English    Türkçe    فارسی   

4
98-122

  • The more you cudgel it, the more it thrives: it grows fat on blows of the stick.
  • Assuredly the true believer's soul is a porcupine, for it is (made) stout and fat by the blows of tribulation.
  • 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
  • So that their souls became stouter than (all other) souls; for no other class of people suffered that affliction.
  • The hide is afflicted by the medicine (tan-liquor), (but) it becomes sweet like Tá’if leather;
  • And if he (the tanner) did not rub the bitter and acrid (liquor) into it, it would become fetid, unpleasant, and foul-smelling.
  • Know that Man is an untanned hide, made noisome and gross by humours.
  • Give (him) bitter and acrid (discipline) and much rubbing (tribulation), that he may become pure and lovely and exceedingly strong; 105
  • But if you cannot (mortify yourself), be content, O cunning one, if God give you tribulation without choice (on your part),
  • For affliction (sent) by the Friend is (the means of) your being purified: His knowledge is above your contrivance.
  • The affliction becomes sweet (to the sufferer) when he sees happiness: the medicine becomes sweet (to the sick man) when he regards health.
  • He sees victory for himself in the very essence of checkmate; therefore he says, “Kill me, O trusty ones!”
  • This policeman became a (source of) profit in respect of another, but he became reprobate in respect of himself. 110
  • The mercy appertaining to the Faith was cut off from him; the hate inherent in the Devil enfolded him.
  • He became a factory of anger and hatred: know that hate is the root of error and infidelity.
  • How they asked Jesus, on whom be peace, saying, "O Spirit of God, what is the hardest thing to bear of all the hard things in existence?"
  • A sober-minded man said to Jesus, “What is the hardest to bear of all things in existence?”
  • He replied, “O (my dear) soul, the hardest is God's anger, on account of which Hell is trembling as we (are).”
  • He said, “What is the security against this anger of God?” Jesus said, “To abandon thine own anger at once.” 115
  • Therefore, as the policeman became this anger's mine (source), his ugly anger surpassed even (that of) a wild beast.
  • What hope is there for him of (Divine) mercy, unless perchance that graceless man should turn back from that (vile) quality?
  • Although the world cannot do without them, this statement is a (means of) casting (those who hear it) into error.
  • The world cannot do without urine either, but that urine is not clear running water.
  • The lover’s attempted perfidy, and how the beloved scolded him.
  • When that simpleton found her alone, at once he attempted to embrace and kiss her. 120
  • The beauty with awesome mien raised her voice against him, saying, “Do not behave impudently, be mindful of good manners!”
  • He said, “Why, there is privacy, and no people (present): the water at hand, and a thirsty man like me!