To be tied by the feet in a gloomy pit is better than to carry mischief from place to place. A quarrel is like a fire which the tale-bearer feeds with fuel. FARIDUN[33] AND HIS WISE VAZIER Faridun had a vazier who was discerning and of enlightened mind. Some one went to the king one day and said: “The vazier is thy secret enemy. There is not a person in the kingdom to whom he has not lent out gold and silver on the condition that at thy death the loans shall be repaid.” Regarding the vazier with threatening mien, the king exclaimed: “Thou appearest before me in the guise of a friend; why art thou my enemy at heart?” The vazier kissed the ground as he replied: “I desire, O renowned king, that all the people should be thy well-wishers. Since at thy death they must repay me, they will pray for thy long life from fear of me.” Approving of this explanation, the king increased the dignities of the vazier, while no one was more ill-fated and changed in fortune than the tale-bearer. It is not compatible with reason to kindle between two men the fire of strife and burn oneself in the flames. DISCOURSE CONCERNING WIVES That poor man is a king whose wife is obedient and chaste. Grieve not over the troubles of the day when at night the dispeller of thy sorrows is by thy side. He has obtained his heart’s desire whose beloved is of the same mind as himself. If a woman be pure and of kindly speech, regard neither her beauty nor her homeliness. A woman of good nature is more to be desired than one of beauty, for amiability conceals a multitude of flaws. Beware the ill-tempered fairy. May heaven grant protection from a bad woman! Prison is preferable to a house full of frowns; travelling is a joy to him whose house contains a woman of ugly mind. Close the door of happiness upon that house whence the woman’s voice comes louder than her husband’s. If thy wife take the road to the bazar, beat her, or sit thyself like a woman in thy house. Let her eyes be blind in the presence of strangers; when she goeth from thy house, let it be to the grave. Take a new wife each Spring, O friend, for last year’s almanac serves no purpose. To walk bare-footed is better than to wear tight shoes; the hardships of a journey are better than discord at home. DISCOURSE ON THE TRAINING OF SONS If thou desire that thy name should remain, train thy son in knowledge and wisdom, for if he possess not these thou diest obscure, with no one to commemorate thy name. Teach him a handicraft, though thou be as rich as Korah. Place no hope in the power that thou hast—riches may go from thee. A bag of silver and gold is emptied; the purse of an artisan remains filled. Dost thou not know how Sadi attained to rank? He journeyed not over the plains, nor crossed the seas. In his youth he served under the yoke of the learned: God granted him distinction in after-life. And it is not long before he who serves obtains command.