'Obeyd-e Zakani The Ethics of the Aristocrats, translated by Hasan Javadi (Chapter Two)

 

Chapter Two

On Courage

The Abrogated Practice

 

Philosophers have said: "The human soul has three distinct powers, from which issue forth various actions. First is the power of speech, which is the source of thought and understanding. Second is the choleric power, which leads to an urge to take chances, and a desire for supremacy. Third is the power of concupiscence, also called the animal power, from which comes the desire for food, drink and marriage. If the rational soul is in equilibrium in a person and he has an enthusiasm for the learning of certainties, he will tread the path of wisdom. Whenever the animal or choleric humor is in equilibrium and submissive to the rational soul, the virtue of courage will come forth, and whenever the movement of the animal nature is in equilibrium and follows the rational soul, the virtue of chastity will emerge. When these three virtues are produced and intermingled the result is the most perfect of virtues and is called the sense of justice. Philosophers have called a person courageous who possesesses these qualities: chivalry, high aspiration, tranquility, steadfastness, forebearance, courage, humility, ardour and compassion. One who is characterized by the virtue of courage is praised, exalted and he stands without shame among men. Thus the pearls of his valour and exploits in battle have been strung on the thread of poetry, and the poet has said:

The capital of man is manliness,

Bravery, chivalry and wisdom.

 

The Adopted Practice

 

 

Our teachers have said that a person who commits the horrifying act of facing another man in combat confronts one of two conditions: either he overcomes his opponent and kills him, or else he is killed. If he kills the enemy, he has shed an innocent man's blood, and in consequence he will sooner or later follow his victim. And if the foe overcomes him, again he will follow the path to hell. How should a wise man undertake an action having such potential ends? What proof is better than this, that whenever there is a wedding, a feast or gathering with food, sweetmeats, robes of honor and money, then eunuchs, rogues, lute-players, and men of lusty disposition will seek it out. But whenever there is a battlefield with swords and spears, they will look for a fool to prop up facing the blades, and they will call him a real man, a hero, a destroyer of armies and a knight of valour. When the unfortunate man is killed, the lechers, eunuchs and effeminates of the town will waggle their hips and blamingly say:

 

 

I won't be hit by an arrow, axe or a spear,

Delicate food, wine and minstrels suit me best.

 

When a warrior is killed in battle, eunuchs and effeminates watch from a distance, saying: "O dear master, live in shame, but live long." The man of prudence in time of war must follow the maxim of the knights from Khorasan, who said: "Brave men dash onto the battlefield, but we dash into a barn full of straw!" This is why the knights of our time have this line engraved on their signet rings:

 

Fleeing in time is a true victory,

Happy the knight who has such a destiny.

 

It has been related that an upstart Isfahani encountered a Mongol soldier in the wilderness. When the Mongol attacked him the prudent youth humbly said: "O master, for God's sake do me, but do not do me in!"1 The Mongol took pity on him, and did as he had asked. I was told that the young man who was saved through this stratagem lived in great honor and esteem for thirty years. O what a fortunate young man! It seems that the following proverb has been said of him:

 

As for the bright and wise youths,

It is fitting, if they sit on top of the old.

 

O friends, take heed of the manners and customs of these great men. How unfortunate were our ancestors who lived out their lives in ignorance and whose minds never perceived such great ideas!