_Eulogy of Good-nature_
O precious pearl of the sea of life, chosen model of the beauty of
virtues! practise modesty, have always a dervish’s heart. Content
thyself with little, practise humility: shoot forth roots in the
garden-plot of the roses of prosperity. Mildness, politeness, and good
deeds will win to thee all unprejudiced men. Is it fitting for
good-nature to knit the brow and contract the forehead? Kindness and
urbanity of character brighten the mirror of the heart. As truly as a
smiling countenance is an indication of the mercy of God, so is a sullen
face a cause for reprobation.
Bad morals, reprehensible habits, and ill-humor lead to eternal
damnation. How insupportable are the manners of whomsoever is given to
haughtiness! Presumption is a diabolical fault unknown to the court of
angels. Have no intercourse with the vainglorious; fly from him. If thou
be forced to sit near him, show humility. The wise men, although with
apparent moderation, have said: Be proud with him who is proud; but as
thereby there may be cause for discord, hasten to avoid it by thy
humility. Pride and presumption in human nature are an inevitable malady
and incurable wound. He who falls into this abyss cannot prosper; the
hurt of his misfortune becomes incurable.
Suffer not thyself to be intoxicated by honors and dignities; expose not
thus thy brow to the wrath of the lord. Grandeur and eminence are
fitting in God; but what can they accomplish in a slave? Let all thy
ways be submissive: never reach forth thy hand to do wrong to another.
If pride and haughtiness appear in thee, God will raise up enemies for
thee even among thy kindred. Let us suppose that thy rank lifts thee to
heaven, thou art none the less the last of the slaves of the Lord.
Repulse no one from thy door harshly; give neither thy hand nor the hem
of thy robe to be kissed.
However high placed thou mayst be, do not exact servile homage. It is
thou who shouldst prostrate thy countenance on the ground: is it fitting
for a slave to have his hand and his garment kissed? Do not conceive a
false opinion of thy own worth; as much as possible, do not take
precedence. Many candidates aspire to precedence, and perhaps they will
obtain it before thee. Boast to no one of thy rank and importance, for
fear of becoming a burden to him. Salute others with mildness and
modesty; oblige no one to remain standing. If thou art treated with
honor, there is nothing better; if otherwise, dispute not. If modesty
and good form reign in thy conduct, doubtless consideration will be
shown in turn to thee. Modesty is the ornament of the countenance of
faith; effrontery is pernicious in this world and the next. Let morality
perfect good-nature in thee; then see how many joys there are in
modesty!
Morality is the ornament of man; without it, he is but the slave of
Satan. Because he was without it, the envious one was driven from the
throne of celestial mercy. At the last judgment, on the day of the final
catastrophe, thou wilt not be able to lift thy head nor turn thy eyes.
But the judgment of God is omnipresent; his eye embraces all that is. In
the eyes of his omniscience there is no difference between this world
and the world to come. The Creator is beyond the vicissitudes of
fortune; no change can affect him. Knowing that he is omnipresent and
all-seeing, how dost thou dare to break the laws of morality?
Show not to the foolish the depths of thy heart; hearken unto the
prophets, practise their teachings. Did not the Apostle of God receive
the order to act with wise dissimulation? Without it, thou wilt have no
repose, says the Glory of the World, the Spring of all Wisdom. It is for
thee as a protecting arm; without its aid, how many quarrels and
disputes! It is the surest rampart against all the troubles of the
world. Do not turn like the wind in all directions; like the sun, do not
shine on the doors of all. Do not reveal thy secrets to strangers; open
not to fools the gate to thy private affairs. Give not thy confidence to
the first comer; do not retail in public what regards thee alone. Do not
believe that all men are sincere, but do not look upon them all as
hypocrites. Be not blinded by the praises that thou dost receive; be not
loath to overcome thy passions. How could these praises lavished on thee
be free from hypocrisy?
For myself I see no difference between the stings of the wasp and the
flattering words of the foolish. If they have nothing to hope from thee,
they will never gather in thy house. On a festival day, do not go to
anyone’s house without an invitation, nor to the homes of any save the
honorable. Let the gatherings that thou dost frequent be composed of
pious men. Let them not be meetings of corruption and perversity. While
thou must acknowledge an invitation, wilt thou not be out of place where
thy honor is compromised? When thou art in an assembly, abuse neither
speech nor silence; use in turn thy tongue and thy ear. Let thy words
like pearls be as brief as possible. Govern thy speech according to this
motto: brevity and clearness. Man has only one tongue and two ears;
speak, then, little and listen much.
However, if a garrulous person evinces stupidity the silent man ends by
becoming burdensome. Speak neither too little nor too much; keep a
correct medium. Be neither stupid nor importune. He who holds the
scales of good education said: to speak too much availeth a man nothing.
Do not recite in public the praises of God; prayer should be hidden in
solitude; before others it is only hypocrisy and importunity; a terrible
chastisement will be its just award.
Never reply harshly; when thou speakest to anyone let it be with sweet
courtesy. Reproach no one face to face with his hidden faults; lend to
his discourse a friendly ear. Never expose the ignorance of anyone. Why
cover with confusion a creature of God? Take care not to strike with the
weapon of slander; an eternal penalty will be its punishment. The
penetration of him who has given thee the jewel of knowledge has shown
him that ignorance was well for thy brother. Such is the providential
dispensation of the Creator; so has ordained the justice of his
omnipotence. Let these words be the ornament of thy mouth; woe unto thee
if thou dost not heed them!
Renounce injustice and violence; never utter harsh words that wound the
heart. Be generous, whatever happens, O soul of my soul; let thy tongue
outrage no one! To wound thy brother to the heart is the worst of sins,
the greatest of all iniquities. Labor with ardor to raise up those who
have fallen; wouldst thou desire to overthrow the throne of the Lord?
Will the avenging God suffer a temple to be ruined from dome to
foundation? Light of mine eyes! be convinced that there is no pardon for
such a sin.