506 appendix 2
his gain both with their labor and with their funds, without asking for immediate
remuneration, hoping to become closer to him and expecting future benefits.
Some others fear his power and oppression and therefore give up an expected
share of their profits, or they too may work for him. Thus, in either of these two
ways, the payment for the people’s services and one-fourth of their labor being
due to the person of position, he should amass a huge fortune in a short time.
If a ruler or governor is not able to expand his capital, to increase his income
or to obtain necessary supplies through engaging in commerce and agriculture,
he is afflicted by two kinds of evil and will be damned in this world and the next.
One of these evils is that he will be forced to violate the people’s property and
seize their money and goods; thus he will become an oppressor. The second evil
is that he will not be able to keep the money that he wrongfully seized from the
people; he will spend it on necessities like food and clothing and other supplies;
this money in the end will fall into the hands of perfidious speculators and usu-
rers while he will fall into shame and ignominy. He will, in effect, have gained for
speculators and usurers; he himself will be burdened with the consequences of
these evil deeds. Thus, all such a ruler is able to achieve is the destruction of the
country and the dispersal of its people.23 Defterdar Sarı Mehmed Pasha (See Chapter 8)
From Nesâ’ıhü’l-vüzerâ ve’l-ümerâ veya Kitab-ı güldeste (“Advice for viziers and states-
men, or a book containing a bunch of flowers”), translated by Walter Livingston
Wright:27
And let not the matter of establishing market prices be passed over with the mere
intrusting it to judges and inspectors of weights and measures. It is essential at
all times for every ruler to keep track of the small things relating to the general
condition of the people. He must set the proper market prices. Every thing must
be sold at the price it is worth. For in case the padishah and the vezirs say: “The
fixing of market prices, though part of the public business, is insignificant,” and
are not diligent about it, the city judge alone cannot carry it out. Since he has
no connection with matters of policy, he cannot enter upon that path. Under
such circumstances, every one buys and sells as he pleases. Through senseless
avarice the venom of vipers is added to lawful goods. The most contemptible of
the people, useless both for the service of the padishah and for warfare, become27 Defterdar – Wright 1935, 77–78 and 98–99.