Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 18.5.8

18.5.8

Most of them, shocked at the dishonourable expressions made use of in speaking to them, and incensed at the insolence of the upstarts that had taken possession of his mind, were so far from offering advice upon the posture of affairs, or upon the manner of proceeding in this expedition, that they were in general ill-intentioned, and wishing to see its miscarriage, as well as their Ruler's downfall; and whilst himself, on his side, made it a point not to ask any one's opinion; on the other, those he consulted (and these were no other than those which he had lately promoted), being most of them incapable and inexperienced, did not choose to mention in his presence any advice that might shock his sentiments, and thereby endanger the power and authority to which they had been so lately raised. As for himself, he was ignorant of the world, and incapable to take a reasonable party, being totally destitute of sense and penetration, and yet having a head so obscured by the smoke of ignorance, and so giddy and intoxicated with the fumes of youth and power and dominion, that he knew no distinction betwixt good and bad, nor betwixt vice and virtue. His imprudence was so enormous that, in the middle of a military expedition, he would set daggers in the hearts of his bravest and ablest Commanders, by his harsh language, and his choleric disposition. Such usage naturally rendered them regardless, and utterly neglectful.