Page:Tales from the Gulistan (1928).pdf/266

The Gulistân However much science thou mayest acquire, thou art ignorant when there is no practice in thee. Neither deeply learned nor a scholar will a quadruped loaded with some books be, what information or knowledge does the silly beast possess, whether it is carrying a load of wood or of books?

is [to be applied] for the cherishing of religion, not for amassing wealth. Who sold [or misused] abstinence, knowledge, and piety filled a granary, but burnt it clean away.

man who is not abstinent resembles a torch-bearer, who guides others, but does not guide himself. Who has spent a profitless life bought nothing, and threw away his gold.

country is adorned by intelligent, and the religion by virtuous, men. Pâdshâhs stand more in need of the advice of intelligent men than intelligent men of the proximity of Pâdshâhs.

If thou wilt listen to advice, Pâdshâh! There is none better in all books than this: 'Entrust a business to an intelligent man, although it may not be his occupation.'

things cannot subsist without three things: Property without trade, science without controversy, and a country without punishment.

Speak sometimes in a friendly, conciliatory, manly way, perhaps thou wilt ensnare a heart with the lasso; sometimes speak in anger; for a hundred jars of sugar will on occasion not have the effect of one dose of colocynth.