Words of Wisdom

By Mevlana Rumi
~ 13th century Sufi Poet and Mystic ~

Be occupied, then, with what you really value and let the
thief take something else.

Beware! Dont allow yourself to do what you know is

wrong, relying on the thought, Later I will repent and ask
Gods forgiveness.

Brother stand the pain; Escape the poison of your

impulses. The sky will bow to your beauty, if you do. Learn
to light the candle. Rise with the sun. Turn away from the
cave of your sleeping. That way a thorn expands to a rose.
A particular glows with the universal.

Burdens are the foundations of ease and bitter things the

forerunners of pleasure.

Conventional opinion is the ruin of our souls.

Dont allow your animal nature to rule your reason.

Dont let your throat tighten with fear. Take sips of

breath all day and night, before death closes your mouth.

Everyone is so afraid of death, but the real sufis just

laugh: nothing tyrannizes their hearts. What strikes the
oyster shell does not damage the pearl.

Everything in the universe is a pitcher brimming with

wisdom and beauty.

Fasting is the first principle of medicine.

Paradise is surrounded by what we dislike; the fires of hell

are surrounded by what we desire.

Patience is the key to joy.

People of the world dont look at themselves, and so they

blame one another.

Regard a king as someone unconcerned with kingship.

Revile those who flatter you.

Since in order to speak, one must first listen, learn to

speak by listening.

Stay with friends who support you in these. Talk with

them about sacred texts, and how you are doing, and how
they are doing, and keep your practices together.

That which is false troubles the heart, but truth brings

joyous tranquility.

The beginning of pride and hatred lies in worldly desire,

and the strength of your desire if from habit. When an evil
tendency becomes confirmed by habit, rage is triggered
when anyone restrains you.

The intelligent want self-control; children want candy.

The lion who breaks the enemys ranks is a minor hero

compared to the lion who overcomes himself.

The middle path is the way to wisdom.

The rain-weeping and the sun burning twine together to

make us grow. Keep your intelligence white-hot and your
grief glistening, so your life will stay fresh. Cry easily like
a little child.

The sword of reality is the saints protection.

There is no worse sickness for the soul, o you who are
proud, than this pretense of perfection.

This discipline and rough treatment are a furnace to

extract the silver from the dross. This testing purifies the
gold by boiling the scum away.

This discipline and rough treatment are a furnace to

extract the silver from the dross. This testing purifies the
gold by boiling the scum away.

Travelers, it is late. Lifes sun is going to set. During

these brief days that you have strength, be quick and
spare no effort of your wings.

When I am with you, we stay up all night. When you are

not here, I cannot go to sleep. Praise God for these two
insomnias and the difference between them.

When the remedy you have offered only increases the

disease, then leave him who will not be cured, and tell your
story to someone who seeks the truth.

Looking up gives light, although at first it makes you

dizzy.

Loosen the bonds of avarice from your hands and neck.

My friend, the sufi is the friend of the present moment.
To say tomorrow is not our way.

No mirror ever became iron again; No bread ever became

wheat; No ripened grape ever became sour fruit. Mature
yourself and be secure from a change for the worse.
Become the light.

No mirror ever became iron again;

No bread ever became wheat;
No ripened grape ever became sour fruit.
Mature yourself and be secure from a change for the
worse.
Become the light.

No prayer is complete without presence.

O, happy the soul that saw its own faults.

On the way there is no harder pass than this: fortunate

is he who does not carry envy as a companion.

On the way there is no harder pass than this: fortunate

is he who does not carry envy as his companion.

Pale sunlight, pale the wall. Love moves away. The light
changes I need more grace than I thought.