Rose and Thorn
William Sleeman passes on an anecdote from one of the Persian classics, to show that truth should not be used for evil ends.
1258
William Sleeman passes on an anecdote from one of the Persian classics, to show that truth should not be used for evil ends.
1258
In a lengthy chapter entitled ‘Veracity’, William Sleeman discussed attitudes to truth and lies among the people of India. As an illustration, he retold this story from the ‘Gulistan’ or ‘Rose Garden’ of the Persian poet Saadi Shirazi (?1210-?1292).
abridged
A PRINCE commanded the execution of a captive who was brought before him; when the captive, having no hope of life, told the prince that he disgraced his throne.
The prince, not understanding him, turned to one of his ministers and asked him what he had said. ‘He says,’ replied the minister, quoting a passage from the Koran, ‘God loves those who subdue their passions, forgive injuries, and do good to his creatures.’ The prince pitied the poor captive, and countermanded the orders for the execution.
Another minister, who owed a spite to the one who first spoke, said, ‘Nothing but truth should be spoken by such persons as we in the presence of the prince; the captive spoke abusively and insolently, and you have not interpreted his words truly.’ The prince frowned and said, ‘His false interpretation pleases me more than thy true one, because his was given for a good, and thine for a malignant, purpose; and wise men have said that ‘a peace-making lie is better than a factious or anger-exciting truth.’*
abridged
For example, “Use not to lie, for that is unhonest: speak not every truth, for that is unneedful; yes, in time and place, a harmless lie is a great deal better than a hurtful truth.” Roger Ascham (1515-1568), in a letter to his brother-in-law, Mr C. Howe, who was about to take up a position with the Earl of Warwick.
1. What is the author aiming to achieve in writing this?
2. Note any words, devices or turns of phrase that strike you. How do they help the author communicate his ideas more effectively?
3. What impression does this passage make on you? How might you put that impression into words?
Based on The English Critic (1939) by NL Clay, drawing on The New Criticism: A Lecture Delivered at Columbia University, March 9, 1910, by J. E. Spingarn, Professor of Comparative Literature in Columbia University, USA.
Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.
Why did the condemned man berate the Prince?
He thought he had nothing to lose.
Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.
A criminal spoke to his judge. The judge did not understand. He asked a minister to explain.