English
On Raising Children
When your son passes ten years of age, tell him to sit apart from those who are not close family.
You cannot set fire beside cotton; before you blink, the whole house burns down.
If you want your name to live on, teach your son wisdom and good judgment.
For if he lacks intelligence and sound character, you will die and leave no one behind.
Many a son has suffered great hardship because his father raised him too tenderly.
Raise him to be wise and self-restrained; if you truly love him, do not spoil him.
While he is young, discipline and teach him; promise rewards for good and warn against bad.
For the young learner, praise and encouragement, a warm 'well done', work better than scolding and threats.
Teach the one you raise to earn with his own hands, even if you hold treasure like Croesus.
Do not rely on the wealth you have; it can happen that riches do not remain in hand.
A purse of silver and gold runs out, but the craftsman's purse is never empty.
How do you know that the turning of fortune won't drive him into exile, far from home?
If he has a trade to fall back on, where would he ever need to beg from anyone?
Don't you know how Sa'di reached his goal? He crossed no desert, parted no sea.
In his youth he took blows from his elders; in maturity God gave him a pure and clear spirit.
Whoever bends his neck to obey will soon enough rise to give commands himself.
A child who never feels the strictness of a teacher will feel the cruelty of the world instead.
Treat your son well and give him comfort, so his eyes never stay fixed on others' hands.
Whoever fails to care for his own child leaves another to 'care' for him and disgrace him.
Keep him away from bad company, for they will make him wretched and lost, just like themselves.