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
Know mankind well, don't degrade every man as evil, and don't exalt every man thinking he is good. He who cannot discover himself; cannot discover the world.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the importance of understanding human nature and oneself to comprehend the world.
Rumi highlights the complexity of human character, advising us against the extremes of labeling everyone as either entirely good or evil. By advocating for a balanced view of humanity, he suggests that real self-discovery and understanding of the world come from an acceptance of this complexity, which ultimately enriches our perspective and interactions with others.
Themes
Self-DiscoveryHuman NatureUnderstandingWisdomBalance
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about personal growth, one might say, 'As Rumi wisely pointed out, knowing mankind well is essential for understanding ourselves and the world around us.'
More from Rumi
All quotes βThe 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.
RumiRead
Lovers have heartaches _x000D_ That can't be cured by drugs _x000D_ Or sleep, _x000D_ Or games, _x000D_ But only by seeing their beloved.
RumiRead
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.
RumiRead
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.
RumiRead
Come on sweetheart let's adore one another before there is no more of you and me
RumiRead
Similar quotes
He who wants to become a Bhakta must be strong, must be healthy.
Swami VivekanandaRead
The trail is the thing, not the end of the trail. Travel too fast, and you miss all you are traveling for.
Louis L'AmourRead
The soul loves to meditate, for in contact with the Spirit lies its greatest joy. If, then you experience mental resistance during meditation, remember that reluctance to meditate comes from the ego; it doesn't belong to the soul.
Paramahansa YoganandaRead
Littera scripta manet - 'The written word will remain'. That's true, but it won't be that much comfort to me.
Christopher HitchensRead
A wise man is superior to any insults which can be put upon him, and the best reply to unseemly behavior is patience and moderation.
MoliereRead
Pride was the belt you used to hold your pants up when you had no pants.
Stephen KingRead