Page:Tales from the Gulistan (1928).pdf/268

The Gulistân

foe, who professes submission and shows friendship, has no other object than to become a strong enemy. It has been said that as the friendship of friends is unreliable, what trust can be put in the flattery of enemies?

despises an insignificant enemy resembles him who is careless about fire. Extinguish it to-day, while it may be quenched, because when fire is high, it burns the world. Allow not the bow to be spanned by a foe, because an arrow may pierce [thee].

. So between two enemies that thou mayest not be put to shame if they become friends.

Between two men contention is like fire, the ill-starred back-biter being the wood-carrier; when both of them become friends again he will among them be unhappy and ashamed. To kindle fire between two men is not wise, but is to burn oneself therein.

Converse in whispers with thy friends, lest thy sanguinary foe may hear thee; take care of what thou sayest in front of a wall, because an ear may be behind the wall.

makes peace with the enemies of his friends greatly injures his friends.