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Primary sourceBook16th century

Sakın aldanma cihâna (Turkish Poem by Suleiman)

Suleiman the Magnificent · 16th century

A moralizing Turkish poem by Suleiman the Magnificent warning against pride and attachment to worldly power.

Written by Suleiman himself, this poem shows his reflections on humility despite his vast power.

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Source: Wikisource

About this source

What it is

This Turkish poem is attributed to Suleiman the Magnificent, composed under his pen name Muhibbi. It is listed among his collected poems on Turkish Wikisource.

Why it matters

The poem warns against arrogance and attachment to worldly success, invoking religious and historical examples of downfall. Coming from a sultan at the height of imperial power, it reveals a tension between earthly rule and spiritual humility.

Look closer

  • What warnings does the poem give about pride and power?
  • Why might a ruler at the height of his power choose to write about humility?
  • What historical or religious figures does the poem reference, and why?

This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Suleiman the Magnificent on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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