Rumi's Masnavi - If the sick man become an enemy to the physician, or if the boy show hostility to the teacher,

If the sick man become an enemy to the physician, or if the boy show hostility to the teacher,

گر شود بیمار دشمن با طبیب ** ور کند کودک عداوت با ادیب‏

In truth they act as brigands against themselves: they themselves waylay their own mind and spirit.

در حقیقت ره زن جان خودند ** راه عقل و جان خود را خود زدند

If a fuller take offence at the sun, if a fish is taking offence at the water, 800

گازری گر خشم گیرد ز آفتاب ** ماهیی گر خشم می‏گیرد ز آب‏

Just once consider whom that (anger) injures, and whose star is eclipsed by it in the end.

تو یکی بنگر که را دارد زیان ** عاقبت که بود سیاه اختر از آن‏

If God create you with ugly features, take care lest you become both ugly-featured and ugly-natured;

گر ترا حق آفریند زشت رو ** هان مشو هم زشت رو هم زشت خو

And if He take away your shoes, do not go into stony ground; and if you have two spikes, don't become four-spiked.

ور برد کفشت مرو در سنگلاخ ** ور دو شاخ استت مشو تو چار شاخ‏

You are envious, saying, “I am inferior to so-and-so: he (by his superior position) is increasing my inferiority in fortune.”

تو حسودی کز فلان من کمترم ** می‏فزاید کمتری در اخترم‏

(But) indeed envy is another defect and fault; nay, it is worse than all inferiorities. 805

خود حسد نقصان و عیبی دیگر است ** بلکه از جمله کمیها بدتر است‏

That Devil (Satan), through the shame and disgrace of inferiority (to Adam), cast himself into a hundred damnations.

آن بلیس از ننگ و عار کمتری ** خویش را افکند در صد ابتری‏

Because of envy, he wished to be at the top. At the top, forsooth! Nay, (he wished) to be a blood-shedder.

از حسد می‏خواست تا بالا بود ** خود چه بالا بلکه خون‏پالا بود