Discourses of Rumi

discourse 26Rumi said: If I appear lacking in gratitude andappreciation for the kindness and support youshow me, both directly and indirectly, it is not outof arrogance or indifference, nor is it because Idon’t know the importance of returning yourfavor and love. But I am aware from the purity ofyour efforts that you do these things sincerely forthe sake of God, so I leave it to God to thank you.If I concerned myself with thanking you, grantingyou verbal honor and praising you, it would be asif some part of the treasure that God has set asidefor you was already given, some part of yourreward had already been paid.Humble attitudes, offering thanks andapplause—these are worldly pleasures. But whenyou have gone to worldly pains such as thesacrifice of wealth and position, how can worldlypleasure be a satisfactory return? Therefore, I donot offer thanks since that reward should comeentirely from God.