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

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

And if he speak infidelity, it has the scent of (the true) religion, and if he speak doubtfully, his doubt turns to certainty.

ور بگوید کفر دارد بوی دین ** ور به شک گوید شکش گردد یقین‌‌

The perverse froth that has risen from a sea of sincerity— that branch (derivative) has been adorned by the pure root (source).

کف کژ کز بحر صدقی خاسته است ** اصل صاف آن فرع را آراسته است‌‌

Know that its froth is pure and worthy: know that it is like revilement from the lips of the beloved,

آن کفش را صافی و محقوق دان ** همچو دشنام لب معشوق دان‌‌

Whose unsought reproaches have become sweet (to the lover) for the sake of her cheek which he desires. 2885

گشته آن دشنام نامطلوب او ** خوش ز بهر عارض محبوب او

If he (the lover of God) speak falsehood, it seems (like) the truth. O (fine) falsehood that would adorn (even) the truth!

گر بگوید کژ نماید راستی ** ای کژی که راست را آراستی‌‌

If you cook (a confection) of sugar in the form of a loaf of bread, it will taste of candy, not of bread, while you are sucking it.

از شکر گر شکل نانی می‌‌پزی ** طعم قند آید نه نان چون می‌‌مزی‌‌

If a true believer find a golden idol, how should he leave it (there) for the sake of every idolator?

ور بیابد مومنی زرین وثن ** کی هلد آن را برای هر شمن‌‌

Nay, he will take it and cast it into the fire: he will break (destroy) its borrowed (unreal) form,

بلکه گیرد اندر آتش افکند ** صورت عاریتش را بشکند

In order that the idol-shape may not remain on the gold, because Form hinders and waylays (those who seek Reality). 2890

تا نماند بر ذهب شکل وثن ** ز آن که صورت مانع است و راه زن‌‌