Original content

English translation

Fakhri Jorjani - may God the Exalted have mercy upon him - is among the most eminent and learned men of the age. The measure of the perfection of his learning and the precision of his poetry is the book of Vis and Ramin, which in this age is neglected and hard to find. These few verses are drawn from various passages of that book:

Pleasing is this point from those who know the world: that battle is easy for the mere onlooker.

That golden basin is not fitting for me, in which the enemy would behold my blood.

A snake bears no offspring save a snake; an evil branch yields naught but evil-fruited seed.

A journey is not pleasant even in full health; consider then how it fares amid pain and weakness.

The rose and the narcissus are fair to behold, yet they are bitter in the tasting.

To conceal a sin that has been committed is far better than to speak of one that never was.

The likeness of a king is like fire; by nature, fire is ever rebellious.

Even with the strength of an elephant and the temper of a lion, do not be bold before burning fire.