"The pleasures of this world"

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The pleasures of this world are delightful
from a distance before the actual test.
From a distance they appear to be refreshing water,
but when you approach them, you find they are a mirage.
The world's bait is visible, but the trap is hidden:
at first sight, the world's favors seem sweet.

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Hamchonân jomleh-ye na`im-e in jahân
bas khvoshast az dur pish az emtehân
Mi namâyad dar nazar az dur âb
chon ravi nazdik bâshad ân sarâb
shkârâ dâneh panhân dâm-e u
khvosh namâyad ze avvalet an`âm-e u

-- Mathnawi VI:316-317; 321
Version by Camille and Kabir Helminski
"Rumi: Jewels of Remembrance"
Threshold Books, 1996
Persian transliteration courtesy of Yahyá Monastra

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"The pleasures of this world"