Golestan of Sa’di (1): Master Persian Prose

According to W.M. Thackston—Professor of Persian at Harvard University (Retired)—Golestan is not merely a literary classic—it is one of the most influential books ever written in the Persian-speaking world. From the moment it appeared in the 13th century, it became a foundational text for education, ethics, and everyday speech, much like Shakespeare in English. Its stories, aphorisms, and verses have shaped how generations of readers think, speak, and judge human behavior.

What makes Golestan enduring is Saʿdi’s extraordinary ability to capture human nature in all its contradictions. Kings and beggars, saints and hypocrites, lovers and fools all appear side by side, portrayed with sharp insight and gentle irony. Saʿdi does not preach abstract morality; instead, he shows how wisdom operates in real life—through prudence, justice, restraint, compassion, and, often, humor.

Thackston emphasizes that Golestan remains strikingly modern. Despite its medieval setting, very little in the book feels remote or irrelevant. Saʿdi’s observations about power, education, greed, aging, love, and speech resonate across centuries because they are rooted in timeless human experience. Many of his reflections could be applied today with minimal translation—only the setting changes.

Finally, Golestan is a masterclass in Persian literary style. Its rhythmic prose, subtle wordplay, and seamless movement between poetry and anecdote make it an ideal text for learners who want to go beyond grammar and vocabulary and enter the living world of Persian thought and expression. Reading Golestan is not just about understanding Persian literature; it is about learning how Persian culture thinks, feels, and speaks.

Source & Inspiration
This section is inspired by the Translator’s Preface to:
The Gulistan (Rose Garden) of Saʿdi: Bilingual English and Persian Edition with Vocabulary, translated by Wheeler M. Thackston, Ibex Publishers, 2017.

Saadi Shirazi is one of the most important poets and storytellers of the 13th century. He left an indelible mark on Persian literature with his profound works. Among his many compositions, the Bustan and the Golestan (sometimes transliterated as Gulistan) stand as his most celebrated masterpieces, displaying his mastery of language and profound insights into human nature.

The Golestan of Sa’di is one of the three pillars of Persian literature, alongside Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh and Rumi’s Masnavi. It was completed in 656 AH and is known as Saadi’s intellectual journey across the Middle East and beyond. The journey began in Shiraz, where he diligently pursued his education. Upon completing his studies, he embarked on a series of extensive travels. His accounts of these journeys, woven into his works, paint vivid pictures of diverse cultures and customs. Driven by a thirst for knowledge and a desire to broaden his horizons, Saadi’s travels extended beyond mere exploration. Each journey served as a spiritual odyssey, deepening his understanding of the world and his place within it.

The fruits of Saadi’s travels and intellectual pursuits are manifested in a rich tapestry of stories, anecdotes, and observations rooted in the realities of life. Each tale in the Golestan serves as a window into the human experience, offering timeless lessons in morality, social conduct, and the pursuit of knowledge.

Saadi’s wisdom and wit resonated with the common people, and many of his sayings from the Golestan of Sa’di have become ingrained in Persian folklore and proverbs.

The Golestan’s influence extended beyond Persia’s borders, reaching audiences across the globe. In 1634, the first translation of the Golestan into a European language emerged, with André du Ryer rendering the work into French. Since then, countless translations have been made, bringing Saadi’s timeless wisdom to readers worldwide.

Golestan of Sa’di is famous for its rhythmic structure. The rhymed prose of Golestan is pleasing to the ear and easy to remember. In Saadi’s hands, the Persian language transforms into a pliable medium, effortlessly molded to convey his profound messages. His masterful use of carefully chosen words and polished phrases not only delivers his intended meaning but also preserves the beauty and harmony of his prose.