THE SINAMMAR’S ALLEGORY! L’ALLÉGORIE DE SINAMMAR!






English version 


In Arabic culture, there is a very famous tale concerning the Lakhmid king Al-Nu'man (around the 5th century).


He ordered a genius Byzantine architect, Sinammār, to build him the most magnificent of palaces: the Khawarnaq.


Once the palace was completed, the king went up to the roof with the architect to admire the view. Sinammār had the misfortune of boasting about two things: he could have done even better if he had been paid more, and there was a keystone in the foundations that only he knew about, which, if removed, would cause the building to collapse.


To ensure that the secret died with him and that he would never build anything as beautiful again, the king threw him off the roof.


This episode gave rise to an Arabic proverb still used today: "Receiving the reward of Sinammār," which refers to extreme ingratitude in return for a good deed.


Beware to those of you who like to dine with the devil; make sure you have a very long spoon!

(Note: The French text uses "fourchette" (fork), but the traditional English equivalent for this idiom is "a very long spoon," stemming from the proverb "He who sups with the devil should have a long spoon.")




Version française 


Dans la culture arabe, il existe un conte très célèbre concernant le roi lakhmide Al-Nu'man (vers le Ve siècle). 


Il ordonna à un architecte byzantin de génie, Sinammār, de lui construire le plus magnifique des palais : le Khawarnaq.


Une fois le palais achevé, le roi monta sur le toit avec l'architecte pour admirer la vue. Sinammār eut le malheur de se vanter de deux choses : il aurait pu faire encore mieux si on l'avait mieux payé, et il existait dans les fondations une pierre maîtresse que lui seul connaissait, et qui, si elle était retirée, ferait s'effondrer l'édifice. 


Pour s'assurer que le secret meure avec lui et qu'il ne construise jamais rien d'aussi beau, le roi le précipita du haut du toit.


Cet épisode a donné naissance à un proverbe arabe toujours utilisé aujourd'hui : « Recevoir la récompense de Sinammār », qui désigne une extrême ingratitude en retour d'une bonne action.


Attention à vous qui aimez dîner avec le diable; assurez-vous que vous ayez une très longue fourchette !





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