Quatrain 20 from Rubaiyat of Saadi Shirazi

Analysis:

This quatrain by Saadi Shirazi paints a vivid picture of a person who has inflicted so much pain on others that they have now become a victim of their own actions. Let's break down each line:

Line 1: از بس که بیازرد دل دشمن و دوست

"So much has she wounded the hearts of both friend and foe,"
The first line establishes that the subject has caused significant pain to many people, both those who were their enemies and those who were their friends.

Line 2: گویی به گناه مسخ کردندش پوست

"It's as if, as punishment, her skin has been transformed."
This line suggests that the person's actions have had a physical manifestation, as if they have been punished with a physical transformation. It could be a metaphorical way of saying that their actions have hardened their heart or changed their appearance.

Line 3: وقتی غم او بر همه دلها بودی

"When her sorrow was upon everyone's heart,"
Here, the focus shifts to a time when the person was the one suffering. It implies that there was a time when others felt sorry for them.

Line 4: اکنون همه غمهای جهان بر دل اوست

"Now all the world's sorrows are upon her heart."
The final line suggests a karmic retribution. The person who once caused sorrow to others is now burdened with the sorrows of the entire world.

Themes explored in the quatrain:

Karma: The quatrain suggests a belief in karma, where one's actions have consequences, and the pain inflicted on others will eventually be returned.
Empathy: The quatrain emphasizes the importance of empathy and understanding the pain of others.
The consequences of actions: It highlights the idea that our actions have far-reaching consequences, and that the pain we inflict on others can eventually come back to us.

This quatrain is a cautionary tale about the importance of treating others with kindness and compassion. It suggests that those who cause pain will eventually experience it themselves.