Rumi's Masnavi - Woe to the unfledged bird that flies up to the zenith and falls into peril!”

Woe to the unfledged bird that flies up to the zenith and falls into peril!”

Intelligence is wings and feathers to a man: when he lacks intelligence, (he must rely on) the intelligence of a guide. 4075

Either be victorious or in search of a victor: either have insight or be in search of one endowed with insight.

Without (possession of) the key, namely, intelligence, this knocking at the door is prompted by self-will, not by right motives.

See a whole world ensnared by self-will and by wounds (harmful things) that look like remedies (beneficial things).

The snake, (terrible) as death, stands (raises itself) on its breast, with a big leaf in its mouth in order to catch its prey.

It stands erect, like a herb, amidst the herbage, (so that) the bird thinks it is the stalk of a plant. 4080

When it (the bird) settles on the leaf for the purpose of eating, it falls into the mouth of the snake and (into the jaws of) death.

A crocodile opens its mouth: its teeth are surrounded by long worms.

The worms were produced by the residue of food left in its teeth; and it gave them lodging there.