One who seeks the favour of a king without [the proper]...

One who seeks the favour of a king without [the proper] etiquette moves out from safety into harm. 38ـ مَنْ طَلَبَ خِدْمَةَ السُّلْطانِ بِغَيْرِ أدَب خَرَجَ مِنَ السَّلامَةِ إلَى العَطَبِ. Whoever is tyrannical in his reign and increases his aggression, Allah will demolish his foundation and tear down his pillars [of kingship]. 39ـ مَنْ جارَ في سُلْطانِهِ،وَ أكْثَرَ عُدْوانَهُ، هَدَمَ اللّهُ بُنْيانَهُ،وَ هَدَّ أرْكانَهُ.

Whoever is just in his rule and shows kindness [to the people], Allah will elevate his stature and will strengthen [and grant victory to] his helpers. 40ـ مَنْ عَدَلَ في سُلْطانِهِ، وَبَذَلَ إحْسانَهُ، أعْلَى اللّهُ شَأْنَهُ، وأعَزَّ أعْوانَهُ. One who makes his kingship subservient to his religion, every king will submit to him. 41ـ مَنْ جَعَلَ مُلْكَهُ خادِماً لِدينِهِ إنْقادَ لَهُ كُلُّ سُلْطان. When one makes his religion subservient to his kingship, every person will covet it.

42ـ مَنْ جَعَلَ دينَهُ خادِماً لِمُلْكِهِ طَمِعَ فيهِ كُلُّ إنْسان. One who is occupied with [serving] the king will not [have time to] attend to his brothers. 43ـ مَنْ تَشاغَلَ بِالسُّلْطانِ لَمْ يَتَفَرَّغْ لِلاْخْوانِ. It is a right upon the king to govern himself before his soldiers. 44ـ مِنْ حَقِّ المَلِكِ أنْ يَسُوسَ نَفْسَهُ قَبْلَ جُنْدِهِ. Disputing with kings takes away blessings. 45ـ مُنازَعَةُ المُلُوكِ تَسْلُبُ النِّعَمَ.

Evil viziers are the helpers of tyrants and the brothers of wrongdoers. 46ـ وُزَراءُ السُّوءِ أعْوانُ الظَّلَمَةِ وإخْوانُ الأثَمَةِ. Oppressive governors are the worst of the ummah and opponents of the [true] leaders. 47ـ وُلاةُ الجَوْرِ شِرارُ الأُمَّةِ، وأضْدادُ الأَئِمَّةِ. Do not separate from your [rightful] ruler, thereby making the consequence of your affair blameworthy. 48ـ لاتَصَدَّعُوا عَلى سُلْطانِكُمْ فَتُذِمُّوا غِبَّ أمْرِكُمْ.

Never visit kings frequently, for they are such that if you accompany them they will become weary of you and if you advise them sincerely they will debase you. 49ـ لاتُـكْثِرَنَّ الدُّخُولَ عَلَى المُلُوكِ، فَإنَّهُمْ إنْ صَحِبْتَهُمْ مَلُّوكَ، وإنْ نَصَحْتَهُمْ غَشُّوكَ. Do not desire to mingle with kings, for indeed they consider replying salutations to be too much speech and striking the necks to be insignificant punishment.

50ـ لاتَرْغَبْ في خُلْطَةِ المُلُوكِ، فَإنَّهُمْ يَسْتَكْثِرُونَ مِنَ الكَلامِ رَدَّ السَّلامِ، ويَسْتَقِلُّونَ مِنَ العِقابِ ضَرْبَ الرِّقابِ.