Sufi Stories of Saadi Shirazi

Story 4 -The Manners of Kings - gulistaan-e-sa.adii

A band of Arab brigands having taken up their position on the top of a mountain and closed the passage of caravans, the inhabitants of the country were distressed by their stratagems and the troops of the sultan foiled because the robbers, having obtained

Story 1- The Morals of Dervishes - gulistaan-e-sa.adii

Story 1 One of the great devotees having been asked about his opinion concerning a hermit whom others had censured in their conversation, he replied: 'I do not see any external blemishes on him and do not know of internal ones.' Whomsoever thou

Story 2 - The Morals of Dervishes - gulistaan-e-sa.adii

I saw a dervish who placed his head upon the threshold of the Ka'bah, groaned, and said: 'O forgiving, 0 merciful one, thou knowest what an unrighteous, ignorant man can offer to thee.' I have craved pardon for the deficiency of my service Because

Story 1-The Manners of Kings - gulistaan-e-sa.adii

I heard a padshah giving orders to kill a prisoner. The helpless fellow began to insult the king on that occasion of despair, with the tongue he had, and to use foul expressions according to the saying: Who washes his hands of life Says whatever

Story .6 - The Morals of Dervishes - gulistaan-e-sa.adii

A hermit, being the guest of a padshah, ate less than he wished when sitting at dinner and when he rose for prayers he prolonged them more than was his wont in order to enhance the opinion entertained by the padshah of his piety. O Arab of the desert,

Story 22 - The Manners of Kings - gulistaan-e-sa.adii

A king was subject to a terrible disease, the mention of which is not sanctioned by custom. The tribe of Yunani physicians agreed that this pain cannot be allayed except by means of the bile of a person endued with certain qualities. Orders having been

Story 3-The Manners of Kings - gulistaan-e-sa.adii

I have heard that a royal prince of short stature and mean presence, whose brothers were tall and good-looking, once saw his father glancing on him with aversion and contempt but he had the shrewdness and penetration to guess the meaning and said: 'O

Story 19 - The Morals of Dervishes - gulistaan-e-sa.adii

A caravan having been plundered in the Yunan country and deprived of boundless wealth, the merchants wept and lamented, beseeching God and the prophet to intercede for them with the robbers, but ineffectually. When a dark-minded robber is victorious

Story 4 - The Morals of Dervishes - gulistaan-e-sa.adii

A thief paid a visit to the house of a pious man but, although he sought a great deal, found nothing and was much grieved. The pious man, who knew this, threw the blanket upon which he had been sleeping into the way of the thief that he might not go

Story 10 - The Manners of Kings - gulistaan-e-sa.adii

I was constantly engaged in prayer, at the head of the prophet Yahia's tomb in the cathedral mosque of Damascus, when one of the Arab kings, notorious for his injustice, happened to arrive on a pilgrimage to it, who offered his supplications and asked

Story 12 - The Manners of Kings - gulistaan-e-sa.adii

An unjust king asked a devotee what kind of worship is best? He replied: 'For thee the best is to sleep one half of the day so as not to injure the people for a while.' I saw a tyrant sleeping half the day. I said: 'This confusion, if sleep removes

Story 41 - The Manners of Kings - gulistaan-e-sa.adii

Iskandur Rumi, having been asked how he had conquered the east and the west, considering that the treasures, territories, reigns and armies of former kings exceeded his own and they had not gained such a victory, replied: 'Whatever country I conquered

Story 7 - The Manners of Kings - gulistaan-e-sa.adii

A padshah was in the same boat with a Persian slave who had never before been at sea and experienced the inconvenience of a vessel. He began to cry and to tremble to such a degree that he could not be pacified by kindness, so that at last the king became

Story 6 - The Manners of Kings - gulistaan-e-sa.adii

It is narrated that one of the kings of Persia had stretched forth his tyrannical hand to the possessions of his subjects and had begun to oppress them so violently that in consequence of his fraudulent extortions they dispersed in the world and chose

Story 5 - The Manners of Kings - gulistaan-e-sa.adii

I saw at the palace-gate of Oglimish the son of a military officer who was endued with marvellous intellect, sagacity, perception and shrewdness; also the signs of future greatness manifested themselves on his forehead whilst yet a small boy. From

Story 9 - The Manners of Kings - gulistaan-e-sa.adii

An Arab king was sick in his state of decrepitude so that all hopes of life were cut off. A trooper entered the gate with the good news that a certain fort had been conquered by the good luck of the king, that the enemies had been captured and that the

Story 38 - The Manners of Kings - gulistaan-e-sa.adii

A company of philosophers were discussing a subject in the palace of Kesra and Barzachumihr, having remained silent, they asked him why he took no share in the debate. He replied: 'Veziers are like physicians and the latter give medicine to the sick

