Chapter XXIII

Pahlavi Texts, Part III (SBE24), E.W. West, tr. [1885], at sacred-texts.com

CHAPTER XXIII.

1. The sage asked the spirit of wisdom (2) thus: 'Is it possible to contend with destiny through wisdom and knowledge, or not?'

3. The spirit of wisdom answered (4) thus: 'Even with the might and powerfulness of wisdom and knowledge, even then it is not possible to contend with destiny. 5. Because, when predestination as to virtue, or as to the reverse ³, comes forth, the wise becomes wanting (nîyâzân) in duty, and the astute in evil becomes intelligent; (6) the faint-hearted becomes braver, and the braver becomes faint-hearted;

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[paragraph continues] (7) the diligent becomes lazy, and the lazy acts diligently ¹. (8) Just as is predestined as to the matter, the cause enters into it, (9) and thrusts out everything else.'

Footnotes

54:3 L19 has 'vileness.'

55:1 L19 has 'becomes diligent.'