Book contents
- Medieval Muslim Mirrors for Princes
- Cambridge Texts in the History of Political Thought
- Medieval Muslim Mirrors for Princes
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Figures and Maps
- Preface and Acknowledgements
- Conventions
- Abbreviations
- Part I Introduction
- Part II Texts
- 5 The Nature of Sovereignty
- 6 The King’s Person and Character
- 7 Foundations of Royal Authority and Principles of Governance
- 8 The Practice of Good Governance
- 9 Problems in the Kingdom and Their Remedies
- Appendix Index of Qurʾanic References and Quotations
- Glossary
- Bibliography
- Index
- Cambridge Texts in the History of Political Thought
6 - The King’s Person and Character
from Part II - Texts
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 January 2023
- Medieval Muslim Mirrors for Princes
- Cambridge Texts in the History of Political Thought
- Medieval Muslim Mirrors for Princes
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Figures and Maps
- Preface and Acknowledgements
- Conventions
- Abbreviations
- Part I Introduction
- Part II Texts
- 5 The Nature of Sovereignty
- 6 The King’s Person and Character
- 7 Foundations of Royal Authority and Principles of Governance
- 8 The Practice of Good Governance
- 9 Problems in the Kingdom and Their Remedies
- Appendix Index of Qurʾanic References and Quotations
- Glossary
- Bibliography
- Index
- Cambridge Texts in the History of Political Thought
Summary
In the mirror literature, power and sovereignty are identified with the king’s person. The king’s conduct established a model, which his subjects would follow; consequently, the ruler’s actions and behaviour determined the nature of the polity. The king’s cultivation of virtue is, in consequence, a pragmatic as well as a moral imperative. The mirror-writers insist on the importance of the king’s self-discipline as a prerequisite for his governing other people; if he is unable to govern himself, he will be incapable of governing anyone else. The three extracts in this section describe the virtuous and effective king. From different perspectives, they treat some of the ethical and philosophical problems of human nature; in particular, they discuss how to strengthen, acquire and practise virtues and how to overcome and eradicate vices. The texts in this section are drawn from Yūsuf Khāṣṣ Ḥājib, Kutadgu bilig; al-Māwardī, Tashīl al-naẓar wa-taʿjīl al-ẓafar; and Kaykāʾūs, Qābūsnāmeh.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Medieval Muslim Mirrors for PrincesAn Anthology of Arabic, Persian and Turkish Political Advice, pp. 143 - 179Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2023