Story I.
I said to one of my friends, “I have chosen to abstain from speaking, for this reason, because, on the majority of occasions, it happens that in speech there is evil as well as good, and the eye of enemies notes only the evil.” He replied, “O brother! he is the best enemy who does not observe our good qualities.”
COUPLET.
No fault's like virtue to the foeman's eye, "Who, e'en in Sa'di's self, would thorns descry.
COUPLET.
Ne'er the malignant pass a good man by, But slander him with hateful villainy.
COUPLET.
The feeble-visioned mole perchance may scorn The sun's bright fount, that doth the world adorn.
A merchant met with the loss of a thousand dinars, and said to his son, "Thou must not tell any one of this matter." The son replied, "O father! it is thy command; I will not tell; acquaint me, however, with the advantage to be derived from keeping the affair secret." The father answered, "In order that we may not have two misfortunes to encounter—first, the loss of our money; and secondly, the malignant rejoicings of our neighbours."
I said to one of my friends, “I have chosen to abstain from speaking, for this reason, because, on the majority of occasions, it happens that in speech there is evil as well as good, and the eye of enemies notes only the evil.” He replied, “O brother! he is the best enemy who does not observe our good qualities.”
COUPLET.
No fault's like virtue to the foeman's eye, "Who, e'en in Sa'di's self, would thorns descry.
COUPLET.
Ne'er the malignant pass a good man by, But slander him with hateful villainy.
COUPLET.
The feeble-visioned mole perchance may scorn The sun's bright fount, that doth the world adorn.
A merchant met with the loss of a thousand dinars, and said to his son, "Thou must not tell any one of this matter." The son replied, "O father! it is thy command; I will not tell; acquaint me, however, with the advantage to be derived from keeping the affair secret." The father answered, "In order that we may not have two misfortunes to encounter—first, the loss of our money; and secondly, the malignant rejoicings of our neighbours."
COUPLET.
Do not to foes thy sufferings impart, Lest, while they seem to grieve, they joy at heart.
An intelligent young man, who possessed an ample stock of admirable accomplishments and a rare intellect, notwithstanding, uttered not a word whenever he was seated in the company of the wise. At length, his father said, "O son! why dost not thou also say somewhat of that thou knowest?" He replied, "I fear lest they should ask me something of which I am ignorant, and I should bring on myself disgrace."
STANZA.
One day a Sufi (hast thou heard it told?) By chance was hammering nails into his shoe: Then of his sleeve an officer caught hold, And said, "Come thou! and shoe my charger too!"
COUPLET.
Art silent? none can meddle with thee. When Thou once hast spoken, thou must prove it then.
A learned man of high reputation had a dispute with a heretic, and did not get the better of him in argument. He cast away his shield, and took to flight. Some one said to him, "Hadst thou, notwithstanding all thy learning and address, and eminent qualities and sagacity, no argument left with which to combat an infidel?" He replied, "My knowledge is the Kur'an, and the traditions of the Prophet and the doctrines of the fathers; and he believes not in these things, and will not attend to them; and in what shall I be benefited by listening to his impieties?"
Do not to foes thy sufferings impart, Lest, while they seem to grieve, they joy at heart.
An intelligent young man, who possessed an ample stock of admirable accomplishments and a rare intellect, notwithstanding, uttered not a word whenever he was seated in the company of the wise. At length, his father said, "O son! why dost not thou also say somewhat of that thou knowest?" He replied, "I fear lest they should ask me something of which I am ignorant, and I should bring on myself disgrace."
STANZA.
One day a Sufi (hast thou heard it told?) By chance was hammering nails into his shoe: Then of his sleeve an officer caught hold, And said, "Come thou! and shoe my charger too!"
COUPLET.
Art silent? none can meddle with thee. When Thou once hast spoken, thou must prove it then.
