Justice, again
Following up from this. Here is the relevant section of The Beharistan (The Abode of Spring), by Nur ad-Din Abd ar-Rahman Jami, translated by Richard Francis Burton, starting at page 43. This contains a somewhat different translation of the quote I was interested in (in bold at the bottom there).
It is a bit disappointing to see the fuller context; Jami's "Thou mayst again oppression try", and "for the next world" (what about this world?) are less than I would have hoped for. On the other hand, he was presuming to dictate to powerful religious autocrats; perhaps his words should be considered in their historical context.
THIRD GARDEN
Explanation of the blooming of blossoms from the plantation
of government and administration, which contains fruits
of justice and equity, to show that the wisdom of
Sultâns consists in the practice of righteousness,
and not in the display of pomp and glory.
Although Nushirvân was a stranger to religion he was unique in justice and uprightness, so that the prince of created beings (upon whom be the most excellent benedictions) has said, boasting:-“ I was born in the time of the just king Nushirvân.”*
Verses:
The prophet who in the reign of Nushirvân
Became the eye and the lamp of the world,
Has said:-“ I am preserved from tyranny,
For I was born in the time of Nushirvân.”
How well did that kind adviser say
Into the heart of a tyrannic king :-
“Be on thy guard of the darkness of tyranny,
Practice justice for an experiment,
If justice does not pay better than tyranny
Thou mayst again oppression try.”
STORY
It is recorded in chronicles that Guebres and Moghs** enjoyed dominion for five thousand years, which remained in their dynasty because they governed their subjects justly, and tolerated no oppression.
Maxim:
There is a tradition that God the Most High sent the following revelation to David (salutation to him) :-“ Tell thy people not to speak evil of the kings of Persia, nor to insult them, because they made the world populous through justice, that my worshippers may live at ease therein.”
Verses:
Be aware that justice and equity, not unbelief nor religion
Are needed for the maintenance of the kingdom.
Justice without religion is for the next world
Better than the tyranny of a religious Shâh.
*Kesra Nushirvan, the just, was a Zoroastrian, and Muhammad was born during his reign.
** Zoroastrians and Magi.
It is a bit disappointing to see the fuller context; Jami's "Thou mayst again oppression try", and "for the next world" (what about this world?) are less than I would have hoped for. On the other hand, he was presuming to dictate to powerful religious autocrats; perhaps his words should be considered in their historical context.
THIRD GARDEN
Explanation of the blooming of blossoms from the plantation
of government and administration, which contains fruits
of justice and equity, to show that the wisdom of
Sultâns consists in the practice of righteousness,
and not in the display of pomp and glory.
Although Nushirvân was a stranger to religion he was unique in justice and uprightness, so that the prince of created beings (upon whom be the most excellent benedictions) has said, boasting:-“ I was born in the time of the just king Nushirvân.”*
Verses:
The prophet who in the reign of Nushirvân
Became the eye and the lamp of the world,
Has said:-“ I am preserved from tyranny,
For I was born in the time of Nushirvân.”
How well did that kind adviser say
Into the heart of a tyrannic king :-
“Be on thy guard of the darkness of tyranny,
Practice justice for an experiment,
If justice does not pay better than tyranny
Thou mayst again oppression try.”
STORY
It is recorded in chronicles that Guebres and Moghs** enjoyed dominion for five thousand years, which remained in their dynasty because they governed their subjects justly, and tolerated no oppression.
Maxim:
There is a tradition that God the Most High sent the following revelation to David (salutation to him) :-“ Tell thy people not to speak evil of the kings of Persia, nor to insult them, because they made the world populous through justice, that my worshippers may live at ease therein.”
Verses:
Be aware that justice and equity, not unbelief nor religion
Are needed for the maintenance of the kingdom.
Justice without religion is for the next world
Better than the tyranny of a religious Shâh.
*Kesra Nushirvan, the just, was a Zoroastrian, and Muhammad was born during his reign.
** Zoroastrians and Magi.