Sa di

Ch 08 On Rules For Conduct In Life - Maxim 35

Be not astonished when a wise man ceases to speak in company of vile persons, since the melody of a harp cannot overcome the noise of a drum and the perfume of ambergris must succumb to the stench of rotten garlic. A blatant ignoramus proudly lifted his neck Because he had overcome a scholar by his impudence. Knowest thou not that the Hejazi musical tune Succumbs to the roar of the drum of war? THE GULISTAN OF SA'DI Translated by Richard Francis Burton (1821-1890)