First Published in 2001. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

These extremely entertaining shorter pieces by the leader of Islamic literary culture aim to instruct us on matters of moral and social concern. They cover such uses as chanteuses, the pleasure of girls and boys, this life and the life to come, drink and drinkers, envy, and the superiority of the front to the back. Always taking a moral tone, Jahiz seldom fails to lighten with humour and wit.