Admonition 11

  It is incumbent upon a padshah to give way to anger towards his

slaves only so far as to retain the confidence of his friends. The

fire of anger first burns him who has given cause for it and

afterwards the flame may or may not reach the foe.

        It is not proper for sons of Adam born of earth

        To inflate their heads with pride, violence and wind.

        Thou who displayest so much heat and obstinacy

        Must be, I think, not of earth but of fire.

        I visited a hermit in the country of Bilqan

        And requested him to purge me of ignorance by instruction.

        He replied: 'Be patient like earth, O lawyer,

        Or else, bury under the earth all thy learning.'