Sadi

Born in Shiraz around the early 13th century, Saadi—often called Saadi of Shiraz—became one of the great masters of classical Persian literature. He studied in Baghdad and was known not only as a poet but also as a prose writer whose language feels graceful, direct, and remarkably modern.

He is best remembered for two major works: Bustan (The Orchard), written in verse, and Gulistan (The Rose Garden), a blend of prose and poetry. In these books, he brings together moral reflection, humor, storytelling, and practical insight, often using short scenes and anecdotes to explore how people behave toward one another.

Saadi's writing has had an enormous influence in Persian literature and far beyond it. Readers still return to him for the same reason they always have: he can be gentle, worldly, funny, and deeply humane all at once.