The Effect of Advice

Hazrat Sheikh Saadi once said that a king’s service has two aspects: first, the hope of livelihood, and second, the risk to one’s life. According to the advice of wise people, one should never endanger their life for the mere hope of earning a livelihood.

Dear children, in earlier times, whenever someone faced a difficulty or a pressing need, they would always seek guidance from a learned elder before taking action. In this spirit, a poor man, burdened with many children and no means of income, went to Hazrat Sheikh Saadi and said, “I have no strength left to endure hunger. Many times I think of leaving this place, but if I leave, people will condemn me, saying that I abandoned my family for my own comfort. Please advise me, for you are a master of knowledge and calculations. If you can secure me a position in the king’s service, it will be your favor upon me.”

Sheikh Saadi replied, “A king’s service has dangers: the first is the hope of livelihood, and the second is risk to your life. According to the counsel of the wise, one should not endanger life for the hope of wealth.”

The man responded, “O Sheikh! This does not answer my question. You do not understand my suffering. If I do not commit treachery, why will the king be angry at me?”

Sheikh Saadi then told him a story about a fox. When people saw a fox running frantically, they asked, “What trouble has come upon you?” The fox replied, “I heard that the lion is capturing animals for forced labor.” People asked, “What does that have to do with you?” The fox answered, “Be silent. If the envious say that I am the lion’s offspring, what will become of me? Who will save me?”

“Indeed,” Sheikh Saadi explained, “you must act honestly, but what about those who envy you and might falsely accuse you before the king? There will be none to speak in your favor. Therefore, it is better for you to endure a simple life, eating what little you can manage, and abandon thoughts of serving the king.”

The poor man, however, became angry at this advice. Seeing his anger, Sheikh Saadi arranged for him to take a position in the king’s service. The man, through hard work and talent, rose quickly and became a prominent officer. Eventually, he became one of the king’s closest associates.

After some time, Sheikh Saadi returned from pilgrimage with a few friends and saw the same man dressed in old, tattered clothes. Surprised, Sheikh Saadi asked what had happened. The man replied, “Your advice was indeed correct. My envious rivals falsely accused me before the king, and he did not conduct a proper investigation. All my companions and long-time allies feared to speak the truth, so they remained silent. I was abandoned by all, and those who once praised me now trampled me. People often flatter a powerful person, but when misfortune strikes, they abandon or destroy them.”

Sheikh Saadi said, “You did not heed my advice. I had warned you that serving kings is like being in a river with hidden dangers. You must understand, if you lack the strength to face repeated hardships, why put your finger in a scorpion’s nest?”

He added, “Advice always brings benefit. A wise person, through experience and knowledge, offers guidance to prevent harm, while a foolish person, lacking experience, suffers losses entirely due to their own ignorance.”

Thus, the story teaches that seeking counsel and valuing the experience of the wise can protect one from dangers that are not always visible, and that the lure of wealth or prestige is often accompanied by risks that simple honesty and prudence can help one avoid.