(Masnavi Book 4: 28) Worldly knowledge and power a dangerous weapon in the hands of the wicked

Explaining that the acquisition of knowledge and wealth and rank by men of evil nature is the (means of) exposing him (such a one) to shame and ü like a sword that has fallen into the hand of a brigand.

To teach the evil-natured man knowledge and skill is to put a sword in the hand of a brigand.

It is better to put a sword in the hand of an intoxicated negro than that knowledge should come into the possession of a worthless person.

Knowledge and wealth and office’ and rank and fortune are a mischief in the hands of the evil-

natured.

Therefore the Holy War was made obligatory on the true believers for this purpose, (namely) that they might take the spear-point from the hand of the madman.

1440. His (the evil-natured man's) spirit is (like) the madman, and his body is (like) his (the madman's) sword: take away the sword from that wicked man!

How should a hundred lions inflict the shame which (high) office inflicts upon the ignorant? His vice is hidden, (but) when he got the instrument (gained power), his snake, (coming out)

from its hole, sped along the plain.

The entire plain is filled with snakes and scorpions when the ignorant man becomes king

(master) of the bitter (harsh) decree.

The worthless person who acquires wealth and office has become the seeker of his own disgrace.

1445. Either he behaves stingily and gives few presents, or he shows generosity and bestows

(them) in the wrong place (unsuitably).

He puts the king in the house (square) of the pawn: the gifts which a fool makes are like this. When authority falls into the hands of one who has lost the (right) way, he deems it to be a high position (jáh), (but in reality) he has fallen into a pit (cháh).

He does not know the way, (yet) he acts as guide: his wicked spirit makes a world-conflagration. When (one who is as) a child in the Way of (spiritual) poverty assumes the part of an Elder (Director of souls), the ghoul of unblessedness seizes those who follow (him).

1450. “Come,” says he, “for I will show you the moon”; (yet) that impure one never saw the moon.

How wilt you show (the moon) when during (all) your life you have not seen even the reflexion

of the moon in the water, O half-baked dunce?

The foolish have become leaders, and from fear (of them) the wise have drawn their heads into the cloak.