Rumi's Masnavi - “Pass on,” said he; “thou hast spoken well, else by reason of my fear I should have shot a barb at thee.”

“Pass on,” said he; “thou hast spoken well, else by reason of my fear I should have shot a barb at thee.”

گفت رو که نیک گفتی ور نه نیش ** بر تو می‏انداختم از ترس خویش‏

Many are they whom implements of war have slain, (since they held) such a sword in their hands, without the manhood (to use it).

بس کسان را کالت پیکار کشت ** بی‏رجولیت چنان تیغی به مشت‏

If you don the armour of Rustams, your soul goes (your life is lost) when you are not the man for it.

گر بپوشی تو سلاح رستمان ** رفت جانت چون نباشی مرد آن‏

Make your soul a shield and drop the sword, O son: whoever is headless (selfless) saves his head from this King. 3170

جان سپر کن تیغ بگذار ای پسر ** هر که بی‏سر بود از این شه برد سر

Those weapons of yours are your (selfish) contriving and plotting; they have sprung from you and at the same time have wounded your soul.

آن سلاحت حیله و مکر تو است ** هم ز تو زایید و هم جان تو خست‏

Since you have gained nothing by these contrivings, abandon contrivance, that happy fortunes may meet (you).

چون نکردی هیچ سودی زین حیل ** ترک حیلت کن که پیش آید دول‏

Since you have not for one moment enjoyed (any) fruit from the arts (of the schools), bid farewell to the arts, and seek always the Lord of bounties.

چون که یک لحظه نخوردی بر ز فن ** ترک فن گو می‏طلب رب المنن‏

Since these sciences bring you no blessing, make yourself a dunce and leave ill luck behind.

چون مبارک نیست بر تو این علوم ** خویشتن گولی کن و بگذر ز شوم‏

Like the angels, say, “We have no knowledge, O God, except what Thou hast taught us.” 3175

چون ملایک گو که لا علم لنا ** یا الهی غیر ما علمتنا

Story of the desert Arab and his putting sand in the sack and the philosopher's rebuking him.

قصه‏ی اعرابی و ریگ در جوال کردن و ملامت کردن آن فیلسوف او را

A certain Arab of the desert loaded a camel with two big sacks—(there was) one full of grain.

یک عرابی بار کرده اشتری ** دو جوال زفت از دانه پری‏