Chapter I: Introduction: In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful 19

On the Reason for the Writing of the Book 21

Concerning Atābak Abu Bakr, Son of Sád 22

CHAP.

I. CONCERNING JUSTICE, COUNSEL, AND THE ADMINISTRATION OF
GOVERNMENT:

Nushīravān’s Counsel to his Son 24

Discourse concerning Travellers 24

Story illustrating the Need for Deliberation 25

Story of the King whose Coat was Coarse 28

Story of Darius and the Herdsman 29

Story of Abdul Aziz and the Pearl 30

Story of how Tukla was rebuked by a Devotee 31

Discourse concerning Riches and Poverty 31

Story of Qazal Arsalān and the Fort 32

A Story of Damascus 32

Story of a Bully 34

II. CONCERNING BENEVOLENCE:

Story illustrative of doing good to the Evil 36

Story concerning Fasting 36

Story illustrative of Practical Charity 37

Story of a Man and a Thirsty Dog 38

Story Apropos of Nemesis 39

Story of a Fool and a Fox 40

Story of a Devout Miser 41

Story of Hātim Tai 42

Story of Hātim and the Messenger sent to kill him 43

Discourse concerning Kindness to Orphans 47

III. CONCERNING LOVE:

Discourse concerning Constancy 49

Story of a Dancer 50

Story illustrating the Reality of Love 50

Story Illustrative of Patience 51

Story of One who was Assiduous in Prayer 52

Story of Sultan Mahmūd and his Love for Ayāz 52

Story of a Village Chief 53

Story of a Fire-fly 54

Story of a Moth and a Candle 54

Another Story on the same Subject 55

IV. CONCERNING HUMILITY:

Story of a Raindrop 56

Story Illustrative of Pious Men regarding themselves
with Contempt 57

Story of Sultan Bāyazīd and Bustāmi 57

Discourse on Conceit 58

Story of the Darwesh and the Proud Cādi 59

Story of the Honey-seller 62

Story illustrating the Forbearance of Good Men 63

Story illustrating the Noble-mindedness of Men 64

Story of a Kind Master and his Disobedient Slave 64

Story of Marūf Karchi and the Sick Traveller 65

Story illustrating the Folly of the Ignoble 67

Story of One who had a Little Knowledge 68

Story illustrating the Humility of the Pious 68

Story illustrating the Value of Soft Words 69

Story illustrating the Wisdom of feigning Deafness 70

Story illustrating Forbearance for the Sake of Friends 71

Story of Luqman, the Sage 72

V. CONCERNING RESIGNATION:

Story of a Soldier of Isfahan 73

Story of the Doctor and the Villager 75

Story of the Villager and his Ass 76

Story illustrating Luck 76

Story of One who blamed his Destiny 76

Story of a Darwesh and his Wife 77

Story of a Vulture and a Kite 77

Story of a Camel 78

Discourse concerning Hypocrisy 79

VI. CONCERNING CONTENTMENT:

Story of the King of Khwarazm 81

Concerning the Evils of Over-eating 81

Story of a Glutton 82

Story of a Recluse 82

Story Illustrating the Evils of Avarice 83

Story of an Ambitious Cat 83

Story of a Short-sighted Man and his High-minded Wife 84

Story of a Holy Man who built a House 85

Story of a Sheikh who became King 85

Discourse concerning Riches 86

VII. CONCERNING EDUCATION:

Discourse concerning the Excellence of Taciturnity 89

Story concerning the keeping of Secrets 90

Story illustrating the Fact that Silence Is Best for Fools 90

Story illustrating the Folly of Impertinence 91

Discourse on Slander 92

Story concerning the same Subject 92

Why Thieving is better than Slandering 92

Sadi and his Envious Class-friend 93

Story of Sadi’s Childhood 93

Story of a Sufi’s Rebuke 94

Concerning Absent Friends 94

Where Slander is Lawful 95

Tale-bearers worse than Back-biters 95

Faridun and his Wise Vazier 96

Discourse concerning Wives 97

Discourse on the Training of Sons 98

Sadi rebuked for his Fault-finding 98

VIII. CONCERNING GRATITUDE:

A Mother’s Warning to her Son 101

Discourse concerning the Art of the Most High God 102

Discourse concerning the Condition of the Weak 103

Story of Tughral, King of Shirāz, and the Hindu Watchman 103

Story of a Thief 104

Story of One who was not what he seemed 105

Story of a Sage Donkey 105

Story illustrating the Evils of Pride 106

Story of Sadi and the Idolaters 106

IX. CONCERNING REPENTANCE:

An Old Man’s Lament 110

Advice and Warning 111

Sadi’s Rebuke from a Camel-driver 112

Story concerning Sorrow for the Dead 113

Story of a Pious Man and a Gold Brick 114

Admonition 115

Moral from an Incident in Sadi’s Childhood 116

Story of a Man who reared a Wolf 117

Story of a Cheat 117

A Recollection of Childhood 118

Story of One who burned his Harvest 118

Discourse on Repentance 119

X. CONCERNING PRAYER:

A Worshipper’s Lament 121

Story of an Idolater 121

NOTES 123

EDITORIAL NOTE

The object of the Editors of this series is a very definite one. They desire above all things that, in their humble way, these books shall be the ambassadors of good-will and understanding between East and West—the old world of Thought and the new of Action. In this endeavour, and in their own sphere, they are but followers of the highest example in the land. They are confident that a deeper knowledge of the great ideals and lofty philosophy of Oriental thought may help to a revival of that true spirit of Charity which neither despises nor fears the nations of another creed and colour. Finally, in thanking press and public for the very cordial reception given to the “Wisdom of the East” Series, they wish to state that no pains have been spared to secure the best specialists for the treatment of the various subjects at hand.

L. CRANMER-BYNG.
S. A. KAPADIA.

NORTHBROOK SOCIETY, 21 Cromwell Road, Kensington, S. W.