Discourses of Rumi

308 V DISCOURSES OF RUMI“God is all sufficient,You are the needy ones.”Nearness to God is never attained, exceptthrough devotion and submission. He is the Giverof givers. He fills the skirt of the sea with pearls,He clothes the thorn in the raiment of the rose,He bestows life and spirit upon a handful of dust,all without precedent, all without favorites. Allthe world receives their share from Him.When people hear about a generous personwho bestows valuable gifts and favors, naturallythey want to visit such a giver of wealth, in hopesof receiving a share of that bounty. Since God’sGrace is so well known to the entire world, whydon’t you beg of Him? Why don’t you ask Himfor robes of honor, or a rich gift? Instead, you sitin indolence saying, “If He wants to He will giveto me.” So you never ask Him for anything.A dog, without reason or comprehension,when hungry, comes up to you and wags its tail asif to say, “Give me food. I am hungry by the sightof that food you have. Please give me some.” Adog knows that much. Are you less than a dog?The dog is not content to sleep in ashes and say,