Rumi's Masnavi - (The ascetic said), “How, then, have you the intelligence, how have you the (necessary) understanding to drink wine, O enemy of knowledge?

(The ascetic said), “How, then, have you the intelligence, how have you the (necessary) understanding to drink wine, O enemy of knowledge? 3480

(If) your face is very beautiful, put some indigo on it (as an ornament); (but) indigo on the face of an Abyssinian (negro) would be a laughing-stock.

When did any (spiritual) light enter into you, O misguided man, that you should become a seeker of unconsciousness and darkness?

’Tis the (approved) rule to seek the shadow during the day; (but) you seek the shadow on a cloudy night.

If it (wine) is lawful as sustenance for the common folk, (yet) it is unlawful to those who seek the Beloved.

The wine for the lovers (of God) is their heart's blood: their eyes are (fixed) upon the Way and upon the Destination. 3485

In this Way across the terrible wilderness the guide, Reason, suffers a hundred eclipses.

(If) you throw dust in the eyes of the guides, you will cause the caravan to perish and lose the way.

In sooth, barley bread is unlawful and injurious to the carnal soul: set (only) bread made of bran before it.

Keep in abject submission the enemy on the Way to God: do not place a pulpit for the robber, (but) keep him on the gibbet.