for the sake of approbation by men, has fallen from licit into illicit appetites.
A devotee who sits in a corner not for God's sake is helpless; what can he see in a dark mirror? Little by little becomes much, and drop by drop will be a torrent; that is to say, he who has no power gathers small stones that he may at the proper opportunity annihilate the pride of his foe.
Drop upon drop collected will make a river; rivers upon rivers collected will make a sea.
Little and little together will become much; the granary is but grain upon grain.
MAXIM LXV
A scholar is not meekly to overlook the folly of a common person, because thus both parties are injured; the dignity of the former being lessened, and the ignorance of the latter confirmed.
Speak gracefully and kindly to a low fellow; his pride and obstinacy will augment.
MAXIM LXVI
Transgression by whomsoever committed is blamable, but more so in learned men, because learning is a weapon for combating Satan, and when the possessor of a weapon is made prisoner, his shame will be greater.
It is better to be an ignorant, poor fellow than a learned man who is not abstemious; because the former loses the way by his blindness, while the latter falls into a well with both eyes open.
MAXIM LXVII
Whose bread is not eaten by others while he is alive, he will not be remembered when he is dead. A [destitute] widow knows the delight of grapes, and not the lord of fruits. Joseph the just—salutation to him—never ate to satiety in the Egyptian dearth, for fear he might forget the hungry people.
How can he who lives in comfort and abundance know what the state of the famished is? He is aware of the condition of the poor who has himself fallen into a state of distress.
O thou who art riding a fleet horse, consider that the poor, thorn-carrying ass is in water and mud. Ask not for fire from thy poor neighbour's house, because what passes out of his window is the smoke of his heart.
MAXIM LXVIII
Ask not a Dervish in poor circumstances, and in the distress of a year of famine, how he feels, unless thou art ready to apply a salve to his wound, or to provide him with a maintenance.
When thou seest an ass fallen in mud with his load, have mercy in thy heart, and Step not on his head. But when thou hast gone and asked him how he fell, gird thy loins and take hold of his tail like a man!
MAXIM LXIX
Two things are [unattainable and] contrary to reason: To enjoy more than is decreed, and to die before the time appointed [by fate].
Fate will not change by a thousand laments and sighs, by thanks or complaints, issuing from the mouth. The angel appointed over the treasures of wind cares not if the lamp of a widow dies.
MAXIM LXX
O thou asker of food! Sit, for thou wilt eat; and, O thou asked by Death, run not, for thou wilt not save thy life. Whether thou strivest for a maintenance or not, God the Most High and Glorious will send it to thee! And if thou rushest into the jaw of a lion or tiger, they will not devour thee, unless on the day decreed.
MAXIM LXXI
What is not placed cannot be reached by the hand, and whatever is placed will be reached wherever it is. Hast thou heard that Alexander went into the darkness, and after all his efforts could not taste the water of immortality?
MAXIM LXXII
A rich profligate is a lump of earth gilded, and a pious Dervish is a sweetheart besmeared with earth. he latter is [like] the patched garment of Moses, and the former is [like] the bejewelled beard of Pharao.[11] Nevertheless good men retain a cheerful countenance in adversity, whilst the rich droop their heads [even] in prosperity.
Who possesses wealth and dignity, but therewith succours not those whose minds are distressed, inform him that no kind of wealth and dignity will he enjoy in the mansion of the next world.
MAXIM LXXIII
An envious man is avaricious with the wealth of God, and hates the guiltless as foes.
I saw a crack-brained little man
Reviling a possessor of dignity.
Who replied: "O fellow ! If thou art unlucky,
What guilt is there in lucky men?"
Forbear to wish evil to an envious man, because the ill-starred fellow is an evil to himself; what needest thou to show enmity to him who has such a foe on the nape of his neck?
MAXIM LXXIV
A disciple without intention is a lover without money; a traveller without knowledge is a bird without wings; a scholar without practice is a tree without fruit; and a devotee without science is a house without a door. The Quran was revealed for the acquisition of a good character, not for chanting written chapters. A pious, unlettered man [is like one who] travels on foot, whilst a negligent scholar is [like] a sleeping rider. A sinner who lifts his hands [in supplication] is better than a devotee who keeps them [proudly] on his head.
A good-humoured and pleasant military officer is superior to a theologian who injures men.
MAXIM LXXV
One being asked what a learned man without practice resembled, replied: "A bee without honey."
