Pahlavi Texts, Part III (SBE 24) · 60 of 187

Chapter LV

1. The sage asked the spirit of wisdom (2) thus: 'Wherefore is he who is an ill-natured man no friend of the good, nor an untalented man of a talented one?'

3. The spirit of wisdom answered (4) thus: 'For this reason, because he who is an ill-talented man is at [all] times in fear of the talented, (5) lest "they should trouble us by their skill and talent, and, owing to that circumstance, shame may come upon us before the good and our opponents."

6. 'And the ill-natured are no friends of the good for this reason, because there is a time for their annihilation and destruction by the hands of the good.'

97:2 L19 has 'untalented.'

97:3 K43 omits 'all,' and its text may be translated thus:—'because the position of him who is an ill-talented man is in danger from the talented.'

97:4 Reading aê rangênd. Nêr. has the doubtful reading airôzinend, 'they enlighten,' and also several other variations, so as to produce the following meaning:—'lest "these enlighten others by the skill and talent which are not mine," and shame come upon him before the good and his helpmates.'