Quatrain 145 from Rubaiyat of Saadi Shirazi

By hamed @hamed | 6 4

گر دشمن من به دوستی بگزینیمسکین چه کند با تو به جز مسکینی


صد جور بکن که همچنان مطبوعیصد تلخ بگو که همچنان شیرینی


Description:

English Translation:

Literal:

"If you choose my enemy as your friend,
what can the poor one do to you except to be poor?

Do a hundred wrongs, you will still be pleasing;
say a hundred bitter things, you will still be sweet."

Poetic:

"If you embrace my foe as your own friend,
What can a pauper do but to depend?

A hundred wrongs you do, I'll still adore,
A hundred bitter words, I'll still implore."


hamed
@hamed Oct. 6, 2024, 7:32 a.m.

Analysis:
This quatrain by Saadi Shirazi offers a profound insight into human relationships, particularly the complexities of friendship and enmity.

The Paradox of Friendship: The quatrain presents a paradoxical situation: if someone chooses the speaker's enemy as a friend, the speaker is powerless. No matter what the enemy does, the speaker will continue to be the "poor" one.
Unconditional Love: Despite the enemy's actions, the speaker expresses unwavering affection, suggesting an unconditional love that is blind to the enemy's faults.
The Power of Love: The speaker's love is so profound that it can withstand any hardship or injustice, making the beloved seem even more desirable.

hamed
@hamed Oct. 6, 2024, 7:32 a.m.

Themes:

Unconditional Love: The central theme is the power of unconditional love and its ability to endure hardship.
Betrayal and Friendship: The quatrain explores the complexities of friendship and the pain of betrayal.
Inequality and Powerlessness: The speaker's position of powerlessness highlights the inequalities that can exist in relationships.

hamed
@hamed Oct. 6, 2024, 7:32 a.m.

Deeper Meaning:
This quatrain offers a philosophical reflection on the nature of love and human relationships. It suggests that true love is often blind to the faults of the beloved, and that it can endure even in the face of betrayal. The speaker's unwavering affection, despite the enemy's actions, is a testament to the enduring power of the human heart.

hamed
@hamed Oct. 6, 2024, 7:32 a.m.

This quatrain is a powerful exploration of the complexities of human relationships, highlighting the enduring nature of love and the resilience of the human spirit.