Gulistan or Rose Garden

 

‎‎گلستان‎‎ - سعدی

 

By Saadi, Francis Gladwin (Tr.). Distributor: Lulu. $29.99. 244 pages. Paperback CQ. 2016 (1865).

The Gulistan is a popular prose-and-verse work composed by Saadi and is probably the single most influential work of prose in the Persian tradition. The central concerns of this work evolve around efficacious ruling, wisdom in the application of political authority and balance between self-interest and altruism. The themes are divided under eight sections; 1. On the Conduct of Kings; 2. On the Morals of Dervishes; 3. On the Excellence of Contentment; 4. On the Benefits of Silence; 5. On Love and Youth; 6. On Frailty and Old Age; 7. On the Effects of Education; and 8. On Manners (non-narrative aphorisms and maxims).

This works, along Saadi’s Bustan, provides multi-layers access to the depth of the spiritual lore of Sufism and genuine applications of Islamic tenants. It may be read in parallel with the Zhuangzu to provide insights of esoteric teachings from two windows of perceptions of a same reality.

 

Contents

  • Forward by Eric Serejski
  • Preface to the American edition
  • J. Ross. The Life and Genius of Sheik Saadi
  • The Gulistan
  • Preface
  • Chapter I. On the Morals of Kings
  • Chapter II. Of the Morals of Dervishes
  • Chapter III. Of the Excellency of Contentment
  • Chapter IV. Of the Advantages of Taciturnity
  • Chapter V. Of Love and Youth
  • Chapter VI. On Imbecility and Old Age
  • Chapter VII. Of the Effects of Education.
  • Chapter VIII. Rules for Conduct in Life
  • Conclusion of the book
  • [Appendices]
    • Biography – Francis Gladwin
    • Works cited
    • Works cited – Supplementary [SE]
    • Bibliography – Saadi (According to Ross)
    • Bibliography – Saadi, Translations