ON THE MORALS OF KINGS (1)

Orientalia

                I have heard, that a certain monarch having commanded a captive to be put to death, the poor wretch, in a fit of despair, began to abuse and reproach the king, in his own language; according to the sayings: `Whosoever washeth his hands of life, uttereth whatever is in his heart'. `A man without hope speaketh boldly as the cat when driven to despair, seizeth the dog'. `In the time of need, when it is impossible to escape, the hand graspeth the sharp-edged sword'. The King asked `What doth he say?' One of the Viziers, who was of a benevolent disposition, replied: `O my Lord, he said, the Almighty befriendeth him who stifleth his anger, and is merciful to his fellow creatures'. The King had compassion on him, and spared his life. Another Vizier, of a contrary temper, said, `It becometh not persons of our rank to speak anything but truth in the presence of monarchs' [and further said] `That man reviled the king, and spoke indecently'. The king was displeased at his speech, and said: `I am more satisfied with that falsehood, than with this truth, which you have uttered; because that was well intended, and this is founded on malignity; and the sages have declared that falsehood mixed with good advice is preferable to truth tending to excite strife'. When a king is guided by the advice of another, woe be unto him if he speaketh any thing but good. On the portico of the hall of Feredoon was written: `The world! O My brother, continueth not to anyone; place your affections on the Creator of the universe, and that will suffice. Make no reliance, neither rest upon the kingdom of this world; seeing how many like yourself it hath nourished and killed'. When the pure soul is about to depart, what is the difference between expiring on a throne or on the bare ground?

(Tale 1: "The Gulistan")