I had never complained about what life gave me or been upset about my fortune, except when my feet were bare and I couldn't afford shoes. I entered the mosque of Kufa, feeling melancholy, and saw someone without feet. I expressed gratitude for the blessings of God and endured the lack of footwear.

To the eyes of well-fed people,

A roasted chicken on the table is less desirable than a leek leaf.

For those who have no means or strength,

A cooked turnip is a roasted chicken.

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I recall that during my childhood, I was devout, nocturnal, and passionate about asceticism and piety. One night, I was sitting in the presence of my father, may God's blessing be upon him, and we had stayed up all night. I had kept my eyes open, and read the precious Quran, while a group of people slept around us.

I said to my father, "None of these people lift their heads to say a prayer. They have fallen into such a deep sleep of negligence that they seem not to have slept but to have died."

My father replied, "My dear son, if you sleep as well, it is better than falling into the traps of others' appearances."

Pretender* does not see but himself,

Since he has the veil of thought in front.

If an all-seeing eye is granted to you,

You will see no one more helpless than yourself.

* "Pretender" doesn't really fit here. The original word "modda'i" describes someone who thinks highly of himself and considers himself very religious and pure.

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I once heard a wise person say, "No one has ever admitted their ignorance except for the one who, when others are speaking, interrupts and starts talking with others' speech still unfinished."

Wise one, speech has a beginning, and an end.

Don't bring your words in the middle of another's speech.

The Lord of wisdom, culture, and intellect,

Does not speak until He sees silence.

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There is a story about a worshiper who, each night, ate a ton of food and continued his prayer until dawn.

A wise person heard this and commented, "If you had eaten half a bread and then slept, it would have been much more virtuous than this."

Keep your inside empty,

So that you may see the light of knowledge within.

You are empty of wisdom,

Due to being full to the nose of food.

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A dervish, known for his answered prayers, appeared in Baghdad. The news reached Caliph Al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf, who invited him. The caliph requested, "Make a prayer in my favor." The dervish replied, "Oh God, take his life." "For God's sake, what kind of a prayer is this?" said the caliph. The dervish said: "This is a prayer in favor of you and all Muslims."

You powerful and cruel one,

How long will this state remain?

What benefit will you gain from ruling the world?

Your death would be better, as you have been a source people's suffering.