Poem

بخش ۲۳ - فی حفظ اسرارالملک و کفایته و کتمانه / Section 23 - On Keeping the Secrets of the King, His Sufficiency, and Their Concealment

Original content

با سلاطین چو گفت خواهی راز
وقت آنرا بدان چو وقت نماز

کن مراعات شاه بدخو را
چون زن زشت شوی نیکو را

شه چو بر داردت فکندش باش
چون ترا خواجه خواند بنده ش باش

دستت از داد پایگاه بنه
ور ترا سر دهد کلاه بنه

هر سری کو ز شه کله جوید
پای خود زان میان ره جوید

پادشاه ار ترا برادر خواند
دان که در قعر دوزخت بنشاند

چون بگفت این ملوک وار سخن
پس به خود گفت هوش دار ای تن

English translation

When you wish to share a secret with kings, Know its proper time as you know the time of prayer. Accommodate the ill-tempered king, As an ugly wife accommodates her handsome husband. When the king exalts you, prepare for him to cast you down; When he calls you a master, remain his servant. Withdraw your hand from demanding justice, And if he spares your head, lay down your hat. Every head that seeks a crown of honor from the king, Its feet will soon seek a way to escape. If the king calls you his brother, Know that he has seated you in the depths of hell. When he spoke these kingly words, He then said to himself: 'Be vigilant, O body!'

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Updated 2026-07-03

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Humanities

Literature

Persian Literature Prerequisite Course

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