Sadness for the Just

“I turn to right and left, in all the earth
I see no signs of justice, sense or worth:
A man does evil deeds, and all his days
Are filled with luck and universal praise;
Another's good in all he does - he dies
A wretched, broken man whom all despise.”
...

“Zahhak reigned for a thousand years, and from end to end the world was his to command. The wise concealed themselves and their deeds, and devils achieved their heart’s desire. Virtue was despised and magic applauded, justice hid itself away while evil flourished; demons rejoiced in their wickedness, while goodness was spoken of only in secret.”
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"All mourned when the Binder of Demons died. But his splendid son, Jamshid, his heart filled with his father's precepts, then prepared to reign. He sat on his father's throne, wearing a golden crown according to royal custom. The imperial farr was his. The world submitted to him; quarrels were laid to rest, and all demons, birds, and fairies obeyed Jamshid's commands. The royal throne shone with his luster, and the wealth of the world increased. He said, "God's glory is with me; I am both prince and priest. I hold evildoers back from their evil, and I guide souls toward the light." 

 ― Abolghasem Ferdowsi, Shahnameh: The Persian Book of Kings 

 Mourners of lost justice fill the stories of the Shahnameh. Common is blessing and good fortune for the wicked, sadness for the wise and the good. And yet the wicked, fortunate as they often are, are never blessed with the farr, divinely given glory and wisdom. For the wicked, the farr is not with them. Farr is also the sign and seal of the divine kings. Those who should be king are glorious and just, companions of the light and victorious over the forces of evil. It is to the just who should be given kingship. It is to them who are blessed with the farr. 

 I was watching Better Call Saul the other night which finally released its sixth season to Netflix. The character Nacho Varga, son of the honest owner of a car upholstery repair shop, Manuel Varga, finds his life entangled in the competing wills of vicious cartel bosses. Nacho is left with no option but to fulfill the wishes of his evil cartel boss after the boss threatens the life of his father should Nacho fail in his duties. Fearing his father's danger, Nacho goes to Manuel to warn him and pleads for him leave to safety. Saddened by his son's condition, Manuel tells Nacho that instead of taking his money and leaving town to safety, he will remain an honest man along with its risks. He tells Nacho to be a good man and make amends. He tells his son to turn himself over to the police. 

 Nacho Varga does not. In the last act of his life, he has himself killed as a peace offering between cartel bosses, allegedly saving his father from risk. News of his son's death is brought to Manuel by Mike Ehrmantrout. Mike tells Manuel: "someday there will be justice for Nacho." Manuel responds: "Justice? My son is dead. What you speak of is revenge. You gangsters and your justice." The farr is with Manuel.