Rumi's Masnavi - The (right) plot is that he (the prisoner) digs a hole in his prison (in order to escape); if he blocks up the hole, that is a foolish plot.

The (right) plot is that he (the prisoner) digs a hole in his prison (in order to escape); if he blocks up the hole, that is a foolish plot.

مکر آن باشد که زندان حفره کرد ** آن که حفره بست آن مکری ست سرد

This world is the prison, and we are the prisoners: dig a hole in the prison and let yourself out!

این جهان زندان و ما زندانیان ** حفره کن زندان و خود را وارهان‌‌

What is this world? To be forgetful of God; it is not merchandise and silver and weighing-scales and women.

چیست دنیا از خدا غافل بدن ** نی قماش و نقره و میزان و زن‌‌

As regards the wealth that you carry for religion's sake, “How good is righteous wealth (for the righteous man)!” as the Prophet recited.

مال را کز بهر دین باشی حمول ** نعم مال صالح خواندش رسول‌‌

Water in the boat is the ruin of the boat, (but) water underneath the boat is a support. 985

آب در کشتی هلاک کشتی است ** آب اندر زیر کشتی پشتی است‌‌

Since he cast out from his heart (the desire for) wealth and possessions, on that account Solomon did not call himself (by any name) but “poor.”

چون که مال و ملک را از دل براند ** ز آن سلیمان خویش جز مسکین نخواند

The stoppered jar, (though) in rough water, floated on the water because of its wind-filled (empty) heart.

کوزه‌‌ی سر بسته اندر آب زفت ** از دل پر باد فوق آب رفت‌‌

When the wind of poverty is within (any one), he rests at peace on the surface of the water of the world;

باد درویشی چو در باطن بود ** بر سر آب جهان ساکن بود

Although the whole of this world is his kingdom, in the eye of his heart the kingdom is nothing.

گر چه جمله‌‌ی این جهان ملک وی است ** ملک در چشم دل او لا شی است‌‌

Therefore stopper and seal the mouth of your heart, and fill it from the Divine ventilator. 990

پس دهان دل ببند و مهر کن ** پر کنش از باد کبر من لدن‌‌