Ch 08 On Rules For Conduct In Life - Caution 02
Who quarrels with great men sheds his own blood.
One who thinks that he is great
Is truly said to be squinting.
Thou wilt soon see thy forehead broken
If thou buttest it in play against a ram.
Ch 08 On Rules For Conduct In Life - Admonition 09
Do not pity the weakness of a foe because when he gains strength he will not spare thee.
Boast not of thy moustaches when thou seest thy foe is weak.
There is marrow in every bone, a man in every coat.
Ch 08 On Rules For Conduct In Life - Maxim 07
To have mercy upon the bad is to injure the good; to pardon tyrants is to do violence to dervishes.
If thou associatest and art friendly with a wretch
He will commit sin with thy wealth and make thee his partner.
Ch 08 On Rules For Conduct In Life - Admonition 07
When thou art uncertain in transacting an affair, select that portion of it which will entail no danger to thee.
Speak not harshly to a man of gentle speech.
Seek not to fight with him who knocks at the door of peace.
Ch 08 On Rules For Conduct In Life - Maxim 08
A weak foe, who professes submission and shows friendship, has no other object than to become a strong enemy. It has been said that as the friendship of friends is unreliable, what trust can be put in the flattery of enemies?
Ch 08 On Rules For Conduct In Life - Admonition 02
Confide not to a friend every secret thou possessest. How knowest thou that he will not some time become thy foe? Inflict not every injury thou canst upon an enemy because it is possible that one day he may become thy friend.
Ch 08 On Rules For Conduct In Life - Maxim 22
Affairs succeed by patience and a hasty man fails.
I saw with my eyes in the desert
That a slow man overtook a fast one.
A galloping horse, fleet like the wind, fell back
Whilst the camel-man continued slowly his progress.
Ch 08 On Rules For Conduct In Life - Maxim 24
Whoever associates with bad people will see no good.
If an angel associates with a demon
He will learn from him fear, fraud and hypocrisy.
Of the wicked thou canst learn only wickedness.
A wolf will not take to sewing jackets.
Ch 08 On Rules For Conduct In Life - Maxim 47
What is not placed cannot be reached by the hand and whatever is placed will be reached wherever it is.
Hast thou heard that Alexander went into the darkness
And after all his efforts could not taste the water of immortality?
Ch 08 On Rules For Conduct In Life - Admonition 16
Whenever a man disputes with one who is more learned than himself to make people know of his learning, they will know that he is ignorant.
If one better than thyself begins to speak,
Although thou mayest know better, contradict him not.