LETTER XLI.

Exalted and dear son, I was pleased with some passages in the diary of His Majesty (i.e., Sháh Jehán). For my love to you, I have written them involuntarily to my dear son, so that I myself do not enjoy their benefit alone. (The passages are as follow). ‘Some actions are the best: not to countenance a bad man; not to disappoint a man by the non-fulfilment of his desire; not to afflict a man of a good temperament; not to beg notwithstanding extreme need; to keep company with the pious; to search for the worthy and the able; to avoid the company of fools; to give the deserving, as much as you can, before they ask for it; to honour the learned; to spend one’s time in justice (or in work); not to pay attention to the doctrines of the sacri­legious; not to be unconscious of the condition of the faithful agents; to derive benefit from the company of the holy who are strangers in this world; to encourage those who do good for the affairs of this and the next world’.

In this age also there are many good men; but where are those who search for such good men and encourage them by their favour?* Evidently, the succeeding generation will be worse. (Verse) “I am anxious about the condition of the times; because, may God forbid, there will be worse times than this”. You, who have an intention of (succeed­ing to) sovereignty (after me),* should desire, search for, employ, and favour (such good men).