Observe which way the people choose to turn,
While serving others learn how to discern!
The devils make themselves look just like men –
Don’t shake hands with just anyone again:
The hunter blows a whistle near his prey,
Deceiving thus the bird, who’s led astray,
It hears what sounds like calling from a friend
And lands inside his trap to meet its end;
A wretch may steal the words of dervishes
To chant tall tales to simple audiences:
The actions of the genuine spread light,
While false pretenders just distort what’s right.
Low beggars with stuffed dolls they feel no shame:
‘Ahmad’, some claimed, was Bu Mosaylem’s name:
He was called ‘liar’ soon, and entered hell,
While Ahmad gave the world those who know well.
The wine of love’s flask smells of musk that’s pure,
While other wines all stink of foul manure!

-Rumi (The Masnavi)