In Section 10 of Attar's Mosibat Nameh, a story is told of the ancient philosopher Plato who weeps bitterly upon hearing that an ignorant man has praised him.

Plato explains his sorrow through a profound spiritual paradox: if a foolish person is pleased by his words or actions, it implies that he must have acted or spoken ignorantly himself, necessitating immediate repentance.

Key Teachings:

• The Peril of Foolish Praise: For the wise, the approval of the ignorant is a source of spiritual bondage or punishment, indicating an underlying flaw or superficiality in one's own character.
• The Value of Righteous Approval: A single moment of praise from a person of heart or spiritual insight is infinitely more valuable than the empty praise of a hundred ignorant spectators.
• Self-Examination and Humility: The allegory serves as a call for continuous self-assessment, warning seekers on the spiritual path to be wary of worldly reputation and the vanity of public adulation.