Rumi's Masnavi - But those sparks, in respect of their being the final cause, are from this point of view far in front of (superior to) the iron and stone.

But those sparks, in respect of their being the final cause, are from this point of view far in front of (superior to) the iron and stone. 1965

و آن شرر از روی مقصودی خویش ** ز آهن و سنگ است زین رو پیش و بیش‏

The stone and iron are first, and the sparks last; but these twain are the body, and the sparks are the soul.

سنگ و آهن اول و پایان شرر ** لیک این هر دو تنند و جان شرر

If those sparks are posterior in time, (yet) in quality they are higher than the stone and iron.

آن شرر گر در زمان واپس‏تر است ** در صفت از سنگ و آهن برتر است‏

The bough is prior to the fruit in time, (but) it (the fruit) is superior to the bough in excellence.

در زمان شاخ از ثمر سابق‏تر است ** در هنر از شاخ او فایق‏تر است‏

Since the fruit is the final cause of the tree, it follows that the fruit is (really) first, the tree last.

چون که مقصود از شجر آمد ثمر ** پس ثمر اول بود و آخر شجر

When the bear cried out for help against the dragon, a valiant man removed it from the (dragon's) claws. 1970

خرس چون فریاد کرد از اژدها ** شیر مردی کرد از جنگش جدا

Cunning and courage gave support to each other: by this strength he slew the dragon.

حیلت و مردی بهم دادند پشت ** اژدها را او بدین قوت بکشت‏

The dragon has strength, (but) it has not cunning; again, there is a cunning above your cunning.

اژدها را هست قوت حیله نیست ** نیز فوق حیله‏ی تو حیله‏ای است‏

When you have regarded your own cunning, go back (and see) whence it came: go to the origin.

حیله‏ی خود را چو دیدی باز رو ** کز کجا آمد سوی آغاز رو

Whatever is below has come from above: come on, turn your eye towards the height.

هر چه در پستی است آمد از علا ** چشم را سوی بلندی نه هلا