Rumi on knowing ourselves
Suppose you know the definitions of all substances
and their derivatives,
what good is this to you?
Know the true definition of yourself.
That is indispensable.
Then, when you know your own definition, flee from it,
that you may attain to the One who cannot be defined,
O sifter of the dust.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Hadd-e a`y„n o `araz d„nesteh gir
hadd-e khvod-r„ d„’n keh na-bovad zin gozir
Chon be-d„`ni hadd-e khvod zin hadd goriz
t„ `beh bi hadd dar resi ay kh„`k biz
— Mathnawi V:564-565
Version by Camille and Kabir Helminski
“Rumi: Jewels of Remembrance”
Threshold Books, 1996
(Persian transliteration courtesy of Yahy„’ Monastra)