Say to the rude and unkind bee, "At least forbear to sting, if thou givest no honey."
MAXIM LXXVI
A man without virility is a woman, and an avaricious devotee is a highway robber.
O thou, who hast put on a white robe for a show, to be approved of men, whilst the book [of thy acts] is black. The hand is to be restrained from the world, no matter whether the sleeve be short or long.
MAXIM LXXVII
Regret will not leave the hearts of two persons, and their feet of contention will not emerge from the mire: a merchant with a wrecked ship, and a youth sitting with Qalandars.
Dervishes will consider it licit to shed thy blood, if they can have no access to thy property. Either associate not with a friend who dons the blue garb[12] or bid farewell to all thy property[13]; either make no friends with elephant-keepers or build a house suitable for elephants.
MAXIM LXXVIII
Although a Sultân's garment of honour is dear, yet one's own old robe is more dear; and though the food of a great man may be delicious, the broken crumbs of one's own sack are more delicious.
Vinegar by one's own labour, and vegetables, are better than bread received as alms, and veal.
MAXIM LXXIX
It is contrary to what is proper, and against the opinion of sages, to partake of medicine by guess, and to go after a caravan without seeing the road. The Imâm Murshid Muhammad Ghazâli[14]—upon whom be the mercy of Allah—having been asked in what manner he had attained such a degree of knowledge, replied: "By not being ashamed to ask about things I did not know."
The hope of recovery is according to reason, that he should feel thy pulse who knows [thy] nature. Ask what thou knowest not; for the trouble of asking will indicate to thee the way to the dignity of knowledge.
MAXIM LXXX
Whatever thou perceivest will become known to thee [in due course of time]; make no haste in asking for it, else the awe of thy dignity will be lessened.
When Loqmân saw that in the hands of David all iron became by miracle [soft like] wax, he asked not: "What art thou doing?" Because he knew he would learn it without asking.
MAXIM LXXXI
One of the requirements for [becoming acceptable to] society is to attend to the affairs of thy household, and also at the house of God.
Tell thy tale according to thy hearer's temper, if thou knowest him to be biased to thee. Every wise man who sits with Mejnûn speaks of nothing but the story of Laila's love.[15]
MAXIM LXXXII
Anyone associating with bad people, although their nature may not infect his own, is supposed to follow their ways to such a degree that if he goes to a tavern to say his prayers he will be supposed to do so for drinking wine.
Thou hast branded thyself with the mark of ignorance when thou hast selected an ignoramus for thy companion. I asked some scholars for a piece of advice. They said: "Connect thyself not with an ignorant man, for if thou be learned, thou wilt be an ass in course of time, and if unlearned thou wilt become a greater fool."
MAXIM LXXXIII
The meekness of the camel is known to be such that if a child takes hold of its bridle and goes a hundred farsakhs, it will not refuse to follow; but if a dangerous portion occurs which may occasion death, and the child ignorantly desires to approach it, the camel tears the bridle from his hand, refusing any longer to obey, because compliance in times of calamity is blamable. It is also said that by compliance an enemy will not become a friend, but that his greed will only be augmented.
To him who is kind to thee, be dust at his feet; but if he opposes thee, fill his two eyes with dust. Speak not kindly or gently to an ill-humoured fellow, because a soft file cannot clean off inveterate rust.
MAXIM LXXXIV
Who interrupts the conversation of others, that they may know his excellence, they will become acquainted only with the degree of his folly.
An intelligent man will not give a reply, unless he be asked a question. Because though his words may be based on truth his claim to veracity may be deemed impossible.
MAXIM LXXXV
I had a wound under my robe, and a Sheikh asked me daily how, but not where, it is, and I learned that he refrained [from the latter inquiry] because it is not admissible to mention every member [of our body]; and wise men have also said that who does not ponder his question will be grieved by the answer.
Until thou knowest thy words to be perfectly suitable, thou must not open thy mouth in speech. If thou speakest truth, and remainest in captivity, it is better than that thy mendacity deliver thee therefrom.
MAXIM LXXXVI
Mendacity resembles a violent blow, the scar of which remains, though the wound may be healed. Seest thou not how the brothers of Joseph became noted for falsehood, and no trust in their veracity remained, as Allah the Most High has said: 'Nay, but ye yourselves have contrived the thing for your own sake.'[16]
One habitually speaking the truth is pardoned when he once makes a slip; but if he becomes noted for lying, people do not believe him even when speaking truth.
