They tell a story of one of the kings of Persia who had stretched out his hand in aggression towards the property of his subjects and had begun injustice and oppression. To the point that people fled the world because of the evils of his actions and took the path of exile because of the hardship of his tyranny. Because the subjects decreased, the prosperity of the province diminished, and the treasury became empty, and enemies became powerful.

Whoever wants a helper in the day of calamity,

Let him strive for generosity in times of prosperity.

A devoted servant, if you do not cherish him, will leave,

Be kind, be kind, lest the devoted one become a stranger.

Once, in his court, they were reading the Shahnameh about the decline of Zahhak's kingdom and the era of Fereydun. The minister asked the king: Is it possible to know how Fereydun, who had no treasure, kingdom, or retinue, was granted a kingdom? He said: As you have heard, people gathered around him with devotion and strengthened him, and he attained kingship. He said: O king! Since the gathering of people is the cause of kingship, why do you scatter the people? Do you not intend to be king?

It is better to cherish the army with your life,

For the sultan rules with the army.

The king said: What is the cause of the gathering of the army and the subjects? He said: The king needs generosity so that they gather around him, and mercy, so that they sit safely in the refuge of his rule, and you have neither of these two.

One who practices tyranny will not have kingship,

For shepherding does not come from a wolf.

A king who lays the foundation of oppression,

Digs the foundation of his own kingdom's wall.

The king did not like the advice of the sincere minister, which was contrary to his nature; he frowned at this speech and sent him to prison. It was not long before the king's cousins rose in rebellion and demanded their father's kingdom. The people who had been afflicted by his tyranny and scattered gathered around them and strengthened them until the kingdom passed out of this one's control and was established for them.

A king who allows oppression of those under his command,

His friends in the day of hardship are a powerful enemy.

Make peace with the subjects and sit safe from the enemy's war,

For the just emperor, the subjects are the army.