Rumi's Masnavi - The state (of mind) in which at last thou repentest of it (of a faulty action)—if this should be thy state (of mind) at first, how wouldst thou run (for the sake of that action)?

The state (of mind) in which at last thou repentest of it (of a faulty action)—if this should be thy state (of mind) at first, how wouldst thou run (for the sake of that action)?

حال که آخر زو پشیمان می‌شوی ** گر بود این حال اول کی دوی

Therefore He (God) at first veiled (the real nature of) that from our souls, in order that we might perform that action in accordance with the Divine destiny.

پس بپوشید اول آن بر جان ما ** تا کنیم آن کار بر وفق قضا

When the Divine destiny brought its ordainment into view, the eye was opened, so that repentance arrived.

چون قضا آورد حکم خود پدید ** چشم وا شد تا پشیمانی رسید

This repentance is another (manifestation of the) Divine destiny: abandon this repentance, worship God!

این پشیمانی قضای دیگرست ** این پشیمانی بهل حق را پرست

And if thou make (it) a habit and become addicted to repentance, because of this (habitual) repentance thou wilt become more repentant. 1340

ور کنی عادت پشیمان خور شوی ** زین پشیمانی پشیمان‌تر شوی

One half of thy life will pass in distraction and the other half will pass in repentance.

نیم عمرت در پریشانی رود ** نیم دیگر در پشیمانی رود

Take leave of this (anxious) thought and repentance: seek a better (spiritual) state and friend and work.

ترک این فکر و پریشانی بگو ** حال و یار و کار نیکوتر بجو

And if thou hast no better work in hand, then for the omission of what (work) is thy repentance?

ور نداری کار نیکوتر به دست ** پس پشیمانیت بر فوت چه است

If thou knowest the good way, worship (God); and if thou dost not know (it), how dost thou know that this way (in which thou art going) is evil?

گر همی دانی ره نیکو پرست ** ور ندانی چون بدانی کین به دست

Thou dost not know evil till thou knowest good: (only) from (one) contrary is it possible to discern (the other) contrary, O youth. 1345

بد ندانی تا ندانی نیک را ** ضد را از ضد توان دید ای فتی