Rumi's Masnavi - 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.

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

Who is able to cleanse the channel of his (sensual) self? Man's knowledge is made beneficial (only) by God's knowledge.

جوی خود را کی تواند پاک کرد ** نافع از علم خدا شد علم مرد

How shall the sword fashion its own hilt? Go, entrust (the cure of) this wound to a surgeon.

کی تراشد تیغ دسته‌‌ی خویش را ** رو به جراحی سپار این ریش را

Flies gather on every wound, so that no one sees the foulness of his wound.

بر سر هر ریش جمع آمد مگس ** تا نبیند قبح ریش خویش کس‌‌

Those flies are your (evil) thoughts and your (love of) possessions: your wound is the darkness of your (spiritual) states;

آن مگس اندیشه‌‌ها و آن مال تو ** ریش تو آن ظلمت احوال تو

And if the Pír lays a plaster on your wound, at once the pain and lamentation are stilled, 3225

ور نهد مرهم بر آن ریش تو پیر ** آن زمان ساکن شود درد و نفیر

So that he (the patient) fancies it (the wound) is healed, (whereas in reality) the (healing) ray of the plaster has shone upon the (wounded) spot.

تا که پندارد که صحت یافته ست ** پرتو مرهم بر آن جا تافته ست‌‌