In order that ye may not despair over matters that pass you by, nor exult over favours bestowed upon you. For Allah loveth not any vainglorious boaster,-
He through whom the world is not agitated, and who is not agitated by the world, who is free from joy and anger and fear and agitation, he too is dear to me.
Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
There is the great Mass (of nature);--I find the support of my body on it; my life is spent in toil on it; my old age seeks ease on it; at death I find rest in it;--what makes my life a good makes my death also a good. …
The bird of gardens sang unto the rose, / New blown in the clear dawn: “Bow down thy head! / As fair as thou within this garden close, / Many have bloomed and died.” She laughed and said: / “That I am born to fade grieves not my heart; / But never was it a true lover’s part / To vex with bitter words his love’s repose.” …