On Knowing Friend from Foe

I heard that Darius, of blessed lineage, got separated from his army during a hunt one day. A herdsman came running toward him, and the fortunate king said to himself: Perhaps this is an enemy coming to fight; from a distance I will pierce him with a poplar arrow. He drew the royal bow taut and in an instant meant to turn the man's life into nothing. The man cried: My lord of Iran and Turan, may the evil eye stay far from your days. I am the one who raises the king's horses; I serve here in this pasture. The king's frightened heart returned to him; he laughed and said: You of poor judgment, The blessed angel came to your aid, or else I would have set the string to my ear and shot. The keeper of the meadow smiled and said: A rich man should not hide sound advice. It is neither praiseworthy planning nor good sense that a great king cannot tell his enemy from his friend. The rule of living in high rank is this: that you know every lesser man and who he is. You have seen me many times at court; you have asked me about the herds and the pastures. Now that I came to greet you with love, you cannot tell me apart from someone who wishes you harm. I can, O renowned king, single out one horse from among a hundred thousand. I herd with intelligence and judgment; you too should watch over your own flock. That throne and kingdom were bound for ruin and grief where the king's planning fell short of a shepherd's.