As another week dawned, King Noshinravan sought once more to nourish his illuminated spirit with the boundless waters of wisdom. He summoned the realm's foremost sages, ancient scholars, and eloquent counselors to the foot of his exalted throne. Among them stood the young Bozorgmehr, whose brilliant mind brought a glow of delight to the monarch's face. The assembly turned toward him, eager to test the depth of his knowledge.
A senior sage questioned him first regarding the mystery of Fate and Predestination. Bozorgmehr replied that a man of great skill may strive day and night yet find his path narrow and dark, while an unaccomplished man slumbers upon a throne of fortune as flowers rain down upon him; for the Lord of the Cosmos has ordained the stars, and human effort cannot alter divine decree. He went on to describe the supreme virtue as wisdom directed toward goodness, and the finest human traits as patience, nobility, modesty, and unselfish generosity.
When asked how a monarch should govern and preserve his realm, Bozorgmehr delineated the sacred duties of kingship: devotion to Yazdan, steadfastness in truth, the protection of the poor, and the education of children in wisdom and culture. He warned against the four fatal flaws of a ruler: cowardice in battle, stinginess, disregarding the counsel of the wise, and reckless impatience. He proclaimed that true wealth lies not in accumulated hoard, but in contentment with the Almighty's portion, while the poorest of men is he who remains enslaved by boundless Greed. Overwhelmed by his sublime eloquence, all the nobles and sages raised their voices in unison, bestowing praises upon the matchless philosopher.