Persian Literature, Volume 2, Comprising The Shah Nameh | Page 9

the
next that he shall lie shorter by the head. And philosophers have
remarked, saying, "It is incumbent on us to be constantly aware of the
fickle dispositions of kings, who will one moment take offence at a
salutation, and at another make an honorary dress the return for an act
of rudeness; and they have said, That to be over much facetious is the
accomplishment of courtiers and blemish of the wise.--Be wary, and
preserve the state of thine own character, and leave sport and
buffoonery to jesters and courtiers."
XVI
One of my associates brought me a complaint of his perverse fortune,
saying, "I have small means and a large family, and cannot bear up
with my load of poverty. Often has a thought crossed my mind,
suggesting, Let me remove into another country, that in whatever way I
can manage a livelihood none may be informed of my good or bad
luck."--(Often he went asleep hungry, and nobody was aware, saying,
"Who is he?" Often did his life hang upon his lip, and none lamented
over him.)--"On the other hand, I reflect on the exultation of my rivals,
saying, They will scoffingly sneer behind my back, and impute my zeal
in behalf of my family to a want of humanity.--Do but behold that

graceless vagabond who can never witness the face of good fortune. He
will consult the ease of his own person and abandon to distress his wife
and children.--And, as is known, I have some small skill in the science
of accounts. If, through your respected interest, any office can be
obtained that may be the means of quieting my mind, I shall not, during
the remainder of life, be able to express my sense of its gratitude."
I replied, "O brother, the service of kings offers a twofold prospect--a
hope of maintenance and a fear for existence; and it accords not with
the counsel of the wise, under that expectation, to incur this risk.--No
tax-gatherer will enter the dervish's abode, saying, Pay me the rent of a
field and orchard; either put up with trouble and chagrin, or give thy
heartstrings to the crows to pluck."
He said, "This speech is not made as applicable to my case, nor have
you given me a categorical answer. Have you not heard what has been
remarked, 'His hand will tremble on rendering his account who has
been accessory to a dishonest act.--Righteousness will insure the divine
favor; I never met him going astray who took the righteous path.'--And
philosophers have said, 'Four orders of people are mortally afraid of
four others--the revenue embezzler, of the king; the thief, of the
watchman; the fornicator, of the eavesdropper; and the adulteress, of
the censor.' But what has he to fear from the comptroller who has a fair
set of account-books?--'Be not extravagant and corrupt while in office
if thou wishest that the malice of thy rival may be circumscribed on
settling thy accounts. Be undefiled, O brother, in thy integrity, and fear
nobody; washermen will beat only dirty clothes against a stone.'"
I replied, "The story of that fox suits your case, which they saw running
away, stumbling and getting up. Somebody asked him, 'What calamity
has happened to put you in such a state of trepidation?' He said, 'I have
heard that they are putting a camel in requisition.' The other answered,
'O silly animal! what connection has a camel with you, or what
resemblance is there between you and it?' He said, 'Be silent; for were
the envious from malevolence to insist that this is a camel, and I should
be seized for one, who would be so solicitous about me as to inquire
into my case?' And before they can bring the antidote from Irac the

person bitten by the snake may be dead. In like manner, you possess
knowledge and integrity, discrimination and probity, yet spies lie in
ambush, and informers lurk in corners, who, notwithstanding your
moral rectitude, will note down the opposite; and should you anyhow
stand arraigned before the king, and occupy the place of his
reprehension, who in that state would step forward in your defence?
Accordingly, I would advise that you should secure the kingdom of
contentment, and give up all thoughts of preferment. As the wise have
said:--'The benefits of a sea voyage are innumerable; but if thou seekest
for safety, it is to be found only on shore.'"
My friend listened to this speech; he got into a passion, cavilled at my
fable, and began to question it with warmth and asperity, saying, "What
wisdom or propriety, good sense or morality, is there in this? Here is
verified that maxim of the sage, which tells us they are friends alone
that can serve us in a jail, for all