Story 15 - The Manners of Kings - gulistaan-e-sa.adii

A vezier, who had been removed from his post, entered the circle of dervishes and the blessing of their society took such effect upon him that he became contented in his mind. When the king was again favourably disposed towards him and ordered him to

Story 5 - The Morals of Dervishes - gulistaan-e-sa.adii

Several travellers were on a journey together and equally sharing each other's troubles and comforts. I desired to accompany them but they would not agree. Then I said: 'It is foreign to the manners of great men to turn away the face from the company

Story 2-The Manners of Kings - gulistaan-e-sa.adii

One of the kings of Khorasan had a vision in a dream of Sultan Mahmud, one hundred years after his death. His whole person appeared to have been dissolved and turned to dust, except his eyes, which were revolving in their orbits and looking about. All

Story 24 - The Manners of Kings - gulistaan-e-sa.adii

King Zuzan had a khajah of noble sentiments and of good aspect who served his companions when they were present and spoke well of them when they were absent. He happened to do something whereby he incurred the displeasure of the king who inflicted a

Story 21 - The Morals of Dervishes - gulistaan-e-sa.adii

Loqman, being asked from whom he had learnt civility, replied: 'From those who had no civility because what appeared to me unbecoming in them I refrained from doing.' Not a word is said even in sport Without an intelligent man taking advice thereby.

Story 8 - The Manners of Kings - gulistaan-e-sa.adii

Hormuzd, being asked what fault the veziers of his father had committed that he imprisoned them, replied: 'I discovered no fault. I saw that boundless awe of me had taken root in their hearts but that they had no full confidence in my promises, wherefore

Story 57-the Rules for Conduct in Life- gulistaan-e-sa.adii

The meekness of the camel is known to be such that if a child takes hold of its bridle and goes a hundred farsakhs, it will not refuse to follow, but if a dangerous portion occurs which may occasion death and the child ignorantly desires to approach

Story 11 - The Morals of Dervishes - gulistaan-e-sa.adii

I spoke in the cathedral mosque of Damascus a few words by way of a sermon but to a congregation whose hearts were withered and dead, not having travelled from the road of the world of form, the physical, to the world of meaning, the moral world. I perceived

Story 17 - The Manners of Kings - gulistaan-e-sa.adii

Several men were in my company whose external appearance displayed the adornment of piety. A great man who had conceived a very good opinion of these persons had assigned them a fixed allowance but, after one of them had done something unbecoming the

Story 14-the Rules for Conduct in Life- gulistaan-e-sa.adii

Whoever gives advice to a self-willed man stands himself in need of advice. Admonition 14 Swallow not the deception of a foe. Purchase not conceit from a panegyrist. The one has laid out a snare for provisions and the other has opened the jaws

Story 13- The Manners of Kings - gulistaan-e-sa.adii

I heard a king, who had changed might into day by pleasures, saying in his drunkenness: 'We have in the world no moment more delightful than this, Because I care neither for good nor for bad nor for anyone.' A naked dervish, who was sleeping

Story 23-the Excellence of Contentment- gulistaan-e-sa.adii

I heard about a wealthy man who was as well known for his avarice as Hatim Tai for his liberality. Outwardly he displayed the appearance of wealth but inwardly his sordid nature was so dominant that he would not for his life give a morsel of bread to

Story 38 - The Morals of Dervishes - gulistaan-e-sa.adii

A murid said to his pir: 'What am I to do? I am troubled by the people, many of whom pay me visits. By their coming and going they encroach upon my precious time.' He replied: 'Lend something to every one of them who is poor and ask something from every

Story 23-the Rules for Conduct in Life- gulistaan-e-sa.adii

Nothing is better for an ignorant man than silence, and if he were to consider it to be suitable, he would not be ignorant. If thou possessest not the perfection of excellence It is best to keep thy tongue within thy mouth. Disgrace is brought on

Story 13-the Advantages of Silence- gulistaan-e-sa.adii

A man used to shout superfluous calls to prayers in the mosque of Sinjar and in a voice which displeased all who heard it. The owner of the mosque, who was a just and virtuous amir, not desirous to give him pain, said: 'My good fellow, in this mosque

Story 18-the Effects of Education- gulistaan-e-sa.adii

I noticed the son of a rich man, sitting on the grave of his father and quarreling with a dervish-boy, saying: 'The sarcophagus of my father's tomb is of stone and its epitaph is elegant. The pavement is of marble, tesselated with turquois-like bricks.

