They asked Hasan of Maymand, "Sultan Mahmud has many beautiful slaves, each one a wonder of the world. How is it that he shows no affection or inclination towards any of them as he does with Ayaz, who does not possess extraordinary beauty?"
Hasan replied, "Whatever pleases the heart appears beautiful to the eye."
He who is loved by the king,
Even if he does wrong, appears virtuous.
And he who falls out of the king's favor,
Even in the stables, no one will regard him.
If someone looks with the eye of disapproval,
Even the beauty of Joseph will appear flawed.
But if one looks with the eye of devotion,
Even a demon will seem like an angel.
