# XCVIII explained — The Luzumiyat

> Chapter companion for The Luzumiyat by Abu al-ʻAlaʼ al-Maʻarri.

## What happens

The speaker reflects on finding scattered wisdom within the palaces of wealth, beneath the throne of Power and among those crowned with folly.

## Themes in this chapter

### Critique of Power and Hypocrisy

The chapter critiques the accumulation of wealth and power, contrasting it with the scattered wisdom found beneath the throne.

### Illusion and Reality

The 'flowers of folly' crown the slaves, suggesting a deceptive or illusory nature of the opulence and power.

## Key lines

> And in the palaces of wealth I found Some beads of wisdom scattered on the ground, Around the throne of Power, beneath the feet Of fair-faced slaves with flowers of folly crowned.

In the opulent homes of the rich, I discovered small pieces of wisdom lying disregarded, near the seat of authority, under the feet of beautiful slaves who are adorned with the symbols of foolishness.

_The speaker observes that wisdom is neglected in places of wealth and power, while those in servitude are decorated with folly._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_luzumiyat_se/chapters/xcviii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_luzumiyat_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_luzumiyat_se/chapters