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مشک آنست که ببوید نه آنکه عطار بگوید

Musk is known by its scent, not by what the perfumer says.

Saadi, Gulistan 8 (Ross, Apophthegm 59)

MUSK IS KNOWNBY ITS SCENT,NOT BY WHAT THEPERFUMER SAYS.MUSK IS KNOWNBY ITS SCENT,NOT BY WHAT THEPERFUMER SAYS.SAADI · GULISTAN 8 (ROSS, APOPHTHEGM 59)

What it means

Real quality speaks for itself; it needs no salesman. Saadi adds that a skilled person need not announce it. Let your work carry its own scent.

The source

"Musk is known by its scent, not by what the perfumer says." Saadi said it in Gulistan 8 (Ross, Apophthegm 59). Translated by James Ross, 1823.

"which discloses itself by its smell, and not what the perfumers impose upon us"

James Ross, 1823, Gulistan 8 (Ross, Apophthegm 59). Text read at archive.org.

Who said it

Saadi (c. 1210–1291). Poet of Shiraz who travelled for decades before writing the Bustan and the Gulistan, a book of stories and maxims in prose and verse.

Questions

What does "Musk is known by its scent, not by what the perfumer says." mean?
Real quality speaks for itself; it needs no salesman. Saadi adds that a skilled person need not announce it. Let your work carry its own scent.
Who said "Musk is known by its scent, not by what the perfumer says."?
Saadi (c. 1210–1291). Source: Gulistan 8 (Ross, Apophthegm 59).
What is the original wording?
which discloses itself by its smell, and not what the perfumers impose upon us (James Ross, 1823). Translated by James Ross, 1823.
Is "Musk is known by its scent, not by what the perfumer says." on a shirt?
Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

Cite this line

"Musk is known by its scent, not by what the perfumer says." (Saadi, Gulistan 8 (Ross, Apophthegm 59), trans. James Ross, 1823). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/musk-is-known-by-its-scent-not-by

Filed under Quotes about character.

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