Sa di

Ch 03 On The Excellence Of Contentment Story 26

I have seen a fat fool, dressed in a costly robe, with a turban of Egyptian linen on his head, riding on an Arab horse. Someone said: ‘Sa’di, what thinkest thou of this famous brocade upon this ignorant animal? ’ I replied: ‘It is like ugly characters scrawled with gold-water. ’ Verily he is like an ass among men, A calf, a body which is bleating. This animal cannot be said to resemble a man Except in his cloak, turban and outward adornment. Examine all his property and belongings of his estate Thou wilt find nothing lawful to take except his blood. If a noble man becomes impoverished imagine not That his high worth will also decrease. But if into a silver threshold golden nails are driven By a Jew, think not that he will thereby become noble. THE GULISTAN OF SA'DI Translated by Richard Francis Burton (1821-1890)