Story ON THE MEANING OF KINDNESS حکایت معنی محبت
Story on the Meaning of Kindness (حکایت معنی محبت) 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
| Some one crossing the desert a thirsty dog found; The last breath was just left in the life of the hound That Faith-approved man used as bucket his hat, And in place of a rope, tied Ijis turban to that | یکی در بیابان سگی تشنه یافت برون از رمق در حیاتش نیافت کله دلو کرد آن پسندیده کیش چو حبل اندر آن بست دستار خویش |
| He bared both his arms and made ready to save ; To the poor, helpless animal, water he. gave. The Prophet, the state of that person explained,. And release for his sin from the Maker obtained. | به خدمت میان بست و بازو گشاد سگ ناتوان را دمی آب داد خبر داد پیغمبر از حال مرد که داور گناهان از او عفو کرد |
| If you are a tyrant, , beware and reflect ! The path of the gen’rous and faithful, select ! He, in saving a dog, did not sympathy waste ; When is goodness in keeping, of good men effaced ? | الا گر جفا کردی اندیشه کن وفا پیش گیر و کرم پیشه کن یکی با سگی نیکویی گم نکرد کجا گم شود خیر با نیکمرد؟ |
| Be as- gen’rous as ever you possibly can ! God shuts not the portal of joy upon man;. | کرم کن چنان کت برآید زدست جهانبان در خیر بر کس نبست |
| If you have not a well in the desert to show, Put a lamp in the place unto which pilgrims go | |
| Gold bestowed from a treasure in sackfuls, like spoil. Does not match one diiar? from the hard hand of Toil. | به قنطار زر بخش کردن ز گنج نباشد چو قیراطی از دسترنج |
| A man in accord with his strength carries weight ; In front of an emmet, a locust’s leg’s great ! | برد هر کسی بار در خورد زور گران است پای ملخ پیش مور |
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by: Reza about (category: Bustan Saadi)
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