Rumi's Masnavi - Because (every) contrary is certainly made evident by its contrary; because honey is perceived (to be sweet by contrast) with vinegar.

Because (every) contrary is certainly made evident by its contrary; because honey is perceived (to be sweet by contrast) with vinegar.

ز آن که ضد را ضد کند پیدا یقین ** ز آن که با سرکه پدید است انگبین‌‌

Whoever has seen and recognised his own deficiency has galloped with ten horses (made rapid progress) in perfecting himself.

هر که نقص خویش را دید و شناخت ** اندر استکمال خود ده اسبه تاخت‌‌

The reason why he (any one) is not flying towards the Lord of glory is that he supposes himself to be perfect.

ز آن نمی‌‌پرد به سوی ذو الجلال ** کاو گمانی می‌‌برد خود را کمال‌‌

There is no worse malady in your soul, O haughty one, than the conceit of perfection.

علتی بدتر ز پندار کمال ** نیست اندر جان تو ای ذو دلال‌‌

Much blood must flow from your heart and eye, that self-complacency may go out of you. 3215

از دل و از دیده‌‌ات بس خون رود ** تا ز تو این معجبی بیرون رود

The fault of Iblís lay in thinking “I am better (than Adam),” and this disease is in the soul of every (human) creature.

علت ابلیس انا خیری بده ست ** وین مرض در نفس هر مخلوق هست‌‌

Though he regard himself as very broken (in spirit), know that it is (a case of) clear water (on the surface) and dung under the stream.

گر چه خود را بس شکسته بیند او ** آب صافی دان و سرگین زیر جو

When he (the Devil) stirs you in trial, immediately the water becomes dung-coloured.

چون بشوراند ترا در امتحان ** آب سرگین رنگ گردد در زمان‌‌

There is dung in the bed of the stream, my man, though to you the stream appears pure.

در تگ جو هست سرگین ای فتی ** گر چه جو صافی نماید مر ترا

’Tis the Pír full of wisdom, well-acquainted with the Way, that digs a channel for the gardens of the Universal Soul. 3220

هست پیر راه دان پر فطن ** باغهای نفس کل را جوی کن‌‌