Story 10-the Rules for Conduct in Life- gulistaan-e-sa.adii

It is a mistake to accept advice from an enemy but permissible to hear it; and to act contrary to it is perfectly correct.

Be cautious of what a foe tells thee to do

Lest thou strike thy knee with the hand of pain.

If he points thy way to the right like an arrow

Deflect therefrom and take that to the left hand.

Admonition 10

Wrath beyond measure produces estrangement and untimely kindness destroys authority. Be neither so harsh as to disgust the people with thee nor so mild as to embolden them.

Severity and mildness together are best

Like a bleeder who is a surgeon and also applies a salve.

A wise man uses neither severity to excess

Nor mildness; for it lessens his authority.

He neither exalts himself too much

Nor exposes himself at once to contempt.

A youth said to his father: 'O wise man,

Give me for instruction one advice like an aged person.'

He said: 'Be kind but not to such a degree

That a sharp-toothed wolf may become audacious.'

It is a mistake to accept advice from an enemy but permissible to hear it; and to act contrary to it is perfectly correct.

Be cautious of what a foe tells thee to do

Lest thou strike thy knee with the hand of pain.

If he points thy way to the right like an arrow

Deflect therefrom and take that to the left hand.

Admonition 10

Wrath beyond measure produces estrangement and untimely kindness destroys authority. Be neither so harsh as to disgust the people with thee nor so mild as to embolden them.

Severity and mildness together are best

Like a bleeder who is a surgeon and also applies a salve.

A wise man uses neither severity to excess

Nor mildness; for it lessens his authority.

He neither exalts himself too much

Nor exposes himself at once to contempt.

A youth said to his father: 'O wise man,

Give me for instruction one advice like an aged person.'

He said: 'Be kind but not to such a degree

That a sharp-toothed wolf may become audacious.'