One of Harun al-Rashid's sons came to his father, angry, saying that so-and-so, the son of a commander, had insulted his mother.

Harun asked the pillars of the state: What should be the punishment for such a person?

One suggested killing, another cutting out the tongue, and another confiscation of property and exile.

Harun said: O son! Generosity is to forgive, and if you cannot, then you too insult his mother, but not so much that revenge exceeds the limit, for then the injustice will be on our part and the claim from the enemy.

That is not a man in the eyes of the wise

Who seeks to fight with a raging elephant.

Indeed, a man is truly he

Who, when anger comes upon him, does not speak falsehood.