Saadi Shirazi

Sa'di] (1814-1291 / Iran

Ch 01 Manner Of Kings Story 41

Iskandur Rumi, having been asked how he had conquered the east and the west, considering that the treasures, territories, reigns and armies of former kings exceeded his own and they had not gained such a victory, replied: "Whatever country I conquered by the aid of God the most high, I abstained from distressing its population and spoke nothing but good of the king."

The intelligent will not call him great
Who speaks ill of the great.
All this is nothing as it passes away:
Throne and luck, command and prohibition, taking and giving.
Injure not the name of those who have passed away
In order that thy own name may subsist.
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