(Masnavi Book 3: 66) The advantages of Deliberation

The means of preventing one's self from being swindled in sale and purchase.

A certain friend said to the Prophet, “I am always being swindled in commerce.

3495. The deceit of every one who sells or buys is like magic and leads me off the track.” He (the Prophet) said, “When you art afraid of being duped in a commercial transaction, stipulate (that you shalt have) for yourself three days (in which) to choose,

For deliberation is assuredly from the Merciful (God); your haste is from the accursed Devil.” When you throw a morsel of bread to a dog, he (first) smells, then he eats, O careful one.

He smells with the nose, we too (who are endowed) with wisdom smell it (the object submitted to us) with the purified intelligence.

3500. This earth and the (heavenly) spheres were brought into existence by God with deliberation (extending) to six days;

Otherwise, He was able—“Be, and it is”—to bring forth a hundred earths and heavens (from non- existence).

Little by little till forty years (of age) that Potentate makes the human being a complete man, Although He was able in a single moment to set flying (raise up) fifty persons from non- existence.

Jesus by means of one prayer was able to make the dead spring up (to life) without delay:

3505. Is the Creator of Jesus unable, without delay, to bring (full-grown) men in manifold succession (into existence)?

This deliberation is for the purpose of teaching you that you must seek (God) slowly without

(any) break.

A little rivulet which is moving continually does not become defiled or grow fetid.

From this deliberation are born felicity and joy: this deliberation is the egg, fortune is like the birds (hatched from the egg).

How should the bird resemble the egg, O obstinate one, though it is produced from the egg?

3510. Wait till your limbs, like eggs, hatch birds ultimately (at the Resurrection)! Though the serpent's egg resembles the sparrow's egg in (outward) likeness, the distance (between them) is far.

Again, though the seed of the quince resembles the seed of the apple, recognise the differences, O honoured (sir).

Leaves are of the same colour to look at, (but) fruits, every one, are of a diverse sort.

The leaves, (namely) the bodies, are similar, but every soul lives with a (different) produce

(which it yields).

3515. In the bazaar the people go (about their business) all alike, (but) one is in glee and another sorrowful.

Even so in death: we go all alike, (but) half of us are losers and (the other) half are (fortunate

as) emperors.