Gulistan of Saadi
The Manners of Kings
Story 19
It is related that, whilst some game was being roasted for Nushirvan the just during a hunting party,
no salt could be found. Accordingly a boy was sent to an adjoining village to bring some. Nushirvan
said: ‘Pay for the salt lest it should become a custom and the village be ruined.’ Having been asked
what harm could arise from such a trifling demand, Nushirvan replied: ‘The foundation of oppression
was small in the world but whoever came augmented it so that it reached its present magnitude.’
If the king eats one apple from the garden of a subject
His slaves will pull him up the tree from the roots.
For five eggs which the sultan allows to be taken by force
The people belonging to his army will put a thousand fowls on the spit.
A tyrant does not remain in the world
But the curse on him abides forever.
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Gulistan of Saadi | The Manners of Kings | Story 18
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