Rumi's Masnavi - Do not weave (a cocoon) round yourself, like the silkworm. You are digging a well for yourself (to fall in): dig with moderation (not too deep).

Do not weave (a cocoon) round yourself, like the silkworm. You are digging a well for yourself (to fall in): dig with moderation (not too deep).

گرد خود چون کرم پیله بر متن ** بهر خود چه می‌‌کنی اندازه کن‌‌

Deem not the weak to be without a champion: recite from the Qur’án (the words), When the help of God shall come.

مر ضعیفان را تو بی‌‌خصمی مدان ** از نبی ذا جاء نصر الله خوان‌‌

If you are an elephant and your foe fled from you, lo, the retribution came upon you, birds in flocks.

گر تو پیلی خصم تو از تو رمید ** نک جزا طیرا ابابیلت رسید

If any poor man on the earth beg for mercy, a loud tumult falls on (arises among) the Host of Heaven. 1315

گر ضعیفی در زمین خواهد امان ** غلغل افتد در سپاه آسمان‌‌

If you bite him with your teeth and make him bleed, toothache will attack you—how will you do (then)?

گر بدندانش گزی پر خون کنی ** درد دندانت بگیرد چون کنی‌‌

The lion saw himself in the well, and in his fury he did not know himself at that moment from the enemy.

شیر خود را دید در چه وز غلو ** خویش را نشناخت آن دم از عدو

He regarded his own reflexion as his enemy: necessarily he drew a sword against himself.

عکس خود را او عدوی خویش دید ** لا جرم بر خویش شمشیری کشید

Oh, many an iniquity that you see in others is your own nature (reflected) in them, O reader!

ای بسا ظلمی که بینی از کسان ** خوی تو باشد در ایشان ای فلان‌‌

In them shone forth all that you are in your hypocrisy and iniquity and insolence. 1320

اندر ایشان تافته هستی تو ** از نفاق و ظلم و بد مستی تو

You are that (evil-doer), and you are striking those blows at yourself: you are weaving a curse upon yourself at that moment.

آن تویی و آن زخم بر خود می‌‌زنی ** بر خود آن دم تار لعنت می‌‌تنی‌‌