Saadi of Shiraz
Abū-Muhammad Muslih al-Dīn bin Abdallāh Shīrāzī, Saadi Shirazi (Persian: ابومحمد مصلح الدین بن عبدالله شیرازی, Arabic: سعدي الشيرازي) better known by his pen-name as Saʿdī (Persian: سعدی) or simply Saadi, was one of the major Persian poets of the medieval period. He is not only famous in Persian-speaking countries, but has also been quoted in western sources. He is recognized for the quality of his writings and for the depth of his social and moral thoughts. Saadi is widely recognized as one of the greatest masters of the classical literary tradition.
His best known works are Bostan (The Orchard) completed in 1257 and Gulistan (The Rose Garden) in 1258. Bostan is entirely in verse (epic metre) and consists of stories aptly illustrating the standard virtues recommended to Muslims (justice, liberality, modesty, contentment) as well as of reflections on the behaviour of dervishes and their ecstatic practices. Gulistan is mainly in prose and contains stories and personal anecdotes. The text is interspersed with a variety of short poems, containing aphorisms, advice, and humorous reflections. Saadi demonstrates a profound awareness of the absurdity of human existence. The fate of those who depend on the changeable moods of kings is contrasted with the freedom of the dervishes.
“However much you study, you cannot know without action. A donkey laden with books is neither an intellectual nor a wise man. Empty of essence, what learning has he whether upon him is firewood or book?”
“Every leaf of the tree becomes a page of the book, once the heart is opened and it has learnt to read.”
“Be sure, either that thou art stronger than thine enemy, or that thou hast a swifter pair of heels.”
“Whoever recounts to you the faults of your neighbour will doubtless expose your defects to others.”
“There is a difference between him who claspeth his mistress in his arms, and him whose eyes are fixed on the door expecting her.”
“The remedy against want is to moderate your desires.”
“Чувал ли си някога за създание едновременно присъстващо и отсъстващо. Аз се намирам сред хората, но сърцето ми е на друго място”