Story 12

  One of the ullemma had been asked that, supposing one sits with a

moon-faced beauty in a private apartment, the doors being closed,

companions asleep, passion inflamed, and lust raging, as the Arab

says, the date is ripe and its guardian not forbidding, whether he

thought the power of abstinence would cause the man to remain in

safety. He replied: 'If he remains in safety from the moon-faced

one, he will not remain safe from evil speakers.'

    If a man escapes from his own bad lust

    He will not escape from the bad suspicions of accusers.

        It is proper to sit down to one's own work

        But it is impossible to bind the tongues of men.