Muallim Naci’s (1849-1893) translations of passages from Arabic and Persian books, which he serialized while managing the Saadet Newspaper, were published in book form in 1303/1885-86. This work, which consists of short anecdotes he named Nevâdirü’l Ekâbir, features examples of rare and extraordinary situations involving historical figures such as scholars, poets, philosophers, and rulers, who appear in the book through their words, their responses to events and situations, or their skill in resolving issues. Muallim Naci states that he named his treatise “Nevâdirü’l Ekâbir” because most of the anecdotes are attributed to ‘ekâbir’—that is, great men such as poets, scholars, and rulers, or people of high standing—and because they are ‘nevâdir’, meaning things that are rare and seldom encountered.

Containing quite interesting examples in terms of showing different perspectives and ways of thinking, this work is also notable for illustrating the discernment and insight of these great figures (ekâbir) through their words and deeds, sometimes in response to unusual questions, and sometimes in the face of what could be called absurd, meaningless, or foolish situations, or discourteous rudeness.

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“When Ibrahim bin Edhem was asked, ‘Why do you not meet and establish closeness with the people?’ he replied, ‘If I speak with those below me, I am pained and hurt by their ignorance; if I meet with those above me, I cannot endure the arrogance they show; and if I join with my peers and equals, they envy me, and that is why!’”

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“During his sermons, Hâtim-i Asam would say, ‘I am angered by those who are inwardly in league with Iblis (Satan) while outwardly acting against the poor wretch!’”

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“When asked ‘When does wisdom reach perfection in a person?’ by those who inquired, a perfect sage replied, ‘When one begins not to deign to be pleased by the praise of the people regarding oneself, nor to be saddened by their condemnation!’”