Page:Tales from the Gulistan (1928).pdf/272

The Gulistân If thou art aware of news which will grieve a heart, remain silent that others may convey it.

not information to a Pâdshâh of the treachery of anyone, unless thou art sure he will accept it, else thou wilt only be preparing thy own destruction.

Prepare to speak only when thy words are likely to have effect. Speech is a perfection in the soul of man, but do not ruin thyself by speaking.

gives advice to a self-willed man stands himself in need of advice.

not the deception of a foe, purchase not conceit from a panegyrist; the one has laid out a snare for provisions, and the other has opened the jaws of covetousness.

is pleased by flattery [which is deceitful], like the inflated heel of a corpse that has the appearance of fatness. Take care not to listen to the voice of a flatterer, who expects cheaply to derive profit from thee; if one day thou failest to satisfy his wishes he enumerates two hundred faults of thine.