The Faithful Companion

In this world you have three companions:
one is faithful, the others are treacherous.
The latter are friends and possessions;
the faithful one is excellence in deeds.
Your wealth won't come with you out of your palace;
your friend will come, but only as far as the grave.
When the day of doom comes to meet you,
your friend will say, "I've come this far, but no farther.
I will stand a while at your grave."
Your deeds alone are faithful: make them your refuge,
for they alone will accompany you into the depths of the tomb.

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Dar zamâneh mar torâ seh hamrahand
ân yeki vâfi va in do ghadrmand
Ân yeki yârân va digar rakht o mâl
vân sevom vâfiyast vân hosn-e af`âl
Mâl na-âyad bâ to birun az qosur
yâr âyad lik âyad tâ be-gur
Chon torâ ruz-e ajal âyad be-pish
yâr guyad az zabân-e hâl-e khvish
"Tâ bedinjâ pish hamrah nistam
bar sar-e guret zamâni bistam"
Fe`l-e to vâfiyast zu kon moltahad
keh dar âyad bâ to dar qa`r-e lahd

-- Mathnawi V: 1045-1050
Version by Camille and Kabir Helminski
"Rumi: Jewels of Remembrance"
Threshold Books, 1996
(Persian transliteration courtesy of Yahyá Monastra)

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The Faithful Companion