A Sharp-Toothed Wolf May Become Audacious

Shaykh Saadi Shirazi (1184-1283)

I heard that a dervish, burning in the fire of poverty and sewing patch upon patch, said to comfort his mind: 

'We are contented with dry bread and a patched robe 

For it is easier to bear the load of one's own trouble 

than that of thanks to others.' 

-                   

Who sold abstinence, knowledge and piety 

Filled a granary but burnt it clean away.  

-                   

Severity and mildness together are best 

Like a bleeder who is a surgeon and also applies a salve. 

A wise man uses neither severity to excess 

Nor mildness; for it lessens his authority. 

He neither exalts himself too much 

Nor exposes himself at once to contempt. 

-                        

A youth said to his father: 'O wise man, 

Give me for instruction one advice like an aged person.' 

He said: 'Be kind but not to such a degree 

That a sharp-toothed wolf may become audacious.'  

http://classics.mit.edu/Sadi/gulistan.9.viii.html