Tuesday, September 22, 2009

[Sunlight] Take simplicity as your companion

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O, how often have knowledge and wit
become as deadly to the wayfarer as any demon or bandit!
Most of those destined for Paradise are simple-minded,
so that they escape from the mischief of philosophy.
Strip yourself of useless learning and vanity,
so that every moment Divine mercy may descend upon you.
Cleverness is the opposite of humbleness and supplication:
give up cleverness and take simplicity as your companion.
Know that cleverness is a trap for victory and ambition:
why should the pure devotee wish to be clever?
The clever are content with an ingenious device;
the simple have left all artifice
to be at rest with the Artificer,
because at breakfast time a mother will have gathered
the little child's hands and feet in repose upon her breast.

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Ay basâ `elm o zakâvât o fetan
gashteh rah-raw-râ ghul o râh-zan
Bish-tar as.hâb-e Jannat ablahand
tâ ze sharr-e faylasufi mi rahand
Khvish-râ `oryân kon az fazl o fozul
tâ konad rahmat beh-to har dam nozul
Ziraki zedd-e shekast ast o niyâz
zireki bo-g'zâr o bâ guli be-sâz
Ziraki dân dâm-e bard o tama` o gâz
tâ cheh khvâhad zireki-râ pâk bâz
Zirakân bâ san`ati qâne` shodeh
ablahân az son` dar Sâne` shodeh
Zânkeh tefl-e khord-râ mâdar nahâr
dast o pâ bâshad nehâdeh bar kenâr

-- Mathnawi VI:2369-2375
Version by Camille and Kabir Helminski
"Rumi: Jewels of Remembrance"
Threshold Books, 1996
(Persian transliteration courtesy of Yahyá Monastra)


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