Mainyo-i-Khard 28

The sage asked the spirit of wisdom

thus: Who is the more forgiving (vakhshayânîktar)?

What is the more in strength?

What is the swifter?

What is the happier?

What is the more miserable?'

The spirit of wisdom answered

thus: 'Aûharmazd, the lord, is the more forgiving.

He saw the nine thousand years' mischief among his own creatures, owing to Aharman, yet afterwards, through justice and forgiveness, he does not then smite him for it.

And the celestial sphere is the more in strength. II. The intellect of mankind is the swifter. 12. The souls of the righteous are the happier. 13. And those of the wicked are the more penitent.' The sage asked the spirit of wisdom (2) thus: 'What is it necessary to keep with more regard and more protection?' 3. The spirit of wisdom answered (4) thus: 'It is necessary to keep a young serving-boy (rasik), a wife, a beast of burden, and a fire with more protection and more regard.'