Chapter XXVI

CHAPTER XXVI.

1. The sage asked the spirit of wisdom (2) thus: 'Is a blind eye worse, or a blind mind (dîl)? 3. Is the ill-informed worse, or the bad-tempered?'

4. The spirit of wisdom answered (5) thus: 'He who is blind-eyed, when he has understanding in anything, and accomplishes learning, is to be considered as sound-eyed. 6. And he who is sound-eyed, when he has no knowledge and understanding 1, and even that which they teach him he does not accept, then that is worse than even a blind eye.

7. 'The ill-tempered is less evil 2 than the ill-informed; (8) because the ill-tempered, except by a decree, is not able to seize anything away from any one; (9) and as to the ill-informed man, his desire of every kind is then 3 for oppression and plunder. 10. Concerning him who is ill-informed it is declared that, apart from predestination, he is born free from fresh understanding 4'