The Successors of Genghis Khan - Robert Bedrosian's Armenian ...

PART
III
OF THE HISTORY OF OGETEI QA'AN
His praiseworthy character and morals;
the excellent biligs, parables, and pronouncements
which he uttered and promulgated;
and such events and happenings as occurred during his reign
but have not been included in the two previous parts,
the information having been acquired
on separate occasions and at irregular intervals
from various books and persons
Qa'an was imbued with the fairest of dispositions and the noblest of
qualities and customs. He was always exercising the utmost generosity
and liberality toward all classes of men. The love of justice and bounty
had gained such mastery over his nature that not for the twinkling of
an eye would he neglect the spreading of equity and the diffusion of
beneficence. Sometimes the pillars of state and the great men of the
Court would object to his excessive generosity and he would say:
"It is known of a certainty to all mankind that the world is faithful
to none and that wisdom requires a man to keep himself alive by the
perpetuation of a good name.
Lasting fame has been called a second life: this treasure is enough for thee like
good works that abide."370
And whenever the customs and usages of the sultans and kings of
olden times were mentioned and reference was made to their treasures,
he would say: "Those who strove after these things were devoid of their
share of intellect, for no difference can be imagined between buried
treasure and dust, both being of equal advantage. Since it will be
impossible to return from that other world, we shall lay down our
treasure in the corners of men's hearts, and whatever is ready and
370 Cf. Koran, xix, 79: "And good works which abide are in the Lord's sight better in
respect of guerdon, and better in the issue than all worldly good."
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