Rumi's Masnavi - Go, renounce this skill in drawing the strongbow: put the arrow to the bow and do not seek to draw to the full extent (of your power).

Go, renounce this skill in drawing the strongbow: put the arrow to the bow and do not seek to draw to the full extent (of your power).

ترک این سخته کمانی رو بگو ** در کمان نه تیر و پریدن مجو

When it (the arrow) falls, dig up the spot and search: abandon (trust in) strength and seek the gold by means of piteous supplication.”

چون بیفتد بر کن آنجا می‌طلب ** زور بگذار و بزاری جو ذهب

That which is real is nearer than the neck-artery; you have shot the arrow of thought far afield.

آنچ حقست اقرب از حبل الورید ** تو فکنده تیر فکرت را بعید

O you who have provided yourself with bow and arrows, the prey is near and you have shot far.

ای کمان و تیرها بر ساخته ** صید نزدیک و تو دور انداخته

The farther one shoots, the farther away and more separated is he from a treasure like this. 2355

هرکه دوراندازتر او دورتر ** وز چنین گنجست او مهجورتر

The philosopher killed (exhausted) himself with thinking: let him run on (in vain), for his back is turned towards the treasure.

فلسفی خود را از اندیشه بکشت ** گو بدو کوراست سوی گنج پشت

Let him run on: the more he runs, the more remote does he become from the object of his heart’s desire.

گو بدو چندانک افزون می‌دود ** از مراد دل جداتر می‌شود

That (Divine) King said, “(those who) have striven in (for) Us”: He did not say, “(those who) have striven away from Us,” O restless one,

جاهدوا فینا بگفت آن شهریار ** جاهدوا عنا نگفت ای بی‌قرار

As (was the case with) Canaan, who in disdain of Noah went up to the top of that great mountain.

هم‌چو کنعان کو ز ننگ نوح رفت ** بر فراز قله‌ی آن کوه زفت

The more he sought deliverance (by turning) towards the mountain, the more was he separated from the place of refuge, 2360

هرچه افزون‌تر همی‌جست او خلاص ** سوی که می‌شد جداتر از مناص