The Bustan of Sadi

The Bustan of Sadi
By Sadi (trans. A. Hart Edwards)

The Bustan ("Orchard") is the great didactic poem of Sadi of Shiraz, the 13th-century Persian poet whose work on ethics, statecraft, and human conduct has been read across the Persian and Islamic world for over seven centuries. Through stories and parables, Sadi explores justice, generosity, love, contentment, and the proper conduct of rulers and ordinary people alike.

This edition is A. Hart Edwards's 1911 English translation, part of the "Wisdom of the East" series, bringing Sadi's practical wisdom and storytelling craft to English readers.

A public-domain work, offered as a free digital edition by Nile Book Store.

Excerpt

In the name of Him who created and sustains the world, the Sage who endowed tongue with speech.

He attains no honour who turns the face from the door of His mercy.

The kings of the earth prostrate themselves before Him in supplication.

He seizes not in haste the disobedient, nor drives away the penitent with violence. The two worlds are as a drop of water in the ocean of His knowledge.

He withholds not His bounty though His servants sin; upon the surface of the earth has He spread a feast, in which both friend and foe may share.

Peerless He is, and His kingdom is eternal. Upon the head of one He placeth a crown; another he hurleth from the throne to the ground.