batch.motif.persian-sadi-gulistan-ross-gutenberg-l4312-l4349
---
record_id: batch.motif.persian-sadi-gulistan-ross-gutenberg-l4312-l4349
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/persian/project-gutenberg/gulistan-sadi-ross.md
passage_locator:
label: XXXVI / XXXVII / XXXVIII / XXXIX; lines 4312-4349
start: '4312'
end: '4349'
translation: The Persian Literature, Volume 2, The Gulistan
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: A sequence of maxims advises against contradicting those more learned for
the sake of appearing wise, warns that association with the wicked corrupts even
the good, counsels not exposing others' secret faults, compares unused knowledge
to ploughed but unsown land, and distinguishes outer physical appearance from
inner moral character.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: A person who argues with someone more learned in order to be taken as wise
is said to confirm others in thinking him a fool.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: The passage advises not to contradict a superior person in conversation, even
if one knows better.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: One who associates with the wicked is said to see no good.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: An angel from heaven associating with a demon is described as learning brutality,
perfidy, and hypocrisy.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:5
text: The passage says virtue cannot be learned from the vicious.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:6
text: A wolf is described as tearing skins rather than mending them.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:7
text: The passage warns not to expose the secret failings of mankind because it
brings scandal on them and distrust on oneself.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:8
text: A person who gains knowledge but does not practise it is compared to someone
who ploughs land and leaves it unsown.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:9
text: The passage says a handsome physical exterior does not necessarily indicate
a good moral character.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:10
text: Business or virtue is said to reside in the heart rather than in the skin.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:11
text: Intellectual faculties may be assessed quickly, but innate baseness of the
heart may take years to detect.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: person arguing with one more learned
description: A person who disputes with someone more learned in order to appear
wise.
role_refs:
- role:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: one more learned / superior person
description: A person described as more learned or superior in conversation.
role_refs:
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: angel from heaven
description: An angel used in an example of association with a demon.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: demon
description: A demon whose company is said to teach brutality, perfidy, and hypocrisy.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: wolf
description: A wolf used as an example of one whose occupation is to tear skins,
not mend them.
role_refs:
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: person exposing secret failings
description: An implied person warned not to reveal the hidden faults of others.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: person with unused knowledge
description: A person who acquires knowledge but does not practise it.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: plougher leaving land unsown
description: A comparison figure who ploughs land but does not sow it.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: person with handsome exterior
description: A person whose physical appearance may not correspond to moral character.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
roles:
- id: role:1
label: foolish disputer
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The passage says such argument confirms others in thinking the person a fool.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:2
label: learned superior
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: The person is described as more learned or superior in conversation.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:3
label: good being vulnerable to corrupting association
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: Even an angel from heaven is said to learn bad traits by associating with
a demon.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:4
label: corrupting associate
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: The demon is the source from whom brutality, perfidy, and hypocrisy are learned
in the example.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:5
label: natural destroyer
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: The wolf is said to tear skins rather than mend them.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:6
label: revealer of faults
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: The passage addresses someone who might expose the secret failings of mankind.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: role:7
label: knower without practice
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: The person acquires knowledge and does not practise it.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:8
label: unproductive laborer
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: The plougher leaves ploughed land unsown.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:9
label: outwardly attractive but morally uncertain person
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: The passage says handsome exterior does not guarantee good moral character.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: angel and demon association
literal_form: angel from heaven associating with a demon
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:2
label: wolf tearing skins
literal_form: wolf tearing rather than mending skins
associated_figures:
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: sym:3
label: ploughed but unsown land
literal_form: land that has been ploughed and left unsown
associated_figures:
- fig:7
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: sym:4
label: heart versus skin
literal_form: heart and skin as contrasted locations of character and appearance
associated_figures:
- fig:9
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Argument with a learned superior
summary: A person seeking a reputation for wisdom argues with someone more learned
and is judged foolish; the maxim advises against contradicting a superior in conversation.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Corruption through wicked association
summary: The passage warns that company with the wicked prevents good and illustrates
this with an angel who would learn bad traits from a demon and a wolf that tears
skins.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: scene:3
label: Warning against exposing hidden faults
summary: A maxim instructs the audience not to reveal others' secret failings, since
doing so causes scandal for them and distrust toward oneself.
figure_refs:
- fig:6
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: scene:4
label: Knowledge not put into practice
summary: Unused knowledge is compared to ploughing land but leaving it unsown.
figure_refs:
- fig:7
- fig:8
symbol_refs:
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: scene:5
label: Outer appearance and inner character
summary: The passage distinguishes handsome physical exterior from moral character
and says virtue resides in the heart, while hidden baseness may take years to
detect.
figure_refs:
- fig:9
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: Practical wisdom in speech and conduct
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: The passage gives maxims about deference in conversation, choosing associates,
discretion about faults, practising knowledge, and judging character cautiously.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
confidence: high
cautions: The taxonomy reference is broad; the passage consists of ethical maxims
rather than narrative myth.
- id: motif:2
label: Corrupting companionship
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: The passage states that associating with the wicked prevents good and illustrates
that even an angel could learn vice from a demon.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
confidence: medium
cautions: This is an ethical teaching motif, not a developed mythic episode.
- id: motif:3
label: Knowledge without practice as barren labor
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: A person who acquires knowledge without practising it is compared to ploughed
but unsown land.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
confidence: high
cautions: No specific cross-cultural taxonomy ID beyond the broad wisdom family
is supplied.
- id: motif:4
label: Hidden inner character beneath outward appearance
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: The passage says beauty of exterior does not ensure moral goodness, and that
baseness of heart may take years to detect.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
confidence: high
cautions: The motif is extracted as a wisdom theme rather than as a narrative symbol
system.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: XXXIX; within lines 4312-4349
quote_or_summary: A person who argues with someone more learned to appear wise proves
himself foolish; the passage advises not contradicting a superior in conversation.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/persian/project-gutenberg/gulistan-sadi-ross.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: XL; within lines 4312-4349
quote_or_summary: Association with the wicked is said to prevent good; an angel
associating with a demon would learn brutality, perfidy, and hypocrisy; a wolf
tears skins rather than mends them.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/persian/project-gutenberg/gulistan-sadi-ross.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: XLI; within lines 4312-4349
quote_or_summary: The passage warns not to expose the secret failings of mankind,
because this brings scandal on them and distrust on oneself.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/persian/project-gutenberg/gulistan-sadi-ross.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: XLII; within lines 4312-4349
quote_or_summary: One who acquires knowledge but does not practise it is compared
to someone who ploughs land and leaves it unsown.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/persian/project-gutenberg/gulistan-sadi-ross.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: XLVI; within lines 4312-4349
quote_or_summary: The passage says handsome physical appearance does not guarantee
good moral character; virtue resides in the heart, and hidden baseness may take
years to detect.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/persian/project-gutenberg/gulistan-sadi-ross.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: uncertain
notes: Literal extraction is straightforward. Motif candidates are broad wisdom-pattern
identifications. No comparison claims are made because the passage itself does
not explicitly support comparison to another corpus or tradition.
reviewer_status:
status: needs_review
reviewer: ''
reviewed_at: ''
notes: Machine-generated draft from OpenAI Batch; not human-reviewed.
extracted_by: openai_batch:gpt-5.5
extracted_at: '2026-04-28'
notes: |-
Used only the supplied passage and metadata. Section labels in the supplied passage differ from the passage locator note; this discrepancy is recorded in locator notes.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:persian-sadi-gulistan-ross-gutenberg__l4312-l4349
passage_sha256=1d953ef43c74a864f18b0332953c32467ba27e65c506f2d2602111572f488a2e