People are respected not for the elegance of their clothing or the prestige of their positions, but for the power and wisdom they embody. History is filled with countless stories, some grounded in reality, while others are embellished with myth and exaggeration. What follows is not a myth or an exaggeration, but a true account that illustrates how powerful countries command respect. The following story teaches us how connotations can be used to demonstrate a country’s superpower. It took place during the reign of Ottoman Sultan Selim I (1470–1520), the ninth ruler of the empire.
Sultan Selim gave little importance to outward appearance. His ministers and senior officials followed his example to the extent that the royal court was completely free of luxury or refined clothing. Yet, no one dared to raise the issue with the Sultan directly. One day, the Grand Vizier seized the opportunity during a visit by a European ambassador to the court. Approaching the Sultan cautiously, he said, “Your Majesty, our enemy lacks sound judgment. He tends to focus on superficial matters and places excessive importance on appearances. Therefore, it may be fitting, Your Majesty...” Before he could finish, Sultan Selim interrupted by saying, “Yes, let’s do it. You, too, prepare elegant clothing for yourselves.”
The ministers were thrilled by the royal directive. On the day of the ambassador’s visit, they were dressed in their finest garments and expected the Sultan to appear similarly adorned. Sultan Selim had ordered an unsheathed sword to be placed on the throne shortly before the ambassador’s arrival. The ministers and senior state officials gathered in the royal court, eagerly awaiting the Sultan’s arrival. They anticipated that the Sultan would attend the occasion dressed differently than usual. To their surprise, the Sultan entered wearing his old clothes.
The ministers were taken aback and embarrassed, as their attire was more elaborate and expensive than that of the Sultan. They stood in silence and waited for an explanation to know the reason. At the appointed time, the ambassador entered and stood before the Sultan, bowing, kneeling, and trembling. After exchanging a few words, the ambassador quickly departed. The Sultan then instructed one of his ministers to ask the ambassador’s opinion about the Sultan’s attire. The ambassador’s response was startling: “I did not notice the great Sultan. The unsheathed sword fastened to the throne caught my attention, and I saw nothing else.” Upon hearing this, the Sultan pointed to the sword, which was still positioned next to the throne, and said, “As long as the edge of the sword is sharp, the enemy’s eye will neither see nor pay attention to our attire. Today, we are devoid of swords, and all we care about is clothing and appearances.”
