Rumi's Masnavi - Again he would say, “Oh, I wonder—that wretched servant! Did not he partake of bread and salt with us?

Again he would say, “Oh, I wonder—that wretched servant! Did not he partake of bread and salt with us?

باز می‏گفت ای عجب آن خادمک ** نه که با ما گشت هم نان و نمک‏

I showed him nothing but courtesy and mildness: why should he on the contrary show hatred towards me?

من نکردم با وی الا لطف و لین ** او چرا با من کند بر عکس کین‏

Every enmity must rest on some cause; otherwise, our common humanity would dictate faithfulness (in friendship).”

هر عداوت را سبب باید سند ** ور نه جنسیت وفا تلقین کند

Then he would say again, “When had Adam, the kind and generous, done an injury to Iblís?

باز می‏گفت آدم با لطف وجود ** کی بر آن ابلیس جوری کرده بود

What was done by man to snake and scorpion that they wish (to inflict) death and pain upon him? 230

آدمی مر مار و کژدم را چه کرد ** کاو همی‏خواهد مر او را مرگ و درد

To rend is the instinct of the wolf: after all, this envy is conspicuous in mankind.”

گرگ را خود خاصیت بدریدن است ** این حسد در خلق آخر روشن است‏

Again he would say, “It is wrong thus to think evil: why have I such thoughts against my brother?”

باز می‏گفت این گمان بد خطاست ** بر برادر این چنین ظنم چراست‏

Then he would say, “Prudence consists in your thinking evil: how shall he that thinks no evil remain unhurt?”

باز گفتی حزم سوء الظن تست ** هر که بد ظن نیست کی ماند درست‏

The Súfí was in (this) anxiety, and (meanwhile) the ass was in such a plight that—may it befall our enemies!

صوفی اندر وسوسه و آن خر چنان ** که چنین بادا جز ای دشمنان‏

That poor ass was amidst earth and stones, with his saddle crooked and his halter torn, 235

آن خر مسکین میان خاک و سنگ ** کژ شده پالان دریده پالهنگ‏