Moderation
in all things:
"You
should explore the character of him with whom you associate.
When his good and bad sides are known, you will be able to help
him to do the good things that agree with him, and be able to
contrive to keep him from the bad things he desires. You must
be able to do that in the subtlest and best manner. You know
that a person who is in charge of an animal and understands
his job, endeavours to know the character of the animal. If
it is inclined to gallop, he does not goad it when he is riding
it. If it is inclined to kick, he takes precautions with its
forelegs. If he fears that it will shy, he takes pre-cautions
with its head. If it is restive, he gently subdues its desire
to go where it wants to go. If it still continues, he pulls
it slightly to the side, then has its halter loosened. This
description of how to take care of an animal contains good points
for those who want to lead human beings and deal with them,
serve them, and have intimate contact with them. The secretary,
with his excellent education, his noble craft, his subtlety,
his frequent dealings with people who confer with him and discuss
things with him and learn from him or fear his severity, needs
to be kind to his associates, to flatter them, and to supply
their wants, even more than the person in charge of an animal
which cannot answer, does not know what is right, does not understand
what is said to it, and goes only where its master who rides
upon it makes it go. Be kindGod show you mercywhen
you look after things. Use as much reflection and thought as
possible. God permitting, you will thus escape harshness, annoyance,
and rudeness on the part of your associates. They will be in
agreement with you, and you will have their friendship and protection,
if God wills.
None of you should have too sumptuous an office or go beyond
the proper limits in his dress, his mount, his food, his drink,
his house, his servants, or in the other things pertaining to
his station, for, despite the nobility of the craft by which
God has distinguished you, you are servants who are not permitted
to fall short in their service. You are caretakers whom one
does not permit to be wasteful or spendthrift. Try to preserve
your modesty by planned moderation in all the things I have
mentioned and told you. Beware of the wastefulness of prodigality
and the bad results of luxury. They engender poverty and bring
about humiliation. People (prodigal and living in luxury) are
put to shame, especially if they be secretaries and men of education."
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