How to make fireworks

An Indian was teaching others how to make fireworks, when a wise man said to him, “This is not a fit play for you who inhabit a house made of reeds.”

Until you are persuaded that the discourse is strictly proper, speak not; and whatever you know will not obtain a favorable answer, ask not.

Complained to the magistrate

A little man being struck with a pain in his eyes went to a farrier, desiring him to apply a remedy. The farrier applying to his eyes what he was used to administer to quadrupeds, the man became blind; upon which he complained to the magistrate. The magistrate said, “Get away; there is no plea for the damages; for if this fellow had not been an ass, he would not have applied to the farrier.”

The application of this story is, that whosoever employs an inexperienced person on a weighty matter, besides suffering repentance, will, in the opinion of the wise, be considered of a weak understanding. The wise man, of enlightened mind, entrusts not an important business to one of mean abilities. The mat-maker, although a weaver, yet is not employed in the silk manufactory.

Lost a worthy son

A certain great man having lost a worthy son, they asked, what inscription should be put upon his grave-stone? The father replied, “The verses of the Koran are too sacred and holy to be written on such a place as this, exposed to be effaced by the trampling of men’s feet and to be defiled by dogs. If there is a necessity of writing something, the following lines will be sufficient: ‘0 the season when verdure bedecked the garden, then how blithe was my heart! Wait, my friend, until the return of spring, when you will behold grass growing out of my clay.’ ”

Arselan and Aghoash

A holy man passing by a rich man, who having bound a slave hand and feet was punishing him, said, “ 0 my son, God has made subject to thee a human creature like thyself, and has given thee the superiority over him, for which return thanks to God, and do not suffer such violence to be committed. It will not be proper that tomorrow in the Resurrection, this slave should be better than thyself, and that thou shoulders suffer shame.

Be not angry beyond measure with your slave; oppress him not; neither distress his feelings. Thou hast bought him for ten dimers, but after all thou didst not create him. To what length wilt thou carry this pride, insolence, and rage? Thou hast a master greater than thyself. 0 thou who hast for thy slaves Arselan and Aghoash, forget not thy superior lord. There is a tradition of the Prophet having said, ‘That the greatest mortification at the Day of Judgment will be when the pious slave is carried to paradise, and the wicked master condemned to hell.’ Upon the slaves, whose services you can command, exercise not boundless severity nor capriciousness, for it will be disgraceful, in the day of recknoning, to see the slave at liberty and the master in chains.”