Saadi: Golestan 8.12 (From Persian)

From the Golestan: Chapter 8, Section 12

By Saadi of Shiraz

Translated by A.Z. Foreman

Have no mercy an enemy for his powerlessness. If he were powerful, he would have none on you.

      Faced with a helpless enemy,
      Don't brag that you're a gentleman.
      In every body's bone, there's marrow.
      In every shirt, there is a man.

The Original:

بر عجز دشمن رحمت مکن که اگر قادر شود بر تو نبخشاید.

دشمن چو بینی ناتوان

لاف از بروت خود مزن

مغزیست در هر استخوان

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