On Justice, Tyranny, and Their Fruits

Have you heard about the old kings of Persia, who oppressed the people beneath them? Neither their splendor and power endured, nor did their cruelty toward the villager last. See the wrong that a tyrant's hand committed: the world went on, but he departed with his crimes. Blessed on Judgment Day is the body of the just ruler, for he finds his place in the shade of God's throne. To a people whose good God desires, He gives a king who is just and wise in counsel. But when He wills a world to fall to ruin, He places its kingdom in a tyrant's grip. Good men keep their distance from such a man, for a tyrant is the wrath of God made real. Know your greatness comes from Him and be grateful, for the blessing of the ungrateful slips away. If you give thanks for this kingdom and wealth, you will reach a wealth and kingdom that never fades. But if you rule with cruelty, after your reign you will end up begging. Sweet sleep is forbidden to a king while the weak bear the burden of the strong. Do not harm a common man by even a grain, for the king is the shepherd and the people his flock. When they meet only strife and injustice from him, he is no shepherd but a wolf: cry out against him. He came to a bad end and thought wickedly, the one who made cruelty toward his subjects his trade. Through hardship and weakness he will pass on, but a bad name will cling to him for years. If you do not want the lowly to curse you, be good, so no one speaks ill of you.