Seated upon the throne of Iran, King Ardashir Babakan summoned all his people—the young and the elderly, the noble and the humble—to receive his eternal testament of wisdom and justice. He began by declaring that the foundation of all virtue lies in acknowledging the Creator, for only those who recognize the Almighty can remain pure and truly devoted. He exhorted all never to hold knowledge in low esteem, regardless of whether it originates from a humble subordinate or a mighty monarch, for the words of the wise never grow old.
Ardashir taught that the fear of sin must weigh heavier on a human heart than the threat of a king's chains or prison, and warned that those who speak foully forfeit their honor in the eyes of society. He praised the person who enriches the world through righteousness, whose hidden thoughts match their public deeds, and who speaks with gentle grace, modesty, and wisdom. Extravagant squandering of wealth merely to boast brings no true gratitude; rather, moderation guarantees endurance and earns the respect of the wise.
The King set forth key pillars to refresh one's faith and nourish the soul: to accept that divine destiny cannot be altered by greed, to break the neck of avarice, to keep secret counsels away from women, to refrain from pride in conflict, to free the heart from anxiety over future troubles, and to never meddle in matters beyond one's calling. He urged continuous learning to illuminate the soul and demanded that children be raised with strict culture and discipline rather than idle play.
Turning to the sacred duty of kingship, Ardashir declared that a monarch exists to foster prosperity and relieve suffering. If a ruler learns of distress caused by his officials or army and fails to render justice, he forfeits his divine right, blackens the royal charter, and becomes no better than a predatory lion in a meadow. Likewise, subjects who disobey just decrees bring ruin upon themselves. Only when both sovereign and people align their hearts with righteousness and the holy command of Yazdan will the realm flourish in enduring peace.
#1
به گفتار این نامدار اردشیر
✦
همه گوش دارید برنا و پیر
“Incline your ears, both young and old, unto the words of the renowned Ardashir.”
#2
هرانکس که داند که دادار هست
✦
نباشد مگر پاک و یزدان پرست
“Whoever knows that the Creator exists will be none other than pure and a worshipper of God.”
#3
دگر آنک دانش مگیرید خوار
✦
اگر زیردستست و گر شهریار
“Furthermore, do not hold knowledge in low esteem, whether it comes from a subordinate or a king.”
#4
سه دیگر بدانی که هرگز سخن
✦
نگردد بر مرد دانا کهن
“Thirdly, know that wise counsel never grows old in the mind of the sage.”
#5
چهارم چنان دان که بیم گناه
✦
فزون باشد از بند و زندان شاه
“Fourthly, know that the dread of committing sin should be greater than the fear of the king's bonds and prison.”
#6
به پنجم سخن مردم زشت‌گوی
✦
نگیرد به نزد کسان آب‌روی
“Fifthly, the foul-spoken person will never gain honor or dignity among others.”
#7
بگویم یکی تازه اندرز نیز
✦
کجا برتر از دیده و جان و چیز
“I shall give yet another fresh counsel, which is higher than sight, life, and possessions.”
#8
خنک آنک آباد دارد جهان
✦
بود آشکارای او چون نهان
“Blessed is he who keeps the world prosperous, and whose private self matches his public character.”
#9
دگر آنک دارند آواز نرم
✦
خرد دارد و شرم و گفتار گرم
“And fortunate is he who speaks in soft tones, possessing wisdom, modesty, and warm speech.”
#10
به پیش کسان سیم از بهر لاف
✦
به بیهوده بپراگند بر گزاف
“He who squanders silver before others merely to boast and spend recklessly,”
#11
ز مردم ندارد کسی زان سپاس
✦
نبپسندد آن مرد یزدان شناس
“Will earn no gratitude from people, nor will any God-conscious man approve of it.”
#12
میانه گزینی بمانی به جای
✦
خردمند خوانند و پاکیزه‌رای
“If you choose moderation, you will endure; men will call you wise and of pure mind.”
#13
کزین بگذری پنج رایست پیش
✦
کجا تازه گردد ترا دین وکیش
“Beyond this, five principles lie ahead by which your faith and creed will be renewed,”
#14
تن آسانی و شادی افزایدت
✦
که با شهد او زهر نگزایدت
“Increasing your comfort and joy, so that along with its honey no poison will sting you.”
#15
یکی آنک از بخشش دادگر
✦
به آز و به کوشش نیابی گذر
“First: that which is ordained by the Just Creator cannot be altered or bypassed through greed or striving.”
#16
توانگر شود هرک خرسند گشت
✦
گل نوبهارش برومند گشت
“Whoever becomes content becomes truly rich; the blossom of his early spring turns fruitful.”
#17
دگر بشکنی گردن آز را
✦
نگویی به پیش زنان راز را
“Second: break the neck of avarice, and never reveal your secrets before women.”
