The Gulistan or Rose Garden of Sa'di

The Gulistan or Rose Garden of Sa'diThe Gulistan is among the most famous works of Persian literature by one of Persias greatest poets, Muslih uddin Sadi Shirazi. Born in Shiraz sometime between 1184 and 1210 CE, Sadi received his education in Baghdad and spent several decades in travel and pilgrimage. In 1256, Sadi returned to Shiraz. He wrote the Gulistan in 1258, the same year that the Mongols sacked Baghdad. The Gulistan or Rose Garden of Sadi, intended as a mirror for princes,

The Gulistan is among the most famous works of Persian literature by one of PersiaÕs greatest poets, Muslih-uddin SaÔdi Shirazi. Born in Shiraz sometime between 1184 and 1210 CE, SaÔdi received his education in Baghdad and spent several decades in travel and pilgrimage. In 1256, SaÔdi returned to Shiraz. He wrote the Gulistan in 1258, the same year that the Mongols sacked Baghdad.

The Gulistan or Rose Garden of SaÔdi, intended as a Òmirror for princes,Ó includes prose didactic tales interspersed with short verses. The book is divided into eight parts: The Manners of Kings, The Morals of Dervishes, The Excellence of Contentment, The Advantages of Silence, Love and Youth, Weakness and Old Age, The Effects of Education, and Rules for Conduct in Life.

This classic translation by Edward Rehatsek has been edited and updated with a new introduction by David Rosenbaum.