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The Gulistân knee with the hand of pain; if he points thy way to the right like an arrow, deflect therefrom and take that to the left hand.

beyond measure produces estrangement, and untimely kindness destroys authority. Be neither so harsh as to disgust the people with thee, nor so mild as to embolden them.

Severity and mildness together are best, like a bleeder, who is a surgeon and also applies a salve. A wise man uses neither severity to excess nor mildness; for it lessens his authority; he neither exalts himself too much nor exposes himself at once to contempt.

A youth said to his father: "O wise man! Give me for instruction one advice like an aged person."

He said: "Be kind, but not to such a degree that a sharp-toothed wolf may become audacious."

that prince never govern a kingdom who is not an obedient slave to God.

is incumbent upon a Pâdshâh to give way to anger towards his slaves only so far as to retain the confidence of his friends. The fire of anger first burns him who has given cause for it, and afterwards the flame may or may not reach the foe.

It is not proper for sons of Adam, born of earth, to inflate their heads with pride, violence, and wind. Thou who displayest so much heat and obstinacy must be, I think, not of earth, but of fire.