Religion

As to the Nature of Fidelity

by Sa'di of Shiraz c. 1210–1291

Translated by Arthur N. Wollaston (1906) · From Sadi's Scroll of Wisdom (1906)

Religion

O soul! be firm footed as regards fidelity,
For money hath no currency without its stamp.
If thou turnest not the rein from the path of fidelity,
Thou wilt be a friend in the hearts of thine enemies.
Turn not thy soul's face from the abode of fidelity,
That thou be not ashamed before the face of thy friends.
Place not thy foot outside the street of fidelity,
Since tyranny is not fitting in the case of friends.
It is wrong to separate thyself from beloved ones;
It is contrary to fidelity to sever thyself from thy comrades.
Want of fidelity is the attribute of women.
Do not learn the unseemly conduct of that sex.

MLA

Shiraz, Sa'di of. “As to the Nature of Fidelity.” Translated by Arthur N. Wollaston. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/sadi/17/.

Chicago

Shiraz, Sa'di of. “As to the Nature of Fidelity.” Translated by Arthur N. Wollaston. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/sadi/17/.

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