Discourses of Rumi

FIHI MA FIHI V 385If we knew all that there was to know, and allignorance was eliminated, we would be consumedand cease to be. Therefore ignorance is a goodthing, since through it this world continues toexist. Knowledge is also desirable, for it leads tothe awareness of God. Thus, each is a partnerwith the other, and all opposites are joined. Nightis the opposite of day, yet they are partners andboth do the same work. If night lasted forever, oureyes would become dazzled and our brains wouldgo insane. Therefore we rest and sleep at night,and the brain, thought, hand and foot, hearingand sight, all gather strength. By day they expendthese powers.So all things appear in opposition, but to thewise they all work together and are not opposed.Show me an evil in this world without good, or agood thing without evil. For instance, a manintent on murder becomes preoccupied with theman’s wife, and as a result he sheds no blood.There is no doubt that taking the man’s wife isevil, but since this saves her husband’s life she alsosees this as good. Therefore evil and good are onething and inseparable.