Page:History of India Vol 5.djvu/211

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THE WISDOM OF FIROZ 171 " Labour to earn for generous deeds a name, Nor seek for riches to extend thy fame ; Better one word of praise than stores of gold, Better one grateful prayer than wealth untold." Under God's favour my heart was occupied with an earnest desire to succour the poor and needy and to comfort their hearts. Wherever I heard of a holy devotee, or religious recluse, I went to visit him and ministered to his necessities, so that I might attain the blessing promised to those who befriend the poor. Whenever a person had completed the natural term of life and become full of years, I first provided for his support, and then I advised and admonished him to direct his thoughts to making preparation for the life to come, to repent of all things which he had done contrary to the Law and Religion of Islam in his youth, and to wean his affections from this world and fix them on the world to come. I desired to act upon the principle of these lines: " The practice of the great should be To succour honest men ; And when a good man dies, to see His children find a friend." When any government servant filling an important and responsible position was carried off under the decrees of God to the happy future life, I gave his place and employment to his son, so that he might occupy the same position and rank as his father and suffer no injury.