Sadi's Scroll of Wisdom by A. Hart Edwards

On March 20, 2009, which marks the Spring Equinox and is celebrated as the New Year’s Day in Iran, President Barack Obama sent a videotaped New Year’s message to the Iranian nation as a political gesture of good intention to open a new friendly chapter between the USA and Iran.

In his message, the President noted: “There are those who insist that we be defined by our differences. But let us remember the words that were written by the poet Saadi, so many years ago: The children of Adam are limbs to each other, having been created of one essence.”

Sadi was named by a brother poet the "nightingale of the groves of Shiraz."
He was also noted in his lifetime as a religious teacher, though he never claimed to be inspired by any higher wisdom than the human intellect.

The first work of this remarkable man was the "Bustan," which means the fruit-garden, or orchard. The book contains the fruits of the author's long experience, his judgments upon life, illustrated by a vast store of anecdotes. (fordham.edu)

"Be generous to the extent of thy power. If thou hast not dug a well in the desert, at least place a lamp in a shrine."--p. 48

The Bustan of Sadi, originally published as part of the Wisdom of the East series in the early 20th century, and long out of print. This little book is full of practical spiritual wisdom. Sadi doesn't lean on allegory as much as other Sufi writers of the period; most of the stories in this collection have a pretty obvious moral lesson.

Born in Shiraz, Iran, in 1184, Sādi is considered one of the major medieval Persian poets. He traveled widely, through regions of what is today Syria, Turkey, Egypt and Iraq.

Vignettes of gritty caravan and street scenes give life to his tales. In old age he returned to Shiraz, and composed his two best-known works, the poetic Bustan, or Orchard (in 1257), and the Rose Garden (in 1258).
(written by Hart Edwards)

A very famous book of a famous Persian poet Shaykh Sadi, the Bostan or Orchard is a description of Sadi's travels and analysis of human psychology.

He died in 1283 or possibly 1291.

Sadi wrote about Generosity:

"Generosity will be the source of delight; p. 32
Generosity will be the harvest of life.
Freshen the heart of the world by generosity;
Fill the globe with the renown of thy generosity.
For ever be steadfast in generosity;"

Saadi’s full name has also been debated among scholars but most agree that it was Mushrraf al-Din Muslih. This given name, Muslih (meaning “peacemaker”) was also the name of his father’s father and of his mother’s grandfather. Saadi is respectfully called by the Persians as “Shaikh (Master) Saadi” and “Afsah ul-Motakallemin” (The Most Clear Poet”) for the simplicity and yet depth of his verse.

Saadi teaches the brotherhood and sisterhood of all humanity to live in peace and to care for one another. The following poem of his decorates the Hall of the United Nations in New York (which was quoted by President Obama):

"Human beings are members of a whole,
In creation of one essence and soul.
If one member is afflicted with pain,
Other members uneasy will remain. "