Story 24

Iraqi style
English

Story 24

I complained to one of the elders: so-and-so has testified to my corruption. He said: then shame him with your good conduct! Live well and honestly, so that the one who wishes you harm finds no opening to speak of your faults. When the lute's strings are perfectly in tune, how could it ever get a scolding twist from the player's hand?
Explanation: The final couplet plays on tuning a lute: a musician twists a string only when it is out of tune, just as critics only reproach those who give them cause.

Original · Persian

حکایت شمارهٔ ۲۴

پیشِ یکی از مشایخ گله کردم که: فلان به فَسادِ من گواهی داده است.
گفتا: به صَلاحش خجل کن!
تو نیکو روِش باش تا بَدسگال به نقصِ تو گفتن نیابد مَجال
چو آهنگِ بربَط بود مستقیم کی از دستِ مطرب خورد گوشمال؟