a tahil in two! That is not proper in a minister; you are not worthy of the name,"
and he forthwith deposed him from office.
In the Kitab Sifat-el-Molouk it is related that the King Chabour, giving his last
instructions to his son, said as follows: "O my son! whenever you make a present
to anyone, do not bestow it with your own hands. Do not even examine or have
brought into your own presence the gifts that you make. Whenever you give a
present, see that it be at least the equivalent of the revenue of a town in value, so
that it will enrich the recipients, and make them and their children and
grandchildren free from adversity. Furthermore, my child, beware all your life of
giving yourself up to operations of commerce in your kingdom. For this kind of
affairs is unworthy a king who has greatness of character, prosperity, and birth."
King Harmuz received one day a letter from his minister in which he said:
"Many merchants being in town with a great quantity of jewels, pearls,
hyacinths, rubies, diamonds, and other precious stones, I bought all they had for
your Majesty, paying 200,000 tahil. Immediately afterward there arrived some
merchants from another country who wanted to buy these and offered me a
profit of 200,000 tahil. If the King consents I will sell the jewels, and later buy
others."
King Harmuz wrote to his minister the following response: "What are 200,000
tahil? What are 400,000 tahil, profit included? Is that worth talking about and
making so much ado? If you are going into the operations of commerce who will
look after the government? If you buy and sell, what will become of the
merchants? It is evident that you would destroy thus our good renown, and that
you are the enemy of the merchants of our kingdom, for your designs would ruin
them. Your sentiments are unworthy a minister." And for this he removed him
from office.
In the Kitab Sifat-el-Houkama it is said: "There is a great diversity of
inclinations among men. Everyone has his own propensity. One is borne
naturally toward riches, another toward patience and resignation, another toward
study and good works. And in this world the humors of men are so varied that
they all differ in nature. Among this infinite variety of dispositions of soul, that
which best suits kings and ministers is greatness of character, for that quality is
the ornament of royalty.
"One day the minister of the Sultan Haroun-er-Raschid was returning from the