Sa di

Ch 02 The Morals Of Dervishes Story 43

A pious man saw an acrobat in great dudgeon, full of wrath and foaming at the mouth. He asked: ‘What is the matter with this fellow? ’ A bystander said: ‘Someone has insulted him. ’ He remarked: ‘This base wretch is able to lift a thousand mann of stones and has not the power to bear one word. ’ Abandon thy claim to strength and manliness. Thou art weak-minded and base, whether thou be a man or woman. If thou art able, make a sweet mouth. It is not manliness to strike the fist on a mouth. Although able to tear up an elephant’s front He is not a man who possessed no humanity. A man’s nature is of earth. If he is not humble he is not a man. THE GULISTAN OF SA'DI Translated by Richard Francis Burton (1821-1890)