Page:Tales from the Gulistan (1928).pdf/79

Story XXXIV

of the sons of Hârûn-al-Rashid went to his father and angrily informed him that the son of an official had used insulting expressions towards him, whereon Hârûn asked his courtiers what requital he deserved. One of them proposed capital punishment, another the amputation of the tongue, whilst a third recommended fine and imprisonment.

Then Hârûn said: "O, my son! It would be generous to pardon him; but, if thou art unable to do so, use likewise insulting expressions concerning his mother; not, however, to such a degree as to exceed the bounds of vengeance, because in that case the wrong will be on thy side. He is not reputed a man by the wise who contends with a furious elephant; but he is a man in reality who, when angry, speaks not idle words."

An ill-humoured fellow insulted a man who patiently bore it, saying: "O hopeful youth! I am worse than thou speakest of me, for I am more conscious of my faults than thou."