Story of the miserly father and the generous son حکایت ممسک و فرزند ناخلف
Story of the Miserly Father and the Generous Son (حکایت ممسک و فرزند ناخلف) is from Chapter II, On Beneficence (در احسان) of Saadi’s Bustan (بوستان, “The Orchard”), written in 1257. The Persian verses are given with a rhymed English translation, couplet by couplet.
Bustan Saadi بوستان سعدی
| One departed and left earthly treasure behind; His successor was gen’rous and prudent in mind . He did not, like misers, clutch greedily gold; Over it, like the free, he relinquished his hold. | یکی رفت و دینار از او صد هزار خلف برد صاحبدلی هوشیار نه چون ممسکان دست بر زر گرفت چو آزادگان دست از او بر گرفت |
| His palace was filled with the needy and poor, And travellers lived in his guest-house secure. He made kinsmen and strangers, in spirit, content; And was not, like his father, on hoarding-up bent. | ز درویش خالی نبودی درش مسافر به مهمان سرای اندرش دل خویش و بیگانه خرسند کرد نه همچون پدر سیم و زر بند کرد |
| A reprover addressed him Oh squandering hand! Do not scatter, at once, all you have in command! In a year you can one harvest, only, obtain; It is silly to burn, in one moment, the grain! | ملامت کنی گفتش ای باد دست به یک ره پریشان مکن هرچه هست به سالی توان خرمن اندوختن به یک دم نه مردی بود سوختن |
| If you do not have patience in times of distress, Look to your accounts when you plenty possess”! | چو در دست تنگی نداری شکیب نگه دار وقت فراخی حسیب |
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by: Reza about (category: Bustan Saadi)
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