Discourses of Rumi

discourse 63Lovers have heartaches no cure can mend, neithersleeping, traveling, nor eating—only the sight ofthe beloved. “Meet the Friend and your sicknesswill end.” This is so true that even if a hypocritesits in the company of believers, under theirinfluence that hypocrite can become a believer inan instant. So God declares:“When they meet those who believe,They will say, ‘We believe.’”How then, when a believer sits with a believer?Since such company has this effect on a hypocrite,consider what benefits it brings to the believer!Consider how wool, in the hands of a wiseweaver becomes a beautiful carpet, and this earth,through association with creative buildersbecomes a fine palace! Since the society of intelligentpeople has such an effect on inanimatethings, then imagine what effect the society ofbelievers has on the believer!Through association with beings of even limitedintellect, inanimate things can take on great