Quatrain Four from Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam
گر می نخوری طعنه مزن مستان رابنیاد مکن تو حیله و دستان را
تو غره بدان مشو که می مینخوریصد لقمه خوری که می غلام است آن را
Description:
A more literal translation
If you don't drink wine, don't taunt the drunkards,
Don't scheme or plot with your hands.
Don't be proud that you don't drink wine,
You eat a hundred morsels that wine has enslaved.
A more poetic and interpretive translation
If wine you shun, then mock not those who drink,
Nor weave a web of cunning, sly and think.
Be not so proud, for though you drink no wine,
Your appetite is to its power resigned.
A more contemporary and informal translation
If you're not a drinker, don't judge those who are,
And don't try to play games, it's not very far.
Don't think you're better 'cause you don't drink wine,
You're still a slave to your appetite, it's a sign.
گر می نخوری طعنه مزن مستان را": This line directly translates to "if you don't drink wine, don't taunt the drunkards," but it also implies a sense of tolerance and understanding for different lifestyles.
بنیاد مکن تو حیله و دستان را": This line means "don't scheme or plot with your hands," and suggests avoiding hypocrisy or deceit.
"تو غره بدان مشو که می مینخوری": This line translates to "don't be proud that you don't drink wine," but it also implies that pride or arrogance is a negative trait.
"صد لقمه خوری که می غلام است آن را": This line means "you eat a hundred morsels that wine has enslaved," suggesting that even if one doesn't drink wine, they may still be enslaved to other desires or vices.
Key themes in these lines:
Tolerance: The poem advocates for tolerance and understanding towards those who have different lifestyles.
Hypocrisy: It warns against hypocrisy and the dangers of judging others.
Slavery to desire: The poem suggests that everyone is a slave to some desire or vice, whether it be alcohol or something else.