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It is not fitting for the sultan to spend all his time playing chess and nard (backgammon), drinking wine, striking the ball and polo stick, or pursuing the hunt, for such diversions prevent him and distract him from the affairs of his subjects. Every occupation has an allotted time, and when that time is missed, what should have been profit turns into loss. The ancient kings therefore divided the day into four portions: one for obedience to God and His worship; one for attending to the subjects—redressing the wronged, sitting with scholars and men of wisdom, managing state business, administering public policy, executing decrees and orders, drafting letters, and dispatching envoys; one for eating and drinking, taking worldly provision, and enjoying a share of happiness and delight; and one for hunting, chess, ball games, and the like.

A maxim: it is said that Bahrām Gūr divided his day into two equal halves. In the first half he met people’s needs; in the second he sought rest. It is reported that throughout his life he never spent a whole day on a single pursuit.

Anushirwān the Just would order his trusted companions to climb to the highest vantage point in the city and look out over the houses. If they saw a house without smoke rising from it, they would go down, inquire about the people’s condition, and ascertain their trouble. Should they be found in distress, the king would intervene, carrying their burdens and removing their worries.

The sultan must also refuse to let his attendants take anything from the subjects without right, as the following story makes plain.

A story: It is related that Anushirwān once appointed a governor, and that governor sent him an excess land-tax of three thousand dirhams. Anushirwān ordered the surplus returned to its owners and commanded that the governor be crucified. Every ruler who takes something from his subjects by tyranny and force and stores it