A learned man of high reputation had a dispute with a heretic, and did not get the better of him in argument. He cast away his shield, and took to flight. Some one said to him, "Hadst thou, notwithstanding all thy learning and address, and eminent qualities and sagacity, no argument left with which to combat an infidel?" He replied, "My knowledge is the Kur'an, and the traditions of the Prophet and the doctrines of the fathers; and he believes not in these things, and will not attend to them; and in what shall I be benefited by listening to his impieties?"
COUPLET.
To those who doctrine and Kur'an deny, To answer nothing is the best reply.
The physician Galen, on seeing a fool lay hold of the collar of a learned man and disgrace him, said, "Had this been a wise man, his dealings with a fool would not have reached this point."
DISTICHS.
The wise will not in hate or strife engage; Nor with a simpleton contends the sage. When fools, in savage words, their thoughts express, The wise will soothe them by their gentleness. Two men of judgment will not break a hair, Thus 'twixt the headlong and the mild 'twill fare. But should the band that parts them be a chain, Two fools would quickly break its links in twain.
Sahbiin Wail232 has been regarded as unrivalled in eloquence, inasmuch as he could speak a whole year before an assembly without ever being guilty of repetition; and should the same idea recur, he would express it in different language. And this is one of the accomplishments requisite for courtiers.
To those who doctrine and Kur'an deny, To answer nothing is the best reply.
The physician Galen, on seeing a fool lay hold of the collar of a learned man and disgrace him, said, "Had this been a wise man, his dealings with a fool would not have reached this point."
DISTICHS.
The wise will not in hate or strife engage; Nor with a simpleton contends the sage. When fools, in savage words, their thoughts express, The wise will soothe them by their gentleness. Two men of judgment will not break a hair, Thus 'twixt the headlong and the mild 'twill fare. But should the band that parts them be a chain, Two fools would quickly break its links in twain.
Sahbiin Wail232 has been regarded as unrivalled in eloquence, inasmuch as he could speak a whole year before an assembly without ever being guilty of repetition; and should the same idea recur, he would express it in different language. And this is one of the accomplishments requisite for courtiers.
DISTICHS.
The speech may be attractive, just, and sweet, Worthy to be approved by judgment nice;
But when once spoken, ne’er the same repeat, For once to swallow sweetmeats will suffice.
Story VII.
I heard a sage say, “No one avows his ignorance but the man who, while another is speaking, and has not yet finished, commences speaking himself.”
DISTICHS.
Each several theme beginning has and end, Therefore weave not discourse within discourse.
A man of judgment, wit, and sense, my friend! Speaks not until thy words have had their course.
Story VIII.
Some of the servants of Sultan Mahmud asked Hasan Maimandi, “What did the Sultan say to thee to-day about a certain affair?” He replied, “It will not have been concealed from you too?” They answered, “Thou art the Prime Minister of the State; the Sultan does not think of telling us what he tells thee.” Hasan replied, “And he does this in the confidence that I will not repeat it. Wherefore, then, do ye ask me?”
The speech may be attractive, just, and sweet, Worthy to be approved by judgment nice;
But when once spoken, ne’er the same repeat, For once to swallow sweetmeats will suffice.
Story VII.
I heard a sage say, “No one avows his ignorance but the man who, while another is speaking, and has not yet finished, commences speaking himself.”
DISTICHS.
Each several theme beginning has and end, Therefore weave not discourse within discourse.
A man of judgment, wit, and sense, my friend! Speaks not until thy words have had their course.
Story VIII.
Some of the servants of Sultan Mahmud asked Hasan Maimandi, “What did the Sultan say to thee to-day about a certain affair?” He replied, “It will not have been concealed from you too?” They answered, “Thou art the Prime Minister of the State; the Sultan does not think of telling us what he tells thee.” Hasan replied, “And he does this in the confidence that I will not repeat it. Wherefore, then, do ye ask me?”
COUPLET.
Not all they know will men of prudence tell; Nor with kings’ secrets sport, and life as well.
