the chapters in which we have illustrated what a man should do in managing himself and what his status includes have come to an end. we have only mentioned a little of the much and the sentences without the explanation. if we had explained each chapter with what is similar to it from the news of the people and their poetry the book would have been better and more complete. however it would be larger and longer so we preferred to make it easier for the reader and make it easier for the observer. and perhaps a little is four times better than a lot and a small is more complete than a large. and god is the guardian of success and facilitation.
وانقضت الأبواب التي مثلنا فيها ما يحق على الرجل فعله في تدبير نفسه وما يشتمل عليه منزلة وإنما ذكرنا القليل من الكثير والجمل دون التفسير ولو شرحنا كل باب بما يشاكله من أخبار الناس وأشعارهم لكان الكتاب أحسن وأكمل إلا أنه يكون أكبر وأطول فآثرنا التخفيف على القارئ والتسهيل على الناظر ولرب قليل أربع من كثير وصغير أتم من كبير والله ولي التوفيق والتيسير