Rumi

1207–1273 · Persian Sufi poet & mystic

Jalal al-Din Rumi was a 13th-century Persian poet, Islamic scholar, and Sufi mystic, born in Balkh (in present-day Afghanistan) and later settled in Konya (in present-day Turkey). His vast Divan-e Shams and the Masnavi are landmarks of Persian literature; centuries later, English “versions” by translators such as Coleman Barks made him one of the best-selling poets in the United States — and one of the most freely paraphrased.

Traced to source

1 quote we’ve traced

“Don't grieve. Anything you lose comes round in another form”

Attributed

On the research bench

Commonly pinned on Rumi — under review

6 lines flagged as pinned on Rumi and queued for a full source trace — not yet verified.

“And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.”

Disputed

“Everyone has been made for some particular work, and the desire for that work has been put in every heart.”

Disputed

“Let the beauty of what you love be what you do.”

Disputed

“We are all broken. That's how the light gets in.”

Disputed

“Wherever you stand, be the soul of that place.”

Disputed

“You were born with wings. Why prefer to crawl through life?”

Disputed

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