My dear heart, never think you are better than others. Listen to their sorrows with compassion. If you want peace, don't harbor bad thoughts, do not gossip and don't teach what you do not know.
RumiRead
Listen, O drop, give yourself up without regret, and in exchange gain the Ocean. Listen, O drop, bestow upon yourself this honor, and in the arms of the Sea be secure. Who indeed should be so fortunate? An Ocean wooing a drop! In God's name, in God's name, sell and buy at once! Give a drop, and take this Sea full of pearls.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of self-sacrifice for a greater purpose and achieving fulfillment.
In this quote, Rumi uses the metaphor of a drop of water giving itself to the ocean to illustrate the idea of surrendering individuality for the sake of a greater existence. He encourages embracing this transformation, suggesting that by letting go of the self, one can gain infinite wisdom and security in the unity with the universe, symbolized by the ocean. This profound surrender is seen as an honor and a fortunate exchange, celebrating the deep connection between the individual and the divine.
Themes
SacrificeTransformationSelflessnessUnityWisdom
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about pursuing one's dreams and embracing change.
More from Rumi
All quotes →The Law of Wonder rules my life at last, _x000D_ ...I burn each second of my life to Love _x000D_ Each second of my life burns out in Love _x000D_ In each leaping second Love lives afresh.
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Lovers have heartaches _x000D_ That can't be cured by drugs _x000D_ Or sleep, _x000D_ Or games, _x000D_ But only by seeing their beloved.
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Every fragile beauty, every perfect forgotten sentence, you grieve their going away, but that is not how it is. Where they come from never goes dry. It is an always flowing spring.
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Whatever you keep hidden in your heart, God _x000D_ manifests in you outwardly. Whatever the root of _x000D_ the tree feeds on in secret, affects the bough and _x000D_ the leaf.
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Come on sweetheart let's adore one another before there is no more of you and me
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