The Pursuit of Adab: Ethics, Manners, and Wisdom in Classical Persian Writings

In the rich tapestry of Persian literature, adab—a term encompassing etiquette, ethics, and cultivated conduct—shines as both ideal and guide. From princely manuals to poetic anthologies, classical authors wove adab into stories and treatises alike, teaching readers how to live with honor, generosity, and inner refinement. Today, these timeless lessons still resonate for anyone seeking grace in word and deed.

1. What Is Adab?

At its core, adab means “proper behavior,” but in Persian thought it extends far beyond superficial manners. It implies:

• Ethical awareness: knowing right from wrong and acting justly

• Social poise: speaking and listening with tact

• Intellectual cultivation: valuing knowledge, reflection, and self-improvement

• Spiritual humility: recognizing one’s place before God and community

Adab is the bridge between theory and practice, ensuring that wisdom does not remain abstract but transforms character.

2. Princely Guides: Manuals of Courtly Conduct

Nizām al-Mulk’s Siyāsatnāma (11th c.)

Written for the young Seljuk princes, this “Book of Government” lays out not only administrative advice but also chapters on adab: how a ruler greets a suppliant, dispenses justice without arrogance, and cultivates loyalty through fairness rather than fear.

Adab al-Mulk and Mirror for Princes Traditions

Following in Nizām’s footsteps, later viziers and scholars produced manuals—often called “Mirrors for Princes”—that interspersed practical statecraft with reflections on generosity, humility, and the etiquette of assembly. A well-turned phrase in council was as valuable as a well-forged decree.

3. Adab in Sufi Wisdom: Rumi, Attar, and Beyond

Sufi masters placed adab at the …