[Sidenote: Buzurjamaher.]
[Sidenote: Books of the Persians.]
[Sidenote: Ideal Persian Secretary]
Says Buzurjamaher, "When you are in doubt as to the propriety of doing one of two things then look out for the one which is nearest to your desires and relinquish it." (p. 23). And it is said in the Books of the Persians, [and here follows one of the most frequently repeated injunctions about the strict guarding of one's secrets.] (p. 40.) The Persians were in the habit of saying that the person would be deficient as a writer who was not conversant with the nature of flowing waters, with the digging of canals, with mirage, with the length of days as to particular seasons, with the rising of the new moon, and its effects, with weights and measures, with mensuration, triangles, squares, and measurements of areas involving various angles, with the preparation of channels and bridges and water mills, with the implements of artisans, and with the intricacies of mathematics. (p. 43).
[Sidenote: Mobedan-Mobed]
I have read in one of the Books of the Persians that the Mobedan-Mobed in eulogising the art of writing said etc … (p. 47).
[Sidenote: Epistle of Aberwez.]
I have read in the Epistle of Aberwez to his son Shiruya. [Then follows an advice about severely punishing even a small piece of dishonesty.] (p, 58).
[Sidenote: The Taj.]
I have read in the Taj that Aberwez said to the treasurer [here follows some observations on integrity.]