Section 17 - On Those Whose Backbiting Is Permissible: I heard of three types of people for whom backbiting is allowed.

بخش ۱۷ - گفتار اندر کسانی که غیبت ایشان روا باشد: سه کس را شنیدم که غیبت رواست

I heard of three people for whom gossip is permissible

And for the fourth, it is a mistake to pass over

سه کس را شنیدم که غیبت رواست

وز این درگذشتی چهارم خطاست

One is the king who welcomes reproach

From whom you see harm come to the hearts of the people

یکی پادشاهی ملامت پسند

کز او بر دل خلق بینی گزند

It is permissible to spread news about him

Unless the people are cautious of him

حلال است از او نقل کردن خبر

مگر خلق باشند از او بر حذر

The second is the one whose shamelessness is revealed

Who tears the veil over his own self

دوم پرده بر بی‌حیایی متن

که خود می‌درد پرده بر خویشتن

Do not look at his pool, O brother

For he will fall into the well with his own neck

ز حوضش مدار ای برادر نگاه

که او می‌درافتد به گردن به چاه

The third is the one with an unjust scale

Whose bad deeds, tell whatever you know about

سوم کژ ترازوی ناراست خوی

ز فعل بدش هرچه دانی بگوی

Section 17 - On Those Whose Backbiting Is Permissible: I heard of three types of people for whom backbiting is allowed.

Book: Bustan

Author: Saadi Moshrefoldin Mosleh ebn Abdollah