Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 26.3.8

26.3.8

nor did they suffer that injustice should become justice by prescription, or that any one should oppress another, at his will. They took care to appoint proper persons in every branch of such an office, and had rendered extortion and bribery so odious, that to call one a bribe-taker was resented much more, than if it had been the most opprobrious word. It was in consequence of such regulations and attentions that such men of virtuous principles were found out, as reckoned bribery amongst the highest reproaches, and thought it little short of infidelity, and apostacy; whereas venality and bribery, as well as the art of bringing money by any whatever means, are now reckoned amongst the greatest and most laudable qualifications of the knowing ones of these our times; there being rulers and under-rulers, who seek out men of such stamps, and think them the only ones capable of business. Hear, ye men of penetration! and benefit by the example. It was so very easy for poor men to arrive at the very feet of the Emperor's, and to obtain redress, that when, notwithstanding all these precautions, and all these attentions, some oppression chanced to take place, we have instances of oppressed ones, who would sometimes come from two or three months' journey, and obtain audience, and expose their complaint; and be they the poorest of men, they were sure of being righted against the most powerful adversary.