Story IX.
I was hesitating about a bargain for a house when a Jew said to me, “I am one of the old inhabitants of this quarter. Inquire of me the intrinsic value of the house, and purchase it, for it has not a fault.” I replied, “None, except that thou livest near it.”
STANZA.
A house with such a neighbour as thou art Were worth ten silver dirhams—those, too, bad. Yet hope we—shouldst thou from this life depart, A thousand for it then might well be had.
Story X.
A poet went to the chief of a band of robbers and recited a panegyric upon him. He commanded them to strip off his clothes and turn him out of the village. The dogs, too, attacked him in the rear. He wanted to take up a stone, but the ground was frozen. Unable to do anything, he said, “What a villainous set are these, who have untied their dogs and tied up the stones.” The chieftain heard this from a window, and said with a laugh, “Philosopher! ask a boon of me.” He replied, “If thou wilt condescend to make me a present, bestow on me my own coat.”
Not all they know will men of prudence tell; Nor with kings’ secrets sport, and life as well.
Story IX.
I was hesitating about a bargain for a house when a Jew said to me, “I am one of the old inhabitants of this quarter. Inquire of me the intrinsic value of the house, and purchase it, for it has not a fault.” I replied, “None, except that thou livest near it.”
STANZA.
A house with such a neighbour as thou art Were worth ten silver dirhams—those, too, bad. Yet hope we—shouldst thou from this life depart, A thousand for it then might well be had.
Story X.
A poet went to the chief of a band of robbers and recited a panegyric upon him. He commanded them to strip off his clothes and turn him out of the village. The dogs, too, attacked him in the rear. He wanted to take up a stone, but the ground was frozen. Unable to do anything, he said, “What a villainous set are these, who have untied their dogs and tied up the stones.” The chieftain heard this from a window, and said with a laugh, “Philosopher! ask a boon of me.” He replied, “If thou wilt condescend to make me a present, bestow on me my own coat.”
COUPLET.
From some a man might favours hope—from thee We hope for nothing but immunity.
We feel thy kindness that thou lett’st us go.
The robber chief had compassion on him. He gave him back his coat, and bestowed on him a fur cloak in addition, and further presented him with some dirhams.
Story XI.
An astrologer, on entering his own house, found a man sitting with his wife. He abused and reviled him, and a disturbance arose. A sagacious person, being informed of this, said,
COUPLET.
“Canst thou tell what goes on above the sky, And not th’ interior of thy house descry?”
Story XII.
A preacher, who had a shocking voice, fancied it was very agreeable, and employed it in shouting to no purpose. The croaking of the raven, you would say, was in his modulations; and that verse was intended for him, “Verily the most detestable of sounds is the voice of an ass.”
From some a man might favours hope—from thee We hope for nothing but immunity.
We feel thy kindness that thou lett’st us go.
The robber chief had compassion on him. He gave him back his coat, and bestowed on him a fur cloak in addition, and further presented him with some dirhams.
Story XI.
An astrologer, on entering his own house, found a man sitting with his wife. He abused and reviled him, and a disturbance arose. A sagacious person, being informed of this, said,
COUPLET.
“Canst thou tell what goes on above the sky, And not th’ interior of thy house descry?”
Story XII.
A preacher, who had a shocking voice, fancied it was very agreeable, and employed it in shouting to no purpose. The croaking of the raven, you would say, was in his modulations; and that verse was intended for him, “Verily the most detestable of sounds is the voice of an ass.”
COUPLET.
Preacher Abu’l-fawaris brays—from far Persian Istakhar trembles at the jar.
The people of the town, out of respect to the office he held, put up with the infliction, and did not think it right to annoy him; till at length, a preacher of that district, who had a secret spite against him, came to see him, and said, “I have seen a dream; I hope it will turn out well.” The other asked, “What hast thou seen?” The visitor answered, “I beheld that thy voice was pleasant, and that people were delighted with thy discourse.” The preacher reflected a little on this, and said, “What a fortunate dream it is that thou hast seen, by which thou hast acquainted me with my failings. I now understand that I have an unpleasant voice, and that people are distressed by my delivery. I vow amendment, and, in future, will never read except in a low voice.”