MAXIM LXXXVII
The noblest of beings is evidently man, and the meanest a dog; but intelligent persons agree that a grateful dog is better than an ungrateful man.
A dog never forgets a morsel received, though thou throwest a stone at him a hundred times. But if thou cherishest a base fellow a lifetime, he will for a trifle suddenly fight with thee.
MAXIM LXXXVIII
Who panders to his passions will not cultivate accomplishments, and who possesses none is not suitable for a high position.
Have no mercy on a voracious ox,
Who sleeps a great deal, and eats much.
If thou wantest to have fatness like an ox,
Yield thy body to the tyranny of people like an ass.
MAXIM LXXXIX
It is written in the Evangel: 'O son of Adam! If I give thee riches, thou wilt turn away from me with mundane cares; and if I make thee poor thou wilt sit down with a sad heart; then where wilt thou enjoy the sweetness of adoring me, and when wilt thou hasten to serve me?'
Sometimes thou art made haughty and careless by wealth, sometimes art in distress from exhaustion and penury; if thy State be such in joy and in distress, I know not when thou wilt turn to God from thyself.
MAXIM XC
The will of the Inscrutable[17] brings down one from the royal throne, and protects the other in the belly of a fish.[18]
Happy is the time of the man who spends it in adoring Thee.
MAXIM XCI
When God draws the sword of wrath, prophets and saints draw in their heads; but if He casts a look of grace, He converts wicked into virtuous men.
If at the Resurrection He addresses us in anger, what chance of pardon will even prophets have? Say: 'Remove the veil from the face of mercy, because sinners entertain hopes of pardon!'
MAXIM XCII
Whoever does not betake himself to the path of rectitude in consequence of the castigations of this world, will fall under eternal punishment in the next. Allah the Most High has said: 'And we will cause them to taste the nearer punishment [of this world] besides the more grievous punishment' [of the next].[19]
Admonition is the address of superiors, and then fetters; if they give advice and thou listenest not, they put thee in fetters.
MAXIM XCIII
Fortunate men are admonished by the adventures and similes of those who have proclaimed them, before those who follow them can use the event as a proverb, like thieves who shorten their hands, lest their hands be cut off.
The bird does not go to the grain displayed when it beholds another fowl in the trap; take advice by the misfortunes of others, that others may not take advice from thee.
MAXIM XCIV
How can he hear whose organ of audition has been created dull, and how can he avoid progressing upon whom the noose of happiness has been flung?
To the friends of God a dark night
Shines like the brilliant day;
This felicity is not by strength of arm
Unless God the giver bestows it.
To whom shall I complain of Thee, there is no other judge and there is no other hand superior to Thine. Whom Thou guidest no one can lead astray; whom Thou castest off no one can guide.
MAXIM XCV
The earth receives [beneficent] showers from heaven and gives to it only [vile] dust: Every vessel exudes what it contains
If my humour appears to thee unbecoming,
Lose not thy own good humour.
MAXIM XCVI
A mendicant with a good end is better than a Pâdshâh with a bad one.
The grief thou sufferest before the joy is better than the grief endured after joy.
MAXIM XCVII
The Most High sees [a fault] and conceals [it], and a neighbour sees [it] not, but shouts.
Let us take refuge with Allah! If people knew our faults no one could have rest from interference by others.
MAXIM XCVIII
Gold is obtained from a mine by digging it, but from a miser by digging the soul.
Vile men spend not, but preserve. They say hope [of spending] is better than spending. One day thou seest the wish of the foe fulfilled, the gold remaining and the vile man dead.
MAXIM XCIX
Who has no mercy upon inferiors will suffer from the tyranny of superiors.
Not every arm which contains strength breaks the hand of the weak for [showing] bravery; injure not the heart of the helpless, for thou wilt succumb to the force of a strong man.
MAXIM C
When a wise man encounters obstacles, he leaps away and casts anchor at the proper opportunity, for thus he will be in the former instance safe on shore, and in the latter he will enjoy himself.
MAXIM CI
The gambler requires three sixes, and only three aces turn up. The pasture is a thousand times more pleasant than the racecourse; but the steed has not the bridle at its option.
MAXIM CII
A dervish prayed thus: "O Lord! Have mercy upon the wicked, because thou hast already had mercy upon good men by creating them to be good."
