خاطرات تاج السلطنه Quotes

“In cold or rainy weather I would see the servants toiling and slaving away in their scanty clothing, rewarded only by adverse comments from their mistresses and rebuked by them for no good reason. This grieved me tremendously and left me heartsick, and I would ask myself, "What difference is there between them and the ladies, except that the latter wear satin dresses and God has chosen to favor them with worldly blessings? So why should the former be the dominated, the latter the dominators?”
― Taj al-Saltaneh, خاطرات تاج السلطنه

“Preserving one's happiness is dependent on effort and action. Effort and action follow from unity. And what brings about unity? Love. What engenders love? Understanding. Whereby is understanding made whole? Knowledge.”
― Taj al-Saltaneh, خاطرات تاج السلطنه

“How is it possible for man to add a misery by choice to his catalog of miseries of compulsion?”
― Taj al-Saltaneh, خاطرات تاج السلطنه

“Having been assured that the epidemic had ended, we came into the city, which we found ravaged and its people utterly transformed. Though this epidemic was a sign of divine wrath and chastisement, we can still say that it was engendered by an inattention to hygiene and the contamination of the water. Every government's first duty is to see to the cleanliness of the streets and the water, as well as the tranquility of the people.”
― Taj al-Saltaneh, خاطرات تاج السلطنه

“Oh, my teacher! Oblivious to such an end, what lofty hopes we cherish, what unbearable suffering we inflict on our own kind, what corrupt deeds and intrigues we device to destroy the good fortune of someone we consider happy!”
― Taj al-Saltaneh, خاطرات تاج السلطنه

“Every daughter has a duty to mourn the loss of her father, and I grieve for mine as a daughter should. But I am infinitely more unhappy and heart-stricken for this soil, this land of my birth and upbringing. Now, as I write this, it seems as though the veil of ignorance is lifted from my sight and all the events of the past are marching before me in a procession. O woe for the country and nation that was made a sacrifice to one man's avarice!”
― Taj al-Saltaneh, خاطرات تاج السلطنه

“What is life but a trail of fast-sinking hopes and desires? A sage Arab poet-philosopher has said, "Life is pain and torment from beginning to end. I wonder not, except at him who wishes to prolong this lifetime of suffering." A momentary pause shows us that this definition is not an exercise in fantasy or oratory. Not a day or an hour passes without numerous proofs and reinforcements of its validity. Has not everyone passionately explored life's battleground of struggle?”
― Taj al-Saltaneh, خاطرات تاج السلطنه

“The reigning silence produced an effect as of nature having gone to sleep and laying its head on the pillow of death's brother. Joining hands with this silence was the darkness of the night, which added to one's fears. The eardrum, straining in every direction, despaired of vibrating with any sound. Only the tree branches waving in the evening breeze punctured the silence with their echo.”
― Taj al-Saltaneh, خاطرات تاج السلطنه

“I remember clearly my pink silk brocade dress, covered with gold lace and other patterns. It resembled the costume of dancers who performed at the theater: a short camisole which puffed up with the aid of a device attached to springs. To this was added a thin lacework veil fully covered with silver embroidery. Around my head was tied what they called a "Qajari-style" headpiece, consisting of cloth and cotton; two long artificial ears, inlaid with gems and covered with glossy gold coins, protruded from my head.”
― Taj al-Saltaneh, خاطرات تاج السلطنه