The Dabistan

Turks, and Arabs, and such people, were promoting
the establishment of a sort of knowledge and of
some sorts of sciences; the philosophers, exerting
themselves by the aid of the reasoning faculty, be-
come founders of theoretical schools, and also lend
their assistance with respect to theology. The scope
of an Hakim is, that his reason may direct its labo-
rious efforts towards all quarters, and, inasmuch as
may be in its power, to bear a resemblance to the
Lord God, the self-existent Being. The utmost
endeavor of the prophets is, that the order of the
world may be evident to them, so that they may,
according to this order, arrange the affairs of so-
ciety. But this order of affairs cannot be exempt
from the excitement of desire, terror, and dubi-
ousness ; although, certainly, whatever the mas-
ters of law and religion have combined into a sys-
tem, may be explained by what certain eminent
philosophers have exhibited. Among other things
it is said, that the world is very ancient, and its
eternity without beginning and end indubitable.
In the sequel, a learned Hakim raises pretensions to
inspiration, excites others to the adoption of a creed
which he endeavors to render lirm. But Hakim
Kamzan assented to no inspiration, he said:—In
ancient times, sages established customs and regula-
tions for the order of the world, and, as long as the
inhabitants conformed to them, there was not the