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The Manners of Kings

of the viziers [of a king] treated his subordinates with kindness and sought the goodwill of his colleagues. Once he happened to be called to account by the King for something he had done, whereupon his colleagues endeavoured to effect his liberation. Those who guarded him treated him leniently, and the great men expatiated upon his good character to the Pâdshâh till he renounced all further inquiry. A pious man, who took cognisance of this affair, said: "In order to gain the hearts of friends sell event he garden of thy father. In order to boil the pot of well-wishers burn even all the furniture of th house. Do good even to a malevolent fellow; tie up the mouth of the dog with a sop."