Exalted son, one day Sa’ad Alláh Khán* came late in His Majesty (Sháh Jehán)’s presence. H. M. asked the cause. He replied, “I was reading some passages from a book and copying them down in order to shew them to Your Majesty. (They are here, as follow). ‘The stability of the foundation of sovereignty depends upon justice. A kingdom and property increase through bravery and charity.*
You should keep company with the wise and the learned and avoid the company of fools. It is a sign of wisdom to act according to one’s conviction and to remain firm in the midst of hardships. You should not be deficient in worldly affairs (or duties) and should be pleased with your contrivance. One should thank God for the destiny of the permanency of his family. Shew mercy to the orphans. If you desire that you should never be in need, fulfil the desires of the needy. The execution of state affairs depends upon the advice and counsel of ministers. Conquest and victory depend upon the blessings of the mendicants. If you want to have sound health, pray (to God) for the remedying of the diseases of the sick. If you wish to have forgiveness for your crimes from God, first pardon the crimes of other criminals’.” His Majesty was was much pleased and kissed the forehead of the deceased Khán. At the end of the day (i.e. in evening) he presented the above-mentioned Khán some Mahmūdi* bundles, embroidered in gold and of one colour. I thought that I should not enjoy the benefit of these maxims alone, consequently I wrote these things for my dear son. May the grace of God be with your actions in order to enable you to follow these instructions.