Rumi's Masnavi - By that means I have become thus naughted, like vinegar, in thee (who art) an ocean of honey.”

By that means I have become thus naughted, like vinegar, in thee (who art) an ocean of honey.”

زان سبب فانی شدم من این چنین ** هم‌چو سرکه در تو بحر انگبین

As the stone that is entirely turned into pure ruby: it is filled with the qualities of the sun. 2025

هم‌چو سنگی کو شود کل لعل ناب ** پر شود او از صفات آفتاب

That stony nature does not remain in it: back and front, it is filled with sunniness.

وصف آن سنگی نماند اندرو ** پر شود از وصف خور او پشت و رو

Afterwards, if it love itself, that (self-love) is love of the sun, O youth;

بعد از آن گر دوست دارد خویش را ** دوستی خور بود آن ای فتا

And if it love the sun with (all) its soul, ’tis undoubtedly love of itself.

ور که خود را دوست دارد ای بجان ** دوستی خویش باشد بی‌گمان

Whether the pure ruby loves itself or whether it loves the sun,

خواه خود را دوست دارد لعل ناب ** خواه تا او دوست دارد آفتاب

There is really no difference in these two loves: both sides (aspects) are naught but the radiance of the sunrise. 2030

اندرین دو دوستی خود فرق نیست ** هر دو جانب جز ضیای شرق نیست

Until it (the stone) has become a ruby, it is an enemy to itself, because it is not a single “I”: two “I's” are there;

تا نشد او لعل خود را دشمنست ** زانک یک من نیست آنجا دو منست

For the stone is dark and blind to the day (-light): the dark is essentially opposed to light.

زانک ظلمانیست سنگ و روزکور ** هست ظلمانی حقیقت ضد نور

(If) it love itself, it is an infidel, because it offers intense resistance to the supreme Sun.

خویشتن را دوست دارد کافرست ** زانک او مناع شمس اکبرست