The Laughable Stories Collected by Mar Gregory John

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26 THE LAUGHABLE STORIES OF BAR-HEBR^US.
XCIX. Ispandahar' said, ''The horse, even though he
*'be exceedingly swift, hath need of the whip, and
"a woman, though she be chaste, yet hath need of a
*'man, and a man, even though he be wise, hath need
''to receive counsel from others."
C. Khusrau said, "Wine washeth from the heart
"trouble and grief."
CI. When Kikobad (Kaikubad)^ the king died, one
of his wise men said, "Yesterday the king spake vol-
"ubly, but to-day he being silent admonisheth [us]
"with greater effect."^
CII. This same wise man said, "Hearts have need
"to. be reared on wisdom, even as mens bodies have
"need of food whereon to grow."
cm. Sapor said, "On many occasions matters come
"to fools on the right hand, and to wise men on the
"left, and I recognize that the Governor of affairs is
"a Being quite distinct from them."
CIV. Ardashir'^ said, "Occupy thyself with the things
^ Probably Ispandahar^ the son of Gushtasp; see Malcolm,
History of Persia, Vol. L p. 46 ff.; and Mohl, Le Livre des Rois^
torn. IV. p. 451.
^ The founder of the Kaianian dynasty is here referred to; see
Malcolm, History of Persia, vol. I. p. 23 ff.; Mohl, Le Livre des
Rois, torn. I. p. 367.
3 This saying is also attributed to Diogenes, who is said to have
uttered it over Alexander's dead body. In Mas*udt {op. cit. torn. vii.
p. 186) it runs "Alexander was less talkative yesterday than he
"is to-day; but to-day he teacheth us more than he. did yesterday."
Another version is, "Of all teachings which thou hast bestowed
"upon us the most eloquent is thy death." Mas'udt {op. cit., torn. ii.
p. 253).
4 Probably Ardashtr I, who began to reign A.D. 226.