Quatrain 74 from Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam
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7
چون روزی و عمر بیش و کم نتوان کرددل را به کم و بیش دژم نتوان کرد
کار من و تو چنانکه رای من و توستاز موم به دست خویش هم نتوان کرد
Description:
A Note About This Quatrain
This particular rubai of Omar Khayyam is rich in philosophical and existential undertones, making a direct, literal translation quite challenging. The imagery of days and life as fixed quantities, the concept of contentment, and the idea of fate versus free will contribute to the poem's depth and complexity.
English Translation
A more literal translation
Since one cannot increase or decrease a day or a lifetime,
Why should one be upset about little or much?
My work and yours are as our thoughts dictate,
We cannot mold fate with our own hands.
A more poetic and interpretive translation
Days cannot be lengthened, nor life's span made brief,
So why let small things cause such inner grief?
Our actions mirror what we choose to think,
Fate's mold we cannot shape, nor from it shrink.
A contemporary and informal translation
You can't change how long you live, so why stress?
Don't let little things upset you, it's a mess.
Our actions reflect what we think is right,
We can't control our destiny, no matter how we fight.
"چون روزی و عمر بیش و کم نتوان کرد": This line emphasizes the fixed nature of time and life.
"دل را به کم و بیش دژم نتوان کرد": This line suggests that one should not be upset about the amount of possessions or experiences one has.
"کار من و تو چنانکه رای من و توست": This line implies that our actions are determined by our thoughts and choices.
"از موم به دست خویش هم نتوان کرد": This line suggests that we cannot shape our destiny, comparing it to trying to mold wax.
Themes and Interpretations
Acceptance of fate: The poem encourages acceptance of one's fate and the limitations of human control.
Contentment: The rubai suggests that finding contentment is more important than accumulating possessions or experiences.
The power of thought: The poem implies that our thoughts have a significant impact on our lives.
This rubai is a profound meditation on the human condition. The imagery of wax and the fixed nature of time create a powerful visual representation of the limitations of human existence and the importance of finding inner peace.