Story on magnanimity حکایت در معنی عزت نفس مردان
Story on Magnanimity (حکایت در معنی عزت نفس مردان) is from Chapter IV, On Humility (در تواضع) 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
| A dog bit the foot of a desert recluse. With such fury, that blood from its fangs dropped profuse. The helpless one slept not at night, being pained; In his household a daughter unmarried remained. | سگی پای صحرا نشینی گزید به خشمی که زهرش ز دندان چکید شب از درد بیچاره خوابش نبرد به خیل اندرش دختری بود خرد |
| She was harsh to her father and showed temper hot; Saying, ” You, too, at least, have got teeth, have you not? After weeping, the man of unfortunate day, Said, smiling, “Oh mistress with heart-lighting ray! | پدر را جفا کرد و تندی نمود که آخر تو را نیز دندان نبود؟ پس از گریه مرد پراگنده روز بخندید کای مامک دلفروز |
| Although I was also superior in pow’r, I restrained my desire and my teeth at that hour. Did a sword cleave my head, yet, I never could think That my teeth in the foot of a dog I should sink. | مرا گر چه هم سلطنت بود و بیش دریغ آمدم کام و دندان خویش محال است اگر تیغ بر سر خورم که دندان به پای سگ اندر برم |
| Towards no-bodies, exercise meanness you can; But a dog never yet has come out of a man.” | توان کرد با ناکسان بدرگی ولیکن نیاید ز مردم سگی |
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by: Reza about (category: Bustan Saadi)
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