Aphorism 19

Iraqi style
English

Aphorism 19

Two people are the enemies of country and faith: a king without patience and a devout man without knowledge. May no country ever have a ruler in charge who is not himself an obedient servant of God.
Explanation: Saadi's point is that a ruler who won't obey God cannot expect his own subjects to obey him.

Original · Persian

حکمت شمارهٔ ۱۹

دو کس دشمن ملک و دینند: پادشاه بی حلم و زاهد بی علم.
بر سر مُلک مباد آن مَلِکِ فرمانده که خدا را نبُوَد بندهٔ فرمانبردار