Preacher Abu’l-fawaris brays—from far Persian Istakhar trembles at the jar.
The people of the town, out of respect to the office he held, put up with the infliction, and did not think it right to annoy him; till at length, a preacher of that district, who had a secret spite against him, came to see him, and said, “I have seen a dream; I hope it will turn out well.” The other asked, “What hast thou seen?” The visitor answered, “I beheld that thy voice was pleasant, and that people were delighted with thy discourse.” The preacher reflected a little on this, and said, “What a fortunate dream it is that thou hast seen, by which thou hast acquainted me with my failings. I now understand that I have an unpleasant voice, and that people are distressed by my delivery. I vow amendment, and, in future, will never read except in a low voice.”
STANZA.
I wearied of my friend’s society, Who my bad qualities as virtues shows; Who, in my failings, can perfection see, And calls my thorns the jasmine and the rose. Give me the pert and watchful enemy, Who will my faults to me with zest disclose.
Story XIII.
A person was performing gratis the office of summoner to prayer in the mosque of Sanjuriyah, in a voice which disgusted those who heard him. The patron of the mosque was a prince who was just and amiable. He did not wish to pain the crier, and said, “O sir! there are Muazzins attached to this mosque to whom the office has descended from of old, each of whom has an allowance of five dinars, and I will give thee ten to go to another place.” This was agreed upon, and he departed.
some time he returned to the prince and said, "O my lord! thou didst me injustice in sending me from this place for ten dinars. In the place whence I have come they offered me twenty dinars to go somewhere else, and I will not accept it." The prince laughed and said, "Take care not to accept it, for they will consent to give thee even fifty dinars."
I wearied of my friend’s society, Who my bad qualities as virtues shows; Who, in my failings, can perfection see, And calls my thorns the jasmine and the rose. Give me the pert and watchful enemy, Who will my faults to me with zest disclose.
Story XIII.
A person was performing gratis the office of summoner to prayer in the mosque of Sanjuriyah, in a voice which disgusted those who heard him. The patron of the mosque was a prince who was just and amiable. He did not wish to pain the crier, and said, “O sir! there are Muazzins attached to this mosque to whom the office has descended from of old, each of whom has an allowance of five dinars, and I will give thee ten to go to another place.” This was agreed upon, and he departed.
some time he returned to the prince and said, "O my lord! thou didst me injustice in sending me from this place for ten dinars. In the place whence I have come they offered me twenty dinars to go somewhere else, and I will not accept it." The prince laughed and said, "Take care not to accept it, for they will consent to give thee even fifty dinars."
COUPLET.
No mattock can the clay remove from off the granite stone, So well as thy discordant voice can make the spirit moan.
Story XIV.
A man with a harsh voice was reading the Kur'an in a loud tone. A sage passed by and asked, "What is thy monthly stipend?" He replied, "Nothing." "Wherefore, then," asked the sage, "dost thou give thyself this trouble?" He replied, "I read for the sake of God." "Then," said the sage, "for God's sake! read not."
COUPLET.
If in this fashion the Kur'an you read, You'll mar the loveliness of Islam's creed.
No mattock can the clay remove from off the granite stone, So well as thy discordant voice can make the spirit moan.
Story XIV.
A man with a harsh voice was reading the Kur'an in a loud tone. A sage passed by and asked, "What is thy monthly stipend?" He replied, "Nothing." "Wherefore, then," asked the sage, "dost thou give thyself this trouble?" He replied, "I read for the sake of God." "Then," said the sage, "for God's sake! read not."
COUPLET.
If in this fashion the Kur'an you read, You'll mar the loveliness of Islam's creed.