Rumi's Masnavi - When any one has passed beyond childhood and has become a man, the letter and the dallála become irksome to him.

When any one has passed beyond childhood and has become a man, the letter and the dallála become irksome to him.

He reads letters, (but only) for the purpose of teaching (others); he utters words, (but only) for the purpose of making (others) understand. 2070

’Tis wrong to speak by hearsay in the presence of those who see (who are endowed with vision), for it is a proof of our heedlessness and deficiency.

In the presence of the seer silence is to your advantage: on this account came (from God) the allocution, Be ye silent.

If he (the seer) bid you speak, speak gladly, but say little and do not draw out (your words) to length;

And if he bid you draw them out to length, speak with the same modesty (as before) and comply with his command,

Even as I (am complying) now, in this goodly enchantment (this enchanting poem), with (the command of) Ziyá’u ’l-Haqq (the Radiance of God) Husámu’ddín. 2075

When I am cutting short (my discourse) concerning (the Way of) righteousness, he draws me on to speak by a hundred kinds (of contrivance).

O Husámu’ddín, Radiance of the Almighty, inasmuch as thou art seeing, why dost thou seek speech (from me)?

Perchance this demand (on thy part) may arise from (thy) love for the Desired One, (as the poet said), “Give me wine to drink and tell me that it is (wine).”