Produced by Al Haines ====================================================================== The Wisdom of the East Series EDITED BY L. CRANMER-BYNG Dr. S. A. KAPADIA ARABIAN WISDOM ====================================================================== WISDOM OF THE EAST ARABIAN WISDOM SELECTIONS AND TRANSLATIONS FROM THE ARABIC BY JOHN WORTABET, M.D. THIRD IMPRESSION LONDON JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET 1916 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED TO MY CHILDREN "What doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God!"--MICAH vi. 8. CONTENTS INTRODUCTION THE FIRST CHAPTER OF THE KORAN REPENTANCE A SINNER'S CRY UNTO GOD FORGIVING OTHERS FORBEARANCE HUMILITY TRUE NOBILITY SELF-RESPECT CHARACTER BENEVOLENCE GENEROSITY GRATITUDE RECOMPENSE FLAUNTING KINDNESS KNOWLEDGE SPECULATIVE STUDIES THOUGHTS, DOUBTS WISDOM IGNORANCE, FOLLY CONSULTATION SPEAKING, WRITING, BOOKS SILENCE TRUTHFULNESS TRUTHFULNESS TO PROMISES TRUTHFULNESS TO SECRETS DECEIT EXERTION OPPORTUNITIES ECONOMY VICISSITUDES OF FORTUNE PATIENCE CONTENTMENT CHEERFULNESS WAR ANGER HATRED, MALICE MURDER ENVY RASHNESS LAZINESS AVARICE COMPLAINT, BLAME MARRIAGE CHILDREN FILIAL DUTY BROTHERS FRIENDS NEIGHBOURS SALUTATION LOVE OF COUNTRY AND HOME TRAVELLING HEALTH YOUTH AND OLD AGE DEATH APPENDIX 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. L. CRANMER-BYNG. S. A. KAPADIA. NORTHBROOK SOCIETY, 21, CROMWELL ROAD, KENSINGTON, S.W. INTRODUCTION