Samples of Translated Texts 505
and complies to the necessities of the time, that the disposition of the state fol-
lows the period, and that it respects the nature of the creatures. Thus, the differ-
ent periods of a state cannot usually exceed five stages.
... The sword and the pen are most important for rulership and necessary in-
struments for the foundation of a state. At the beginning of a dynasty there is
more need for the sword, in order to secure the fulfilling of its purposes and the
application of its orders. In this period, the pen serves to have the ruler’s orders
achieved. As for the sword, it is appointed to assist in attaining his aims and ac-
quiring his demands. Moreover, during the aforementioned period of weakness
and decline of power, which happens in the latter days of a dynasty, imploring
assistance from the men of the sword and being in need of them is certain; in
these two stages, the superiority of the sword over the pen is obvious ... But in
the middle period of a dynasty and during the period of its greatest power, the
stabilization of affairs makes it able, up to a point, to do without the sword. In
contrast, it is established that there is need for the pen to be used, for tasks such
as collecting benefits and revenues, gathering of taxes, controlling the budget,
and carrying out orders. Thus, in this period the power of the pen is elevated and
the men of the pen are more esteemed than the men of the sword.
... Let it be known that in the last age of every state, that of stagnation, which
covers the fourth and fifth stages, expenses always exceed income. In such cir-
cumstances, it is imperative that [the state] tries as far as it can simply to in-
crease revenues and decreases expenses, so it reaches a [level of ] stability and
that completely removes the deficiencies described. At length, the decrease in
expenses according to necessity and the ordering of various other issues requires
the compelling power of an enforcerer ... In the aforementioned stages, the care-
ful administrators who try to find solutions first must give some breathing space
to the treasury by removing the trouble of campaigns until the army regains its
power. Then, they should gradually try to reorder the cities and help the people
recover.
... The following remarks are derived from ancient philosophers; some wise
men are reported to have attributed them to Derviş Paşa. There are three means
of gaining wealth: agriculture, commerce, and political authority. Crafts have
also been considered by some as a fourth means; nevertheless, it would be prop-
er to limit the means of wealth to the three mentioned above since most artisans
are unable to provide for their livingthemselves with a livelihood since they keep
of the produce of their crafts barely enough to subsist on while most of the fruit
of the labor falls to the rich merchants of that particular commodity. It has been
traditionally been the case that agriculture and trade have been the more profit-
able [to an individual] in direct proportion to [his] power and position in soci-
ety. This is so because people serve a person of power and high position, work for