The Man Who Fell From the Ladder

I heard that an evil-doer fell from a ladder and gave up his life in that very instant. His son wept for a few days, then went back to sitting with his friends. In a dream he saw his father and asked how things were: how did you fare with the resurrection, the reckoning, and the questioning? He said, my son, do not make me tell the tale: I fell straight into hell from that ladder. A good nature, plain and without pretense, is better than a fine reputation with rot inside. To me, a highwayman who robs at night is better than a corrupt man dressed in a saint's clothes. The man who wears himself out serving people's approval, what reward will God give him on Judgment Day? My son, do not expect wages from Amr when you are working in Zeid's house. I will not say anyone can reach the Beloved on this road, except the one whose face is turned toward Him. Walk the straight road so you reach your destination; you are not even on the road, and so you fall behind. You are like the ox at the oil press whose eyes are covered: running all day, yet at night it is right where it started. If someone turns his face away from the prayer niche, the whole town will testify to his disbelief. But you too have your back to the true direction in prayer, if your face is not truly turned toward God in need. Nurture a tree whose roots are firm, for one day it will bear fruit. If the root of sincerity is not planted in your soil, no one is more deprived of its fruit than you. Whoever scatters seed on bare stone will not gather a single grain at harvest time. Do not put your trust in the honor of hypocrisy, for beneath that water lies mud. If inwardly I am wicked and worthless, what good is a show of respectability on the surface? It is easy to stitch a dervish robe for show and pretense, but can you sell it to God? How can people know who is beneath the garment? Only the Writer knows what is written in the book. What weight can a sack full of wind carry where the scales are justice and the court is truth? The hypocrite who displayed so much piety was examined, and his sack held nothing at all. People make the outer cloth finer than the lining, since the lining is hidden and the outside is seen. The great ones had no care for others' eyes; that is why their lining was of silk. But if you want your fame spread through the land, wear a fine outer garment, though inside be only stuffing. Bayazid did not say it as a joke: I feel safer from the disbeliever than from my own disciple. Those who are sultans and kings of kings are, one and all, beggars at this threshold. The man of true meaning sets no hope on a beggar; you should not clutch at a hand already fallen. It is better, if you carry a pearl within, to close upon yourself like an oyster shell. Since your face of worship is turned toward God, it is fine even if the angel Gabriel does not see you. Saadi's counsel is enough for you, my son, if you take it to heart like a father's advice. If you will not hear our words today, may you not be filled with regret tomorrow. From now on you must find yourself an adviser; I do not know what will become of you after I am gone.