Story 3-the Advantages of Silence- gulistaan-e-sa.adii

An intelligent youth possessed an abundant share of accomplishments and discreet behaviour so that he was allowed to sit in assemblies of learned men but he refrained from conversing with them. His father once asked him why he did not likewise speak

Story 36-the Rules for Conduct in Life- gulistaan-e-sa.adii

Even after falling into mud a jewel retains its costliness, and dust, although it may rise into the sky, is as contemptible as before. Capacity without education is deplorable and education without capacity is thrown away. Ashes are of high origin because

Story 24-the Rules for Conduct in Life- gulistaan-e-sa.adii

Whoever associates with bad people will see no good. If an angel associates with a demon He will learn from him fear, fraud and hypocrisy. Of the wicked thou canst learn only wickedness. A wolf will not take to sewing jackets. Admonition 17 Reveal

Story 32-the Rules for Conduct in Life- gulistaan-e-sa.adii

Sages eat slow, devotees half satisfy their appetite, recluses only eat to preserve life, youths until the dishes are removed, old men till they begin to perspire, but qalandars till no room remains in the bowels for drawing breath and no food on the

Story 46-the Rules for Conduct in Life- gulistaan-e-sa.adii

Two things are contrary to reason: to enjoy more than is decreed and to die before the time appointed. Fate will not change by a thousand laments and sighs, By thanks or complaints, issuing from the mouth. The angel appointed over the treasures

Story 26-the Rules for Conduct in Life- gulistaan-e-sa.adii

From a body without a heart obedience does not arise and a husk without a kernel is no stock in trade. Not everyone who is brisk in dispute is correct in business. Many a stature concealed by a sheet If revealed appears to be the mother of one's

Story 7-the Rules for Conduct in Life- gulistaan-e-sa.adii

To have mercy upon the bad is to injure the good; to pardon tyrants is to do violence to dervishes. If thou associatest and art friendly with a wretch He will commit sin with thy wealth and make thee his partner. Admonition 1 The amity of princes

Story 33-the Rules for Conduct in Life- gulistaan-e-sa.adii

To consult women brings on ruin and to be liberal to rebellious men crime. To have mercy on sharp-toothed tigers Is to be tyrannical towards sheep. Admonition 18 Who has power over his foe and does not slay him is his own enemy. With a stone

Story 30-the Rules for Conduct in Life- gulistaan-e-sa.adii

Whoever does not listen to advice will have occasion to hear reproof. If admonition enters not thy ear Be silent when I blame thee. Elegant saying 1 Men void of accomplishments cannot behold those who possess some, without barking like the

Story 72-the Rules for Conduct in Life- gulistaan-e-sa.adii

Gold is obtained from a mine by digging it, but from a miser by digging the soul. Vile men spend not, but preserve. They say hope of spending is better than spending. One day thou seest the wish of the foe fulfilled The gold remaining and the vile

Story 40 - The Manners of Kings - gulistaan-e-sa.adii

A Chinese slave-girl having been brought to a king, he desired to have connection with her whilst in a state of intoxication but, as she repelled him, he became angry and presented her to one of his negro-slaves whose upper lip was higher than his nostrils

Story 6-The Weakness and Old Age- gulistaan-e-sa.adii

In the folly of youth I one day shouted at my mother who then sat down with a grieved heart in a corner and said, weeping: 'Hast thou forgotten thy infancy that thou art harsh towards me?' How sweetly said the old woman to her son When she saw him overthrow

Story 82-the Rules for Conduct in Life- gulistaan-e-sa.adii

Two men died, bearing away their grief One had possessed wealth and not enjoyed it, the other knowledge and not practised it. No one sees an excellent but avaricious man Without publishing his defect But if a liberal man has a hundred faults His

Story 13 - The Morals of Dervishes - gulistaan-e-sa.adii

I saw a holy man on the seashore who had been wounded by a tiger. No medicine could relieve his pain; he suffered much but he nevertheless constantly thanked God the most high, saying: 'Praise be to Allah that I have fallen into a calamity and not into

Story 7-the Advantages of Silence- gulistaan-e-sa.adii

I heard a philosopher say that no one has ever made a confession of his own folly except he who begins speaking, whilst another has not yet finished his talk. Words have a head, O shrewd man, and a tail. Do not insert thy words between words of others. The

Story 54-the Rules for Conduct in Life- gulistaan-e-sa.adii

It is contrary to what is proper, and against the opinion of to partake of medicine by guess and to go after a caravan without seeing the road. The Imam Murshid Muhammad Ghazali, upon whom be the mercy of Allah, having been asked in what manner he had

Story 1-the Rules for Conduct in Life- gulistaan-e-sa.adii

Property is for the comfort of life, not for the accumulation of wealth. A sage, having been asked who is lucky and who is not, replied: 'He is lucky who has eaten and sowed but he is unlucky who has died and not enjoyed.' Pray not for the nobody

Saadi Shirazi