The Rashīdī History 22.1

22.1

[Arabic verses] : Judgment is preferable to the valour of heroes; The former is the first of virtues, the latter stands second ; But when these two are united in one person, That person can attain the highest summits of fame. [Persian verses] : With judgment thou canst put a whole army to rout. One man with a sword can kill as many as a hundred men. The events about to be related, all testify to the truth of these statements. For when Amir Háji Barlás heard of the advance of the army of Jatah, he abandoned his own country and set out for Khorásán. He crossed the desert and arrived at the River Jihun. Amir Timur saw well that if he continued in this policy of self-preservation, his native country would go to ruin, and his inherited dominions would fall into confusion, for in that same year his father Amir Tárágái had died. [Verses] : His father was dead and his uncle had flown : The people were exposed to the ravages of a stranger. Its enemies had placed the tribe in danger: It was become as an eagle without wings or feathers. Under these circumstances, although he had not passed the age of twenty-five, and his intelligence had not yet received the enlightenment of great experience, Amir Timur determined upon setting these affairs in order, and with this intent took counsel with Amir Háji, saying : " If the kingdom remains without a head, great evils will most surely come upon it, and the people will be entirely annihilated by the violence and perfidy of enemies."