how many a noble and honorable man of a people has been torn apart and torn apart by wild beasts? how many a slave girl who was honorable to her people and dear to her club has been eaten by whales and water birds? how many a skull that was preserved and covered with musk and frankincense has been thrown out in the open and its body hidden in the ground because of the harem the women the servants and the saints! and satan has never approached anyone from a door without seeing him fall down with his flesh and limbs torn apart. he is more eloquent in his plotting and more likely to see his wish from this door if it is one of his most subtle plots the most subtle of his whispers and the sweetest of his adornments!
شريف وعزيز قوم قد مزقته السباع وتمششته، وكم من جارية كانت كريمة على قومها عزيزة في ناديها قد أكلتها حيتان البحر وطير الماء، وكم من جمجمة كانت تصان وتعل بالمسك والبان قد ألقيت بالعراء، وغيبت جثتها في الثرى بسبب الحرم والنساء، والخدم، والأولياء! ولم يأت الشيطان أحدا من باب قط حتى يراه بحيث يهوي منقسم اللحم والأعضاء، هو أبلغ في مكيدته وأحرى أن يرى فيه أمنيته من هذا الباب، إذا كان من ألطف مكايده، وأدق وساوسه، وأحلى تزيينه!