Sa di

Ch 08 On Rules For Conduct In Life - Admonition 18

Who has power over his foe and does not slay him is his own enemy. With a stone in the hand and a snake on a stone It is folly to consider and to delay. Others, however, enounce a contrary opinion and say that it is preferable to respite captives because the option of killing or not killing remains; but if they be slain without delay, it is possible that some advantage may be lost, the like of which cannot be again obtained. It is quite easy to deprive a man of life. When he is slain he cannot be resuscitated again. It is a condition of wisdom in the archer to be patient Because when the arrow leaves the bow it returns no more. THE GULISTAN OF SA'DI Translated by Richard Francis Burton (1821-1890)