a little Rumi

[Guest guest]

O, how often have knowledge and wit

become as deadly to the wayfarer as any demon or bandit!

Most of those destined for Paradise are simple-minded,

so that they escape from the mischief of philosophy.

Strip yourself of useless learning and vanity,

so that every moment Divine mercy may descend upon you.

Cleverness is the opposite of humbleness and supplication:

give up cleverness and take simplicity as your companion.

Know that cleverness is a trap for victory and ambition:

why should the pure devotee wish to be clever?

The clever are content with an ingenious device;

the simple have left all artifice

to be at rest with the Artificer,

because at breakfast time a mother will have gathered

the little child's hands and feet in repose upon her breast.

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

-- Mathnawi VI:2369-2375

Version by Camille and Kabir Helminski

"Rumi: Jewels of Remembrance"

Threshold Books, 1996

(transliteration courtesy of Yahyá Monastra)

[Guest guest]

Hi MIchael,

This Rumi poem reminds me of a favorite saying.

To give up trick and cleverness would be the cleverest trick of all.

LOve,

Gloria

- Michael Read

Tuesday, February 20, 2001 10:48 PM

a little Rumi

O, how often have knowledge and witbecome as deadly to the wayfarer as

any demon or bandit!Most of those destined for Paradise are

simple-minded,so that they escape from the mischief of

philosophy.Strip yourself of useless learning and vanity,so that

every moment Divine mercy may descend upon you.Cleverness is the

opposite of humbleness and supplication:give up cleverness and take

simplicity as your companion.Know that cleverness is a trap for

victory and ambition:why should the pure devotee wish to be

clever?The clever are content with an ingenious device;the simple

have left all artificeto be at rest with the Artificer,because at

breakfast time a mother will have gatheredthe little child's hands

and feet in repose upon her breast. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ -- Mathnawi VI:2369-2375 Version by Camille and Kabir

Helminski"Rumi: Jewels of Remembrance"Threshold Books,

1996(transliteration courtesy of Yahyá Monastra)