Bly reads Rumi

Praising Manners
Translated by Robert Bly for The Rumi Reader

We should ask God
to help us toward manners. Inner gifts
do not find their way
to creatures without just respect.

If a man or woman flails about, he not only
smashes his house,
he burns the world down.

Your depression is connected to your insolence
and refusal to praise. Whoever feels himself walking
on the path, and refuses to praise—that man or woman
steals from others every day—is a shoplifter!

The sun became full of light when it got hold of itself.
Angels only began shining when they achieved discipline.
The sun goes out whenever the cloud of not-praising comes.
The moment the foolish angel felt insolent, he heard the door close.

This entry was posted by Marianna, on Monday, May 25, 2009. You can leave your response.