ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Gulistan of Sa'di Chapter IV: On the Advantages of Silence Story 1 I said to a friend that I have chosen rather to be silent than to speak because on most occasions good and bad words are scattered concurrently but enemies perceive only the latter. He replied: 'That enemy is the greatest who does not see any good.' The brother of enmity passes not near a good man Except to consider him as a most wicked liar.

Virtue is to the eyes of enmity the greatest fault. Sa'di is a rose but to the eye of enemies a thorn. The world illumining sun and fountain of light Look ugly to the eye of the mole. Story 2 A merchant, having suffered loss of a thousand dinars, enjoined his son not to reveal it to anyone.

The boy said: 'It is thy order and I shall not tell it but thou must inform me of the utility of this proceeding and of the propriety of concealment.' He replied: 'For fear the misfortune would be double; namely, the loss of the money and, secondly, the joy of neighbours at our loss.' Reveal not thy grief to enemies Because they will say 'La haul' but rejoice.

Story 3 An intelligent youth possessed an abundant share of accomplishments and discreet behaviour so that he was allowed to sit in assemblies of learned men but he refrained from conversing with them. His father once asked him why he did not likewise speak on subjects he was acquainted with.

He replied: 'I fear I may be asked what I do not know and be put to shame.' Hast thou heard how a Sufi drove A few nails under his sandals And an officer taking him by the sleeve Said to him: 'Come and shoe my horse.' For what thou hast not said no one will trouble thee But when thou hast spoken bring the proof. Story 4 A scholar of note had a controversy with an unbeliever but, being unable to cope with him in argument, shook his head and retired.

Someone asked him how it came to pass that, with all his eloquence and learning, he had been unable vanquish an irreligious man. He replied: 'My learning is in the Quran, in tradition and in the sayings of sheikhs, which he neither believes in nor listens to. Then of what use is it to me to hear him blaspheming?' To him of whom thou canst not rid thyself by the Quran and tradition The best reply is if thou dost not reply anything.