An old man, having been asked why he did not marry, replied that he could not be happy with an aged woman, and on being told that as he was a man of property, he might take a young one, he said: ‘I being an old man and unwilling to associate with an old woman, how could a young one conceive friendship for me who am aged?
Thou art confessedly blind, kiss her and sleep.
The lady wants strength, not gold.
One passage is preferable to her than ten Mann of flesh.
I am neither a lord of subjects nor the slave of a potentate.Grief for the present, or distress for the past, does not trouble me.I draw my breath in comfort and thus spend my life.’A camel-rider shouted to him: ‘O dervish, where art thou going? Return, for thou wilt expire from hardships.’ He paid no…
Who interrupts the conversation of others that they may know his excellence, they will become acquainted only with the degree of his folly.An intelligent man will not give a replyUnless he be asked a question.Because though his words may be based on truth,His claim to veracity may be deemed impossible.
These are my open, and thou knowest not my hidden, qualities.My person is, to the eyes of the world, of good aspectBut my internal wickedness makes me droop my head with shame.The peacock is for his beauteous colours by the peoplePraised whilst he is ashamed of his ugly feet.
Or an owl; wherever thou sittest thou destroyest.Although thy oppression may pass among usIt cannot pass with the Lord who knows all secrets.Oppress not the denizens of the earthThat their supplications may not pass to heaven.’The tyrant, being displeased with these words, got angry and took no notice of him until one night, when fire…
It is not proper to endanger one’s head for the king’s secret.
