Hekayat 5 from Chapter 2 of Golestan of Saadi

A group of travelers, united in their journey, shared both hardship and comfort. I wished to join them, but they did not agree. I said, “It is strange that the noble ones turn away from the companionship of the poor and withhold benefits and blessings, for I know in myself the ability and speed to be a helpful companion to men, not a burden.”

If I am not riding the cattle

I will strive for you, carrying the burdens

One of them said, “Do not be disheartened by what you heard, for these days a thief disguised as a dervish joined our company.”

How can people know who is in the house?

Only the writer knows what is in the letter

And since the well-being of dervishes is in their simplicity, they did not suspect him and accepted him as a companion.

The appearance of the mystics is their cloak

This much is enough, as they face the people

Strive in your deeds and wear whatever you wish

Wear a crown on your head and carry a banner on your shoulder

[ Renouncing the world and desires is not just about abandoning clothes ]

In the battlefield, one must be a man

What use is a weapon to an effeminate?

One day, we traveled until nightfall and slept at the foot of a fortress. The unfortunate thief took a friend’s jug, pretending to go for ablution but actually going for theft.

See the pious man who wore the cloak

And made the Kaaba’s garment a donkey’s saddle

As soon as he was out of the dervishes’ sight, he climbed a tower and stole a chest. By dawn, he had traveled a considerable distance, while the innocent companions were still asleep. In the morning, they were all brought to the fortress, beaten, and imprisoned. From that day, we abandoned companionship and took the path of solitude.

And safety is in solitude

When one in a group acts foolishly

Neither the great nor the small retain their status

Have you heard that a cow in the pasture

Can spoil all the cows in the village?

I said, “Praise and thanks be to God, the Almighty, that I was not deprived of the blessings of the dervishes, even though I was outwardly separated from their company. This story you told benefited me, and such advice will be useful to people like me all my life.”

One uncultured person in a gathering

Can greatly offend the wise

If a pond is filled with rose water

A dog falling into it will make it filthy.