#18
سه دیگر ننازی به ننگ و نبرد
✦
که ننگ ونبرد آورد رنج و درد
“Third: do not boast of strife and shame, for battle and strife yield only grief and pain.”
#19
چهارم که دل دور داری ز غم
✦
ز نا آمده دل نداری دژم
“Fourth: keep your heart far from sorrow, and do not let your spirit be distressed over what has not yet come.”
#20
نه پیچی به کاری که کار تو نیست
✦
نتازی بدان کو شکار تو نیست
“Fifth: do not turn to a business that is not yours, nor chase after prey that is not yours to hunt.”
#21
همه گوش دارید پند مرا
✦
سخن گفتن سودمند مرا
“Incline your ears unto my counsel and my beneficial words.”
#22
بود بر دل هرکسی ارجمند
✦
که یابند ازو ایمنی از گزند
“They shall be precious to the heart of everyone, granting them safety from harm.”
#23
زمانی میاسای ز آموختن
✦
اگر جان همی خواهی افروختن
“Do not rest a single moment from learning if you wish to kindle the brightness of your soul.”
#24
چو فرزند باشد به فرهنگ دار
✦
زمانه ز بازی برو تنگ دار
“When you have a child, raise them with culture and discipline; narrow their time for idle play.”
#25
همه یاد دارید گفتار ما
✦
کشیدن بدین کار تیمار ما
“Keep all our teachings in your memory, and appreciate the care we have taken in this matter.”
#26
هرآن کس که با داد و روشن دلید
✦
از آمیزش یکدگر مگسلید
“Whoever among you is just and bright of heart, never sever your bonds with one another.”
#27
دل آرام دارید بر چار چیز
✦
کزو خوبی و سودمندیست نیز
“Rest your heart upon four pillars, from which spring true goodness and benefit.”
#28
یکی بیم و آزرم و شرم خدای
✦
که باشد ترا یاور و رهنمای
“One: the fear, reverence, and awe of God, who shall be your helper and guiding light.”
#29
دگر داد دادن تن خویش را
✦
نگه داشتن دامن خویش را
“Second: doing justice to yourself, and keeping your skirt free from uncleanness.”
#30
به فرمان یزدان دل آراستن
✦
مرا چون تن خویشتن خواستن
“Adorning your heart by God's command, and wishing for me what you would wish for your own self.”
#31
سه دیگر که پیدا کنی راستی
✦
بدور افگنی کژی و کاستی
“Third: manifesting truthfulness, and casting away all deceit and shortcomings.”
#32
چهارم که از رای شاه جهان
✦
نپیچی دلت آشکار و نهان
“Fourth: never turning your heart away from the counsel of the King of the World, openly or in secret.”
#33
ورا چون تن خویش خواهی به مهر
✦
به فرمان او تازه گردد سپهر
“If you love him as your own body with true affection, the heavens will grow fresh under his command.”
#34
دلت بسته داری به پیمان اوی
✦
روان را نپیچی ز فرمان اوی
“Keep your heart bound to his covenant, and never turn your soul away from his decree.”
#35
برو مهر داری چو بر جان خویش
✦
چو با داد بینی نگهبان خویش
“Love him as your own spirit, whenever you see him protecting you with justice.”
#36
غم پادشاهی جهانجوی راست
✦
ز گیتی فزونی سگالد نه کاست
“The concern of world-seeking kingship rests upon promoting abundance, not diminishments across the realm.”
#37
گر از کارداران وز لشکرش
✦
بداند که رنجست بر کشورش
“If he knows that hardship has befallen his country through his officials or his army,”
#38
نیازد به داد او جهاندار نیست
✦
برو تاج شاهی سزاوار نیست
“And does not extend his hand in justice, he is no world-ruler, nor is the royal crown fitting for him.”
#39
سیه کرد منشور شاهنشهی
✦
ازان پس نباشد ورا فرهی
“He blackens the charter of royalty, and from that moment onward the Divine Glory shall depart from him.”
#40
چنان دان که بیدادگر شهریار
✦
بود شیر درنده در مرغزار
“Know that an unjust king is like a ravenous lion prowling in a lush meadow.”
#41
همان زیردستی که فرمان شاه
✦
به رنج و به کوشش ندارد نگاه
“Likewise, a subject who fails to observe the king's command through effort and labor,”
#42
بود زندگانیش با درد و رنج
✦
نگردد کهن در سرای سپنج
“His life shall pass in distress and sorrow, nor shall he reach old age in peace within this transient abode.”
#43
اگر مهتری یابد و بهتری
✦
نیابد به زفتی و کنداوری
“If anyone attains greatness and superiority, they cannot achieve it through stinginess and harshness.”
#44
دل زیردستان ما شاد باد
✦
هم از داد ماگیتی آباد باد
“May the hearts of our subjects be glad, and may the world flourish through our justice!”