Rumi's Masnavi - There is an animal whose name is ushghur (porcupine): it is (made) stout and big by blows of the stick.

There is an animal whose name is ushghur (porcupine): it is (made) stout and big by blows of the stick.

هست حیوانی که نامش اشغرست ** او به زخم چوب زفت و لمترست

The more you cudgel it, the more it thrives: it grows fat on blows of the stick.

تا که چوبش می‌زنی به می‌شود ** او ز زخم چوب فربه می‌شود

Assuredly the true believer's soul is a porcupine, for it is (made) stout and fat by the blows of tribulation.

نفس مومن اشغری آمد یقین ** کو به زخم رنج زفتست و سمین

For this reason the tribulation and abasement (laid) upon the prophets is greater than (that laid upon) all the (other) creatures in the world, 100

زین سبب بر انبیا رنج و شکست ** از همه خلق جهان افزونترست

So that their souls became stouter than (all other) souls; for no other class of people suffered that affliction.

تا ز جانها جانشان شد زفت‌تر ** که ندیدند آن بلا قوم دگر

The hide is afflicted by the medicine (tan-liquor), (but) it becomes sweet like Tá’if leather;

پوست از دارو بلاکش می‌شود ** چون ادیم طایفی خوش می‌شود

And if he (the tanner) did not rub the bitter and acrid (liquor) into it, it would become fetid, unpleasant, and foul-smelling.

ورنه تلخ و تیز مالیدی درو ** گنده گشتی ناخوش و ناپاک بو

Know that Man is an untanned hide, made noisome and gross by humours.

آدمی را پوست نامدبوغ دان ** از رطوبتها شده زشت و گران

Give (him) bitter and acrid (discipline) and much rubbing (tribulation), that he may become pure and lovely and exceedingly strong; 105

تلخ و تیز و مالش بسیار ده ** تا شود پاک و لطیف و با فره

But if you cannot (mortify yourself), be content, O cunning one, if God give you tribulation without choice (on your part),

ور نمی‌توانی رضا ده ای عیار ** گر خدا رنجت دهد بی‌اختیار