Treasury of Persian Poetry

Powerful is he who is wise"

Through knowledge, an old heart becomes young"

Much hardship I endured for thirty years"

I revived the Persians with this Persian tongue"

If Iran is no more, let me not be"

In this land, let not one soul survive"

Harm not even an ant carrying a grain"

For it has life, and sweet life is dear"

The heavens gained nothing from my coming"

Nor did my leaving add to their splendor"

When life ends, what matter sweet or bitter"

When the cup is full, what Baghdad or Balkh"

The cloud came and wept upon the green"

Without rose-colored wine, one should not live"

Love is that flame which when it ignites"

Burns all but the beloved"

Whoever has wisdom and faith in mind"

Better to be enemy of one's own ego"

Listen to the reed how it tells a tale"

Complaining of separations"

We are from the sea and to the sea we return"

We are from above and to above we ascend"

The more awake, the more one suffers"

The more aware, the paler the face"

Human beings are members of a whole"

In creation of one essence and soul"

Who sits with the wicked sees no good"

Who sits with the good sees no evil"

If you seek to be better than yourself"

Seek those who are better as companions"

The friend came but did not befriend me"

Sought my heart, yet brought no fire to me"

To whom but the morning breeze can I tell"

What that fresh rose did to my heart and soul"

I said: I bear your sorrow. She said: It shall pass"

I said: Be my moon. She said: If it rises"

The day of separation and night of parting ended"

I drew this omen and the star passed, work concluded"