Rumi's Masnavi - Bread and meat are (originally) clay: eat little thereof, that you may not remain in the earth, like clay.

Bread and meat are (originally) clay: eat little thereof, that you may not remain in the earth, like clay.

نان گل است و گوشت کمتر خور از این ** تا نمانی همچو گل اندر زمین‌‌

When you become hungry, you become a dog: you become fierce and ill-tempered and ill-natured.

چون گرسنه می‌‌شوی سگ می‌‌شوی ** تند و بد پیوند و بد رگ می‌‌شوی‌‌

When you have eaten your fill, you have become a carcase: you have become devoid of understanding and without feet (inert), like a wall.

چون شدی تو سیر مرداری شدی ** بی‌‌خبر بی‌‌پا چو دیواری شدی‌‌

So at one time you are a carcase and at another time a dog: how will you run well in the road of the lions (follow the saints)? 2875

پس دمی مردار و دیگر دم سگی ** چون کنی در راه شیران خوش تگی‌‌

Know that your only means of hunting is the dog (the animal soul): throw bones to the dog but seldom,

آلت اشکار خود جز سگ مدان ** کمترک انداز سگ را استخوان‌‌

Because when the dog has eaten its fill, it becomes rebellious: how should it run to the goodly chase and hunt?

ز آن که سگ چون سیر شد سرکش شود ** کی سوی صید و شکار خوش دود

Want of food was leading the Arab till he arrived at that (exalted) court and that (high) fortune.

آن عرب را بی‌‌نوایی می‌‌کشید ** تا بدان درگاه و آن دولت رسید

We have related in the (foregoing) story the kindness shown by the King to that needy one who had no refuge.

در حکایت گفته‌‌ایم احسان شاه ** در حق آن بی‌‌نوای بی‌‌پناه‌‌

Whatsoever the man in love (with God) speaks, the scent of Love is springing from his mouth into the abode of Love. 2880

هر چه گوید مرد عاشق بوی عشق ** از دهانش می‌‌جهد در کوی عشق‌‌

If he speak (formal) theology, it all turns to (spiritual) poverty: the scent of poverty comes from that man of sweet and beguiling discourse.

گر بگوید فقه فقر آید همه ** بوی فقر آید از آن خوش دمدمه‌‌