The Dabistan

129

to thee a remedy is difficult. It may become thee
to listen to excuses, and to look with half-shut eyes
at some faults; for there is no man without guilt or
defect; rebuke sometimes renders him but bolder;
sometimes depresses him beyond measure. There
are men who must be reprehended at each fault;
there are others in whom a thousand faults must be
overlooked; in short, the affair of punishment does
not suit the dignity of the important concerns of
royalty, and is to be carried with calmness and
judgment to its proper aim. A governor ought to
grant all facilities to God-fearing and zealous men,
and to inquire from them the good and the bad,
never ceasing to collect information : for royalty
and command borrow security from vigilance. He
ought not to oppose the creed and religion of the
creatures of God: inasmuch as a wise man chooses
not his loss in the affairs of this perishable world,
how in those of religion, which is permanent and eter-
nal, should he knowingly tend to his perdition? If
God be with his faith, then thou thyself earnest on
controversy and opposition against God; and if God
fails him, and he unknowingly takes the wrong
way, then he proves to himself a rule of erroneous
profession, which demands pity and assistance,
not enmity or contradiction. Those who act aiul
think well, bear friendship to every sect. Besides,
they avoid excess in sleeping and eating, without