Omar Khayyám (May 18, 1048 – December 4, 1131), was a Persian mathematician, astronomer, philosopher, and poet, who is widely considered to be one of the most influential scientists of the middle ages. He wrote numerous treatises on mechanics, geography, mineralogy and astronomy. (Click here for full Wikipedia article)
-----
A Book of Verses underneath the Bough,
A Jug of Wine, a Loaf of
Bread- and Thou
Beside me singing in the Wilderness-
Oh,
Wilderness were Paradise enow!
A Hair perhaps divides the False and True...
Ah, make the most of what we yet may spend,
Before we too into the
Dust descend...
As far as you can avoid it, do not give grief to anyone. Never inflict your rage on another. If you hope for eternal rest, feel the pain yourself; but don’t hurt others.
Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life.
Dead yesterdays and unborn tomorrows, why fret about it, if today be sweet.
Don't pursue happiness! Life is as short as a sigh. The dust of people that were once famous turn with the reddish clay on the wheel you are looking at. The universe is a fata morgana; life is a dream.
Drink wine and look at the moon and think of all the civilisations the moon has seen passing by.
Drink wine. This is life eternal. This is all that youth will give you. It is the season for wine, roses and drunken friends. Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life.
Each Morn a thousand Roses brings, you say;
Yes, but where leaves the
Rose of Yesterday?
I have not asked for life. But I try to accept whatever life brings without surprise. And I shall depart again without having questioned anyone about my strange stay here on earth.
I value the lover's sighs of happiness and I despise the hypocrite mumbling his prayers.
In monasteries, seminaries, retreats and synagogues, they fear hell and seek paradise. Those who know the mysteries of God never let that seed be planted in their souls.
Men talk of heaven, - there is no heaven but here; Men talk of hell, - there is no hell but here; Men of hereafters talk and future lives, - O love, there is no other life - but here.
Poor soul, you will never know anything of real importance. You will not uncover even one of life's secrets. Although all religions promise paradise, take care to create your own paradise here and now on earth.
Realise this: one day your soul will depart from your body and you will be drawn behind the curtain that floats between us and the unknown. While you wait for that moment, be happy, because you don't know where you came from and you don't know where you will be going.
Scholars really have nothing to teach you. But from the soft touch of the eyelashes of a woman you will know all there is to know about happiness.
The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ,
Moves on: nor all your
Piety nor Wit
Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line,
Nor all
your Tears wash out a Word of it.
The thoughtful soul to solitude retires.
There was the Door to which I found no Key;
There was the Veil
through which I might not see:
Some little talk awhile of Me and Thee
There
was- and then no more of Thee and Me.
Today is the time of my youth I drink wine because it is my solace; Do not blame me, although it is bitter it is pleasant, It is bitter because it is my life.
Waste not your Hour, nor in the vain pursuit
Of This and That
endeavour and dispute;
Better be jocund with the fruitful Grape
Than
sadden after none, or bitter, Fruit.
When I want to understand what is happening today or try to decide what will happen tomorrow, I look back.
When you have planted the rose of Love into your heart your life has not been in vain.
Yesterday This Day's Madness did prepare;
To-morrow's Silence,
Triumph, or Despair:
Drink! for you know not whence you came, nor why:
Drink!
for you know not why you go, nor where.
-----
(May 18 is also the birthday of Mary McLeod Bethune and Tina Fey.)
Categories: Omar Khayyám, Quotes of the day
KGB Stuff Commentwear E-Mail KGB
Donate via PayPal
