LETTER XLIX.

Exalted son, Kámyáb Khán, the clerk of the assistant of your secretary, has written me a letter. (Couplet) “He who draws the sword of oppression is killed by Providence with the same sword (i.e., he who practises oppression is oppressed in return).” What is done (by you) for order and discipline is done. It would have been better had you not made unallowable haste (in inflicting a capital punish­ment upon the oppressive officer—mentioned in the clerk’s letter). Nevertheless, though retaliation* is a just law, the affliction of (one’s) heart is the cause of displeasure to God. For this reason it is said (verse), “There is pleasure in pardoning a person, but there is no pleasure in retaliat­ing on him.”