Rumi

Rumi

1207 – 1273

Jalal al-Din Rumi (1207–1273) was a 13th-century Persian Sufi mystic, jurist, and poet, born in present-day Afghanistan. After the arrival of the wandering mystic Shams-e Tabrizi, who became his spiritual companion and transformative influence, Rumi entered a period of extraordinary creativity, producing the Masnavi β€” a six-volume spiritual poem of over 25,000 verses. His central theme is love: the soul’s longing for reunion with the divine source from which it was separated.

Key works: Masnavi Β· Divan-e Shams-e Tabrizi

Themes

Top quotes by Rumi

  1. β€œBe a lamp, or a lifeboat, or a ladder. Help someone's soul heal.”
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  2. β€œForget safety. Live where you fear to live. Destroy your reputation. Be notorious.”
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  3. β€œOut beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I'll meet you there.”
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  4. β€œRespond to every call that excites your spirit.”
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  5. β€œSell your cleverness and buy bewilderment.”
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  6. β€œPatience will accomplish thy desire, not haste.”

    Masnavi, I.epilogue, trans. E. H. Whinfield

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  7. β€œThis is a subtle truth. Whatever you love you are.”
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  8. β€œThrough love bitter things seem sweet, Through love bits of copper are made gold.”

    Masnavi II.6, trans. E. H. Whinfield

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  9. β€œSeek not water, only show you are thirsty, That water may spring up all around you.”

    Masnavi II.8, trans. E. H. Whinfield

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  10. β€œKeep silence, that you may hear Him speaking Words unutterable by tongue in speech.”

    Masnavi III.5, trans. E. H. Whinfield

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