MAXIM CIII
The first [sovereign] who laid stress on costume and wore rings on his left hand was Jamshid; and being asked why he had adorned his left, whereas excellence resides in the right hand, he replied: "The right hand is fully ornamented by its own rectitude."
Feridûn ordered Chinese embroiderers to write around the borders of his tent: "Keep the wicked well, O intelligent man, because the good are in themselves great and fortunate."
MAXIM CIV
A great man having been asked why he wore his seal-ring on his left hand, whereas the right possesses so much excellence, replied: "Knowest thou not that the meritorious are always neglected?"
He who has created joy and distress
Apportions either excellence or luck.
MAXIM CV
He may freely warn Pâdshâhs who neither fears to lose his life, nor hopes for gold.
Pour either gold at the feet of a monotheist or place an Indian sabre to his head. He entertains no hope nor fear from anyone, and this is a sufficient basis of monotheism.
MAXIM CVI
The Pâdshâh is to remove oppressors; the police, murderers; and the Qâzi to hear complaints about thieves; but two enemies willing to agree to what is right will not apply to him.
When thou seest that it must be given what is right, pay it rather with grace than fighting and distressed. If a man pays not his tax of his own accord, the officer's man will take it by force.
MAXIM CVII
The teeth of all men are blunted by sourness, but those of the Qâzi by sweetness.
The Qâzi whom thou bribest with five cucumbers will prove that ten melon-fields are due to thee.
MAXIM CVIII
What can an old prostitute do but vow to become chaste, and an expelled policeman not to commit oppression upon men?
A youth who sits in a corner[20] is a hero in the path of God, because an old man is unable to rise from his corner.
MAXIM CIX
A sage was asked: "Of so many notable, high, and fertile trees which God the Most High has created, not one is called free except the cypress, which bears no fruit. What is the reason for this?"
He replied: "Every tree has its appropriate season of fruit, so that it is sometimes flourishing therewith, and looks sometimes withered by its absence; with the cypress, however, neither is the case, it being fresh at all times, and this is the quality of those who are free."
Place not thy heart on what passes away; for the Tigris will flow after the Khalifs have passed away in Baghdad. If thou art able, be liberal like the date-tree, and if thy hand cannot afford it, be liberal like the cypress.
MAXIM CX
Two men died, bearing away [their] grief. One had possessed wealth and not enjoyed it, the other knowledge and not practised it.
No one sees an excellent but avaricious man without publishing his defect, but if a liberal man has a hundred faults his generosity covers his imperfections.
- ↑ Supposed to be the same with Korah. See Book of Numbers, ch. xvi. He is mentioned in the Qurân as having been a man of great wealth.
- ↑ In another copy the above stands thus: 'Reveal not to any man the secret which thou desirest to remain concealed, although he may be a friend, because that friend wilt also have friends, and so on.'
- ↑ Another copy has: 'The skirts of covetousness.'
- ↑ One is before birth, and the other takes place after death, so that existence, or life in the world, is between the two.
- ↑ Here the play of words is on 'kharand,' which means 'they are asses,' and also 'they buy.'
- ↑ Qurân, ch. xxxvi., v. 60.
- ↑ Qurân, ch. xcvii., v. 1: 'Verily we sent down the Qurân in the night of Qadr.' The word 'qadr' signifies 'power,' 'honour,' 'dignity,' and this night is so named from its excellence above all other nights in the year. On this night Muhammad received his first revelation, when the Quran was sent down from the 'Preserved Table' near God's throne, entire in one volume to the lowest heaven, from which Gabriel revealed it to Muhammad in parcels as occasion required.
- ↑ Literally, 'To see double.'
- ↑ Wandering religious mendicants.
- ↑ The word is 'Zandiq,' which originally meant only those who read the Zend scriptures, namely the Zoroastrians; but was in course of time extended and applied to every kind of unbeliever.
- ↑ In ancient times kings used to adorn their beards with pearls and jewels.
- ↑ The religious dress.
- ↑ Literally, 'Draw the blue finger over all thy household furniture.'
- ↑ A well-known author and spiritual guide.
- ↑ These two characters are by European authors compared to Romeo and Juliet, as immortalised by Shakespeare.
- ↑ Qurân, ch, xii., part of v. 18. The above words are said by Jacob to the brothers of Joseph, when they produced his inner garment stained with false blood.
- ↑ God.
- ↑ The prophet Jonah.
- ↑ Qurân, ch. xxxii., v. 21.
- ↑ To sit in a corner stands here for seclusion in a cell as a devotee.