Ch 03 On The Excellence Of Contentment Story 26

I have seen a fat fool, dressed in a costly robe, with a turban of Egyptian linen on his head, riding on an Arab horse. Someone said: ‘Sa’di, what thinkest thou of this famous brocade upon this ignorant animal?’ I replied: ‘It is like ugly characters scrawled with gold-water.’

      Verily he is like an ass among men,  
      A calf, a body which is bleating.  
      This animal cannot be said to resemble a man  
      Except in his cloak, turban and outward adornment.  
      Examine all his property and belongings of his estate  
      Thou wilt find nothing lawful to take except his blood.  
      If a noble man becomes impoverished imagine not  
      That his high worth will also decrease.  
      But if into a silver threshold golden nails are driven  
      By a Jew, think not that he will thereby become noble.