God any one falls

When by the will of God any one falls, the whole world trample upon his head: when they see good fortune befriending him, they raise him with their hands upon their breasts. In short, I was overwhelmed with persecutions, until this week, when the good news of the safe arrival of the pilgrims being received, I was released from close confinement, with the confiscation of my patrimonial estate.” I replied, “At that time you would not listen to my suggestion, that the service of kings is like voyaging on the sea, profitable but hazardous; either you acquire riches, or perish in the waves. The merchant either gains the shore with both hands full of gold, or else one day the waves cast him dead upon the beach.”

I did not think it advisable to afflict his inward wound with more scratching nor to sprinkle salt upon it, but satisfied myself with repeating the two following lines: “Know you not, that you will see your feet in fetters, when you listen not to the admonition of mankind? Another time, if you are not able to endure the sting, put not your finger into the scorpion’s hole.

TALE XVII

I was used to associate with a body of men, whose conduct had the appearance of correctness. A person of consequence entertained very favorable sentiments of them, and had assigned a fixed pension for. their support; but one of them having done something unbecoming the character of Durweshes, they forfeited his good opinion, and their market was injured. I wanted, by some means or other, to obtain for my friends a restitution of the pension.

I went to wait on the great man, but the porter rudely refused me admittance. I excused him in conformity to the saying, that if you approach the gate of either the Meer, the Vizier, or the Sultan, without any one to introduce you, when the dog and the porter discern that you are poor, this seizes your collar and the other lays hold of your skirt. When the great man’s principal attendants were apprized of my case, they conducted me in with respect, and assigned me a place of distinction; but I humbly seated myself lower, and said, “Excuse me, for I am an inferior; suffer me to seat myself in the rank of servants.”