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" I traveled in many regions of the globe
and passed the days in the company of many men. I reaped advantages in
every corner, and gleaned an ear of corn from every harvest. But I saw
none like the pious and devout men of Shiraz - upon which land be the
grace of God - my attachment with whom drew away my heart from Syria and
Turkey. I regretted that I should go from the garden of the world
empty-handed to my friends, and reflected: "Travelers bring sugar-candy
from Egypt as a present to their friends. Although I have no candy, yet
have I words that are sweeter. The sugar that i bring is not that which
is eaten, but what knowers of truth take away with respect." When i
built this Palace of Wealth, I furnished it with ten doors of
instruction...Sa'di brings roses to the garden with mirth. His verses
are like dates encrusted with sugar - when opened, a stone, is revealed
inside..."
Excerpt
Chapter 1
Concerning justice, Counsel and the Administration of
Government
The goodness of God surpasseth
imagination; what service can the tongue of praise perform?
Keep, O, God this king, Abu Bakr, beneath whose
shadow is the protection of the people, long established upon his
throne, and make his heart to live in obedience, to Thee. Render
fruitful his tree of hope; prolong his youth, and adorn his face with
mercy.
O, King! Deck not thyself in royal garments when thou
comest to worship; make thy supplications like a dervish, saying: “O,
God! Powerful and strong Thou art. I am no monarch, but a beggar in Thy
court. Unless Thy helps sustain me, what can issue from my hand? Succor
me, and give me the means of virtue, or else how can I benefit my
people?”
If thou rule by day, pray fervently by night. The
great among thy servants wait upon thee at thy door; thus shouldst thou
serve, with thy head in worship upon God’s threshold.
Nushiravan’s Counsel to His Son
Thus, when at the point of death, did Nushiravan counsel his son Hormuz:
“Cherish the poor, and seek not thine own comfort. The shepherd should
not sleep while the wolf is among the sheep. Protect the needy, for a
king wears his crown for the sake of his subjects. The people are as the
root and the king is as the tree; and the tree, O son, gains strength
from the root. He should not oppress the people who have fear of injury
to his kingdom. Seek not plenteousness in that land where the people are
afflicted by the king. Fear them that are proud and them that fear not
God.” |
