One of my friends complained to me about the unfavorable times, saying, “I have little means and many dependents, and I cannot bear the burden of poverty. Many times I have thought of moving to another region where no one would know of my good or bad fortune.”
Many have slept hungry, and no one knew who they were, Many have reached the end of their lives, and no one wept for them.
"But then I fear the mockery of enemies who would laugh behind my back and interpret my efforts for my family as a lack of manliness, saying:
‘Look at that man without honor, who will never see good fortune, Who chooses ease for himself and leaves his wife and children in hardship.’
And in the science of accounting, as you know, I have some knowledge. If, through your influence, a position could be found that would bring peace of mind, I would be eternally grateful." I said, “O brother, a king’s service has two sides: hope and fear, meaning hope for sustenance and fear for life. It is against the wisdom of the wise to expose oneself to this fear for the sake of that hope.”
No one comes to the house of a dervish, To demand the tax of land and garden. Either be content with worry and grief, Or place your liver before the crow.
He said, “You did not speak appropriately to my situation, nor did you answer my question. Have you not heard that whoever commits treachery will tremble at the reckoning?”
Honesty brings the pleasure of God, I have not seen anyone lost on the straight path.
And the wise say: Four types of people suffer from four others: a bandit from the king, a thief from the guard, a sinner from the informer, and a prostitute from the moralist. And the one whose account is clean has nothing to fear from the accountant.
Do not be lax in your work if you want, That when you are removed, your enemy has no opportunity. Be pure, and fear no one, O brother, The washermen beat only dirty clothes on the stone.
I said, "The story of the fox suits your situation. They saw it fleeing, stumbling and falling. Someone asked, ‘What calamity causes this fear?’ It said, ‘I heard that they are taking camels for forced labor.’
He said, ‘O fool! What resemblance do you have to a camel, and what similarity does it have to you?’ It said, ‘Be silent, for if the envious say out of spite that I am a camel and I am caught, who will care to investigate my case and save me? By the time the antidote is brought from Iraq, the snake-bitten person will be dead. You have virtue, piety, and honesty, but the envious lie in wait, and the claimants are in seclusion. If they describe your good character in the opposite way and you fall under the king’s scrutiny, will there be an opportunity for explanation? Therefore, I see it as wise to guard the kingdom of contentment and abandon the pursuit of high office.’
The sea has countless benefits, But if you seek safety, stay on the shore.
My friend heard this and became upset, frowning at my story and began to speak words of annoyance, saying, ‘What wisdom and competence is this, and what understanding and insight?’ The saying of the wise proved true: Friends are useful in prison, for at the table, all enemies appear as friends.
Do not consider a friend one who boasts of loyalty, And brotherhood in times of prosperity. A friend is one who takes the hand of a friend, In times of distress and helplessness.
I saw that he was becoming angry and was listening to advice with ill intent. I went to the chief accountant, with whom I had a prior acquaintance, and explained his situation, mentioning his qualifications and deservingness, so they appointed him to a minor position. After some time, they saw his good nature and appreciated his good management, and his position improved, reaching a higher rank. His star of fortune continued to rise until he reached the peak of favor and became close to the king, trusted and relied upon. I rejoiced at his well-being and said:
Do not worry about a difficult situation and do not lose heart, For the water of the spring of life is in the darkness. Do not despair, O brother in affliction, For the Merciful has hidden kindnesses.
Do not frown at the turn of the days, for patience, Though bitter, has a sweet fruit.
During that time, I had the opportunity to travel with a group of friends. When I returned from the pilgrimage to Mecca, he met me two stages away. I saw his outward state was distressed, and he was in the guise of a dervish. I asked, ‘What has happened?’ He said, ‘As you said, a group envied me and accused me of treachery. The king, may his kingdom endure, did not investigate the truth, and old friends and close companions remained silent about the truth and forgot our long companionship.’
Do you not see that before the lord of power, Those who pray place their hands on their chests? If fate brings him down, The whole world will trample him underfoot.
"In short, I endured various punishments until this week when the good news of the pilgrims’ safety arrived, and I was released from my heavy chains and my inherited kingdom was restored to me. I said, ‘You did not accept my advice at that time when I said: The service of kings is like a sea voyage, dangerous yet profitable; either you gain treasure or perish in the waves.’
Either the master gathers gold with both hands, Or one day the waves cast him dead on the shore.
I did not see it as beneficial to further scratch the wound of his heart with reproach and sprinkle salt on it. So I concluded with these words:
Did you not know that you would see chains on your feet, When you did not heed the advice of the people? If you cannot endure the sting again, Do not put your finger in the scorpion’s hole."
