Rumi's Masnavi - Know that this world full of dessert (viands) and bread is like the open mouth of the crocodile.

Know that this world full of dessert (viands) and bread is like the open mouth of the crocodile.

O thou who scrapest together the means of livelihood, (in thy desire) for worms and morsels do not feel secure from the artfulness of the crocodile, (which is) Time.

A fox falls (and lies) flat under his earth: above his earth are deceptive grains,

In order that the heedless crow may approach them and the crafty one cunningly seize her by the leg.

Since there are a hundred thousand cunning tricks in animals, how (great) must be the cunning of Man who is superior (to all other animals)! 4090

In his hand (he carries) a copy of the Holy Book as (though he were) Zaynu ’l- ‘Ábidín; (but) in his sleeve a vengeful dagger.

He addresses thee smilingly—“O my lord,” (while) in his heart there is a Babylon of sorcery and guileful spells.

(He is) deadly poison, (though) in appearance he is honey and milk. Beware, do not go (on thy way) save in company with a wise (spiritual) preceptor.

All selfish pleasures are a deceit and fraud: round the lightning-flash is a wall of darkness.

The lightning is (but) a brief gleam, false and fleeting, surrounded by darkness; and thy way is long. 4095

By its light thou canst neither read a letter nor ride to thy destination.

But, as a penalty for thy being enthralled by the lightning, the beams of sunrise withdraw themselves from thee.

Mile after mile through the night the lightning's deception leads thee on, without a guide, in a dark wilderness.

Now thou fallest on a mountain, now into a river; now thou wanderest in this direction, now in that.

O seeker of worldly estate, thou wilt never find the guide; and if thou find him, thou wilt avert thy face from him, 4100

Saying, “I have travelled sixty miles on this road, and (now) this guide tells me I have lost my way.

If I give ear to this marvel, I must begin my journey again under his authority.

I have devoted my life to this journey: (I will pursue it) come what may. Begone, O Khwája!”

“(Yes), thou hast journeyed (far), but (only) in opinion (unsubstantial) as lightning: (come), make a tenth part of that journey for the sake of (Divine) inspiration (glorious) as the sunrise.

Thou hast read (the Verse), Opinion cannot serve instead of truth, and (yet) by a lightning-flash like that thou hast been blinded to a rising sun. 4105

Hark, come into our boat, O wretched man, or (at least) tie that boat (of thine) to this boat (of ours).”

He replies, “How should I abandon power and dominion? How should I follow thee blindly?”

A blind man is certainly better off with a guide than (when he goes) alone: in the former case there is (only) one ignominy, while in the latter there are a hundred.

Thou art fleeing from a gnat to a scorpion, thou art fleeing from a dewdrop into an ocean.

Thou art fleeing from thy father's unkindnesses into the midst of scoundrels and mischief and trouble. 4110