4. Hormus the tyrant, being asked, why he had put his father’s courtiers in prison, answered, Because they feared me; and the wise say, Fear him who fears thee, though he be a fly, and thou an elephant.
5. A religious was famous at Bagdad for his powerful prayers. Hoschas Joseph, king of Persia, begged him to pray for him. The religious said, O God, take away this man’s life! for no better prayer can I make either for him or his subjects.
6. An infamous king asked a Dervise, “Of all pious offices, which is the chief?” The Dervise answered, For thee, the chief is a long sleep at noon, that thou mayest, for a short time, cease to injure mankind.
7. A courtier being deprived of his place, became a religious. After some time, the king wished to restore him to his station; but he said, Experience has now taught me to prefer ease to dignity.
7. A slave of Omer, the viceroy, fled from his service, but was retaken, and brought before the king; who, at Omer’s instigation, condemned him to death. The slave upon this said, O king, I am an innocent man; and, if I die by thy command, my blood will be required. Permit me then to incur guilt before I meet my sentence. Let me kill this Omer, my master, and I shall die contented. It is for thy sake only I desire this. The king, laughing at this new mode of clearing his own justice, acquitted the wretch.
9. A master had taught a youth to wrestle; who, proud of his acquired skill, and possest of more strength than his master, wished to acquire fame at his expence, and challenged him to wrestle before the court. The master, by one trick, which he had not taught the youth, threw him at once: and, the youth complaining that he had not taught him all his art, the master said, No. I always provide against ingratitude.
10. A religious sitting by the highway, the king passed by; but the religious took no notice of him. A courtier saying “Do not you see the king?” was answered, I want nothing of him. Kings are made for subjects, not subjects for kings. Why then should I respect him who is the publick servant? This anecdote from Sadi differs much from present Eastern despotism.
11. A courtier went to his master, Suelnun, king of Egypt, and begged permission to retire; saying, “Though I am night and day anxious in thy service; yet the fear of once displeasing thee makes me wretched.” Suelnun, in tears, exclaimed, Ah, did I serve God, as thou thy king, I should be one of the just.
12. A king condemned an innocent man to death, who said, O king, thy anger rages against me, but will injure thyself. “How?” rejoined the king. Because my pain lasts but for a moment; but thine for ever. Pardon followed.
13. The courtiers of king Nourshivan consulting with him on important business, when the king had spoken, one of them assented to his opinion, against the rest. Being asked the cause, he said, Human affairs depend on chance, not on wisdom: and, if we err with the king, who shall condemn us? ...