Humble as Dust

Sadi was one of the major medieval Persian poets of the 12th century. Here’s a soulful passage on humbleness.

Passage

Thou, O creature of God, vast created of the dust;

therefore, be humble as the dust.

Be not covetous, nor oppressive, nor headstrong.

Thou art from the dust; be not like fire.

When the terrible fire raised his head in pride, the dust prostrated itself in humility.

And since the fire was arrogant and the dust was meek,

from the former were the demons formed, and from the latter mankind.

A. Hart Edwards. The Bustan of Sadi, 1911.