I read once a quote I liked, but I can’t find it again. The author is supposed to be, I believe, a Moor ruler in Spain, when this country was under arab rule (but I could be wrong, and it could be another arab ruler).
The quote is along the following line : the king/prince enumerate all his blessings (he reigned on the wealthiest kingdom on earth, had the most beautiful wives, the most luxurious palace, etc…) and finally add that there was exactly 5 days (or a similar number) in his whole live during which he was actually happy.
Does anybody knows about this quote, and can point out to its exact wording and the name of the ruler to whom it is attributed?
And the most frustrating thing is, I know that quote, too, but I always heard it as coming from either a European (i.e. Christian) prince, like Kaiser Wilhelm II or somebody like that, or from an American industrialist like John D. Rockefeller or Andrew Carnegie.
Sorry I can’t be more helpful.
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I have now reigned above fifty years in victory and peace, beloved by my subjects, dreaded by my enemies, and respected by my allies. Riches and honors, power and pleasure, have waited on my call, nor does any earthly blessing appear to be wanting for my felicity. In this situation, I have diligently numbered the days of pure and genuine happiness which have fallen to my lot: they amount to fourteen. O man, place not thy confidence in this present world!
Abd-El-Raham
http://www.geocities.com/dhannotte/Quotes.htm
http://www.paradise-engineering.com/quotation/