There lived onceof old daysin the land of Khorassana merchant called Mejdeddinwho had great wealth and many slaves and servantsblack and white；but he was childless until he reached the age of threescorewhen God the Most High vouchsafed him a sonwhom he named Ali Shar. The boy grew up like the moon on the night of its fulland when he came to man's estate and was endowed with all kinds of perfectionhis father fell sick of a mortal malady and calling his son to himsaid to him'O my sonthe hour of my death is at handand I desire to give thee my last injunctions.'And what are theyO my father？'asked Ali. 'O my son，'answered Mejdeddin'I charge theebe not [too]familiar with any and eschew what leads to evil and mischief.
Beware lest thou company with the wicked；for he is like the blacksmith；if his fire burn thee nothis smoke irks thee： and how excellent is the saying of the poet：
There is no man in all the world whose love thou shouldst desire，No friend whoif fate play thee falsewill true and constant be.
Wherefore I'd have thee live apart and lean for help on none. In this I give thee good advice；so let it profit thee.
And what another saith：
Men are a latent malady；Count not on themI counsel thee.
An if thou look into their caseThey're full of guile and perfidy.
And yet a third：
The company of men will profit thee in noughtExcept to pass away the time in idle prate；
So spare thou to converse with themexcept it be For gain of lore and wit or mending of estate.
And a fourth If a quickwitted man have made proof of mankindI have eaten of themwhere but tasted hath he，And have seen their affection but practice and nought But hypocrisy found their religion to be.'
'O my father，'said Ali'I hear and obey： what more shall I do？'
'Do good when thou art able thereto，'answered his father；'be ever courteous and succourable to men and profit by all occasions of doing a kindness；for a design is not always easy of accomplishment；and how